The annual gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts features personalized tributes with performances and testimonials from fellow artists.

Simpson’s grown more acquainted with the Dead’s music in recent years, particularly as he joined some of the band for the Dead Ahead Festival in Mexico at the beginning of 2024. He told Uncut magazine that learning Jerry Garcia’s guitar playing gave him renewed inspiration.

Those honored this year are Francis Ford Coppola, director and filmmaker; Grateful Dead rock band; Bonnie Raitt, singer, songwriter and guitarist; Arturo Sandoval, jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer;

Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt and Arturo Sandoval are among the recipients of the 47th annual Kennedy Center Honors. The ceremony will air Sunday, Dec. 22 on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval and The Apollo will receive one of the arts’ highest honors on Sunday, Dec. 22.

The musicians were honored alongside Francis Ford Coppola and Arturo Sandoval in an event that took place on December 8 and aired yesterday on CBS