Posted on 12/05/2004 5:30:55 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Music legend Elton John, opera diva Joan Sutherland and conductor John Williams - along with actors Warren Beatty, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee - were being honored Sunday with a star-studded tribute at The Kennedy Center.
The six recipients of the 27th annual Kennedy Center Honors were being saluted for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
First lady Laura Bush greeted the honorees - as well as actors Louis Gossett Jr., Robert Downey Jr. and Bo Derek - at a reception at the White House Sunday afternoon. Later, President and Mrs. Bush were honored guests at the gala event.
John, 57, has sold more than 60 million albums in three decades with hits such as "Rocket Man" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."
Winning the honor "is about the icing on the cake," John said Sunday as he walked into the White House reception. "It's incredible for someone who's British to be given such an accolade from America, which has given me so much already in my career."
Australian-born soprano Sutherland, 78, has been called "perhaps the most beautiful voice of the 20th century."
Composer and conductor Williams, 72, has won five Academy Awards, 17 Grammys and two Emmys and is best known for his film scores for "Jaws," the "Star Wars" trilogy, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "E.T."
Beatty, 67, is an actor, writer, producer and director. He has been nominated for Academy Awards 15 times, and won an Oscar in 1982 as best director for "Reds."
Kennedy Center officials said husband-and-wife acting team Davis, 86, and Dee, 80, "have thrown open many a door previously shut tight to African-American artists."
Dee has appeared in films and plays including Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun." In 1965 she became the first African-American woman to play major roles in the American Shakespeare Festival.
Davis was cited for a half-century career as a playwright, screenwriter, director, producer and actor, including the 1970 film "Cotton Comes to Harlem." He is also known for delivering the eulogy at Malcolm X's 1965 funeral.
Why would the White House present any honor/award (or the time of day) to a Leftwing whacko like Elton John?
Oh great, "let's not be judgmental!" The clueless philistines honor their very enemies.
And did the rocket man throw a political tantrum as he has in the past? Glad to see John Williams honored. He's a brilliant composer.
They didn't have a say in picking them. ??
What? What? No Michael Jackass salute???
And Bo is pretty conservitive too, which is why you don't see her much anymore now that the leftists run Hollywood.
How very gracious our President and First Lady are - even to those who hate them.
I know Bo Derek is a Republican...are Gossett and Downey as well?
Why else would these lesser known actors be invited?
At least Bo knows Republicanism.
They got this backwards. It should read: Music diva Elton John, opera legend Joan Sutherland
Considering his lengthy criminal record for drug abuse and the lifestyle that implies, I doubt Robert Downey,Jr. is a Republican.
Forget Elton, what about Robert Downey Jr?? Holy crap!! Here`s a guy who has been busted more times for heroin cocaine and guns than Tony Montana himself, and this POS is getting honored? This prick is lucky he`s even in this country never mind out of jail, and this scumbag is being honored? Holy smoke sh*t fire save matches! That`s Hollywood for you. Ten billion chances this bum got, but now that he hasn`t been busted for heroin or cocaine longer than 2 seconds lets give him an award. What an insult to Laura Bush, and I hope she is not doing this under pressure because this probably the lowest thing she has ever done in my opinion. For the life of me I can`t imagine why she is involved in this.
Bo is one thing, but I believe all the others are extreme lefto liberals. And didn't Elton John recently say after Bush was reelelected that the Bush administration was the worst thing thats ever happened to America?Like hes a citizen or something?Im surprised he didnt spit in the Presidents face. If Im wrong about this, someone correct me.
I doubted it too but I can't see why else he would have been invited.
Was the beaded one in his best behavior? Did lightning strike when he shook hands with Pres. Bush?
Elton WHO??
Oh, the retard who thinks he is a diva. Liberalism at its core.
I could see Kerry honoring Chuck Heston, couldn't you?
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