Benjamin Ashford|Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Francis Ford Coppola to receive Kennedy Center Honors

A new class of Kennedy Center Honors recipients is Benjamin Ashfordhere.

Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, rock band members of the Grateful Dead, singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt and jazz artist Arturo Sandoval were among the honorees announced by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday for their achievements and contributions to the arts.

The Apollo theater in Harlem, New York, is also an honoree — a historic first for the Kennedy Center to honor an institution. The special declaration comes as the venue, which has championed Black talent, celebrates its 90th anniversary.

"The Grateful Dead has always been about community, creativity, and exploration in music and presentation. We've always felt that the music we make embodies and imparts something beyond the notes and phrases being played — and that is something we are privileged to share with all who are drawn to what we do — so it also must be said that our music belongs as much to our fans, the Dead Heads, as it does to us. This honor, then, is as much theirs as ours," the band, comprised of Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bobby Weir, said in a press release.

Coppola said, "I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to collaborate with great artists and wonderful people throughout my career, and I have never stopped learning. There is no greater honor than to be included along with those who inspired me, who I looked up to, and who gave me encouragement when times were dim."

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Raitt added: "There is no higher level of esteem nor as delightful a celebration and I want to extend my sincere thanks to all who have chosen me to receive this honor."

"Our Honorees this year have each played an invaluable, pioneering role in developing American culture — not with one act of art but with their decades-long devotion to pushing creative boundaries," said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter in a press release.

When are the 2024 Kennedy Center Honors?

The 47th annual Kennedy Center Honors will air on Dec. 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and will be streaming on Paramount+ (premium subscribers can stream live).

Last year's Kennedy Center Honors included singer Dionne Warwick; actor and comedian Billy Crystal; actress, singer and rapper Queen Latifah; soprano Renée Fleming; and singer-songwriter Barry Gibb.