Watch Sturgill Simpson Perform ‘Ripple’ For Grateful Dead At Kennedy Center Honors
Watch the heartfelt performance and other Dead-related highlights from the recent ceremony in Washington D.C.
By Andy Kahn Dec 23, 2024 • 7:36 am PST

As reported, the Grateful Dead were among the honorees at the 47th Kennedy Center Honors ceremony in Washington D.C. that premiered last night on CBS. Highlights from the television special shared by the network include Sturgill Simpson leading a performance of “Ripple” as part of the celebration of the Grateful Dead.
Singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt, jazz trumpeter/pianist Arturo Sandoval, film director Francis Ford Coppola and New York City concert venue The Apollo Theater were also recognized at the 47th Kennedy Center Honors.
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Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann represented the Grateful Dead at the Kennedy Center Honors. Talk show host David Letterman, and actors Chloë Sevigny and Miles Teller spoke on behalf of the Grateful Dead. Jerry Garcia’s daughter Trixie Garcia and Phil Lesh's son Grahame Lesh were also seated near Weir, Hart and Kreutzmann.
Grahame Lesh played guitar and sang during the musical tribute to the Grateful Dead. Lesh was joined by Wolf Bros. bassist Don Was, Dead & Company/Wolf Bros. keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and Goose guitarist Rick Mitarotonda, along with drummers Terence Higgins and Kendrick Scott.
The band backed Maggie Rogers and Leon Bridges on a rendition of “Friend Of The Devil.” The tribute also featured Dave Matthews, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks staging a performance of “Sugaree.” The festivities came to a close with everyone coming together for “Not Fade Away.”
The all-star collective also offered a take on “Ripple,” with Sturgill Simpson singing lead on the song co-written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. For part of the performance, video of Garcia performing “Ripple,” was projected on the screen flanking band. An image of Phil Lesh was shown next to Grahame Lesh while he sang one of the song’s verses.
Watch Sturgill Simpson steer a heartfelt performance of “Ripple,” plus Rogers and Bridges’ singing “Friend Of The Devil,” the show-closing “Not Fade Away” and other Dead-related highlights from the 47th Kennedy Center Honors: