Canadian music legend Joni Mitchell among Kennedy Center Honors recipients
CTV
The Kennedy Center Honors returned to tradition this year with a real-life gala Sunday night and the presence of the president for the first time since 2016.
The lifetime achievement awards for artistic excellence were presented to Motown Records creator Berry Gordy, "Saturday Night Live" mastermind Lorne Michaels, actress-singer Bette Midler, opera singer Justino Diaz and folk music legend Joni Mitchell.
This year's event at the Kennedy Center's main opera house represented a return to political normalcy, with U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden attending.
U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump skipped the show the first three years he was in office after several of the artists honoured in 2017, his first year in office, threatened to boycott a White House reception if he participated. Last year, the pandemic forced a delay and major changes to the program.
The Bidens drew a sustained standing ovation when they entered the presidential box at the opera house. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed the national anthem and encouraged the audience to sing the final lines together.
