It should come as no surprise to the members of the Eagles that they have been selected to receive the Kennedy Center Honors.
The band was also selected in 2015; however, they were forced to defer the honor for a year due to Glenn Frey undergoing surgery. Frey died on January 18.
On Thursday, the Kennedy Center announced that, joining the Eagles at this year’s honors, would be James Taylor, Mavis Staples, Argentine pianist Martha Argerich and actor Al Pacino.
The Eagles issues a statement, saying “We accept this honor in memory of our comrade and fellow traveler, Eagles founder Glenn Frey. The members of the band hailed from different regions of this great nation and we always felt very fortunate that our music was embraced by people from all walks of life, all over the world.” Frey’s widow, Cindy Millican Frey, will sit with the other members of the band at the ceremony.
Taylor, who started as one of the first artists signed to the Beatles’ Apple Records, said “The prospect of attending the Kennedy Center Honors again, this time as an honoree, is astonishing. I am deeply moved to be included in such august company.”
Taylor career has included such standards as Fire and Rain, You’ve Got a Friend (written by Carole King who was honored last year), Carolina in My Mind, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) and Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight.
Mavis Staples rose to acclaim as a member of the Staples Singers who brought gospel sensibilities to 70’s soul music with such hits as I’ll Take You There, Heavy Makes You Happy and If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me). She forged a very successful solo career that continues today with the release of Livin’ on a High Note in February.
The honorees will be saluted at an all-star gala on December 4 at the Kennedy Center with the proceedings shown on CBS on December 27.
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