Coppola, Raitt, Grateful Dead among latest Kennedy Center honorees

Director Francis Ford Coppola, blues singer and guitarist Bonnie Raitt and legendary rock band The Grateful Dead are among the honorees in this year’s John F. Kennedy Center honors, the center announced Thursday.

The lifetime achievement awards will be handed out at the 47th annual event in Washington in December, which is traditionally attended by the sitting president.

Coppola, whose award-winning films include “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now,” said the award is a testament to those who have worked with him.

“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,” he said in a statement. “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.”

The Grateful Dead will be represented by its surviving members; Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir.

Other honorees this year include jazz musician Arturo Sandoval and the Apollo Theater in New York City. The Apollo is the first institution to be given an honor, due to its iconic status in launching and celebrating music careers for 90 years.

Past Honors recipients include Gladys Knight, U2, Dick Van Dyke, Al Pacino, Tom Hanks, Carlos Santana and Bette Midler, among others.

The 47th annual Kennedy Center Honors is poised to air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Dec. 3.