Truckin’ To D.C.: Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt & Arturo Sandoval Among 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees

The Grateful Dead's songs filled the air in Washington D.C. on Sunday as the legendary band was the last of the honorees at the 47th Kennedy Center Honors. Singer-songwriter/guitarist Bonnie Raitt, famed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, trumpeter/pianist Arturo Sandoval and The Apollo Theater were also feted at the star-studded ceremony.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were in the house for one last Kennedy Center Honors before they leave office in January. “In the San Francisco Bay at an inflection point in history, the Grateful Dead have long since transcended 1960s counterculture,” Biden said of the Grateful Dead during a ceremony held at the White House before the ceremony. “Technical virtuosos fiercely dedicated to their craft, they fused decades and dozens of musical styles to create a whole new American sound. Experimental, innovative and brave.

“Their lyrics tell the story of dreamers and rebels, by iconic jams or just a performance, they’re not just that they’re an ongoing conversation with generations of ‘Doo-Dah’ fans with hundreds and hundreds of songs. Record of 59 top 40 albums, 59. 23,000 concerts from Woodstock to Egypt’s great pyramids. One of the most popular bands ever to be watched live in concert,” Biden added.

Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann represented the Grateful Dead on Sunday. The late Phil Lesh's son, Grahame Lesh participated in the musical tribute and Jerry Garcia’s daughter Trixie attended on his behalf.

As Relix reported, Grahame Lesh was joined in a house band assembled for the musical tribute to the Grateful Dead by Don Was, Terence Higgins, Sturgill Simpson, Kendrick Scott, Rick Mitarotonda and Jeff Chimenti. The all-star ensemble initially backed Maggie Rogers and Leon Bridges on “Friend Of The Devil” before Sturgill Simpson and Grahame Lesh shared vocal duties on “Ripple.”

Next came a “Sugaree” led by Dave Matthews, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks. The ceremony and tribute to the Grateful Dead came to a close with a rousing “Not Fade Away” featuring all of the aforementioned musicians.

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Earlier in the night, Bonnie Raitt was the focus of the ceremony. Tributes included Susan Tedeschi performing “Walking Blues” with Keb’ Mo’, Brandi Carlile and Sheryl Crow teaming for “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” Matthews and Emmylou Harris dueting on “Angel From Montgomery” and a “Nick Of Time” featuring Crow, James Taylor, Jackson Browne and more. Sandoval was feted by Chris Botti, Cimafunk and Trombone Shorty.

CBS will broadcast the 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, December 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. The special will be available to stream live and on demand via the CBS app and Paramount+.