Kennedy Center Honors: 20 Greatest Performances of All Time

CBS
Kennedy Center Honors

Kennedy Center Honors
1. Tina Turner (2005)
2. Elton John (2004)
3. Carole King (2015)
4. Led Zeppelin (2012)
5. Carol Burnett (2003)
6. John Kander and Fred Ebb (1998)
7. Bruce Springsteen (2009)
8. Mel Brooks (2009)
9. The Who (2008)
10. Paul McCartney (2010)
11. Paul Simon (2002)
12. Neil Diamond (2011)
13. Angela Lansbury (2000)
14. Johnny Cash (1996)
15. James Stewart (1983)
16. Stephen Sondheim (1993)
17. Lucille Ball (1986)
18. Brian Wilson (2007)
19. Meryl Streep (2011)
20. Bob Dylan (1997)

Over its first four decades, the annual Kennedy Center Honors event has distinguished itself as one of the best TV programs of each year as well as a highly coveted award for entertainers. Held in Washington, D.C., producers and officials choose five artists to honor each December for the two-hour CBS show. Let’s look back now at our choices as the 20 greatest performances in the program’s history with this photo gallery. Our selections include a high-spirited version of “Proud Mary” by Beyonce for Tina Turner in 2005, the rock group Heart belting out “Stairway to Heaven” for Led Zeppelin in 2012, a cavalcade of comedy stars honoring Carol Burnett in 2003, and Aretha Franklin singing her classic song “Natural Woman” to honor its writer Carole King in 2015.

Only Beyonce could bring the same intensity to “Proud Mary” as rock legend Turner. With back-up dancers and fiery dresses, Beyonce gave one of the most memorable performances in KCH history.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ioGgZhgNI

Heather Headley brought the roof down with her gospel-tinged version of the classic tune “Your Song.” Backed by a gospel choir, it was especially poignant since Headley starred in the Broadway productions of Elton John musicals “The Lion King” and “Aida.”
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W7BqxNduDU

The legendary Aretha Franklin, a previous honoree herself, surprised everyone with her appearance to end the show. She sang and played piano on the classic King song “Natural Woman.”
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHsnZT7Z2yQ

It even made Robert Plant cry. The final performance of the evening was “Stairway to Heaven” by Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart along with Jason Bonham on drums, a rock band, orchestra and gospel choir.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFxOaDeJmXk

The final tribute of each ceremony is typically reserved for a famous music star, but not this time. Dressed in famous Bob Mackie costumes, this all-star tribute featured Julie Andrews, Bernadette Peters, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Elaine Stritch, Florence Henderson, Chita Rivera, John Schneider, Scott Bakula and more.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVPdG47Ls9g

An all-star group of entertainers from the duo’s Broadway musicals took the stage. Alan Cumming, Joel Grey, Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth and Liza Minnelli sang tunes from “Cabaret,” “Chicago,” and more.
Watch the clips here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S39tHlMhtY&list=PLlRJQoTgUpkeZR6EDflkSf3W153ADHWmP&index=4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MFY4lfiPUw&list=PLlRJQoTgUpkeZR6EDflkSf3W153ADHWmP&index=5

You’ve never seen a funnier speech on a KCH tribute special that the one by Jon Stewart for Springsteen. It involved jokes about New Jersey, his Gremlin, fans, and Bob Dylan.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jqNXphenus

The comedy legend wrote songs for almost of all of his films, so having a large collection of admirers perform the tunes was a great idea. People on stage included Martin Short, Harry Connick, Jr., Matthew Broderick, Richard Kind, Gary Beach, Jack Black and Matthew Morrison.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJn8hu00Gao

Not many people in the audience knew who Bettye LaVette was. Even fellow nominee Barbra Streisand wanted to know more after her moving performance of “Love Reign O’er Me.”
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJi6maTueSc

Two legends themselves — Mavis Staples and James Taylor — teamed up for the last tune of the tribute. They combined classic Beatles songs “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude” along with a choir for an inspirational ending.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzK8is_682k

Not all of the great KCH moments came during song or dance performances. The introduction by Steve Martin of his long-time friend was one of the funniest in show history.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVMLo07l94s

For the final song of the tribute, previous KCH recipient Smokey Robinson led an inspiring version of the classic “Sweet Caroline.” It even featured an appearance by song inspiration Caroline Kennedy and a mob of sports fans.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOrBeARPvJw

Glenn Close led off this tribute to the stage, film and TV legend. Many Broadway stars took part in singing some of her classic songs, including Nathan Lane, Len Cariou, Marin Mazzie, Donna Murphy and Karen Ziemba. The entire company brings tears to Lansbury’s eyes with “Mame” to end the segment.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbE1OpXPNaA

Nothing would bring tears to this father’s eyes more than his daughter Rosanne Cash singing his classic song “Walk the Line.” She then teams up with Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, and Lyle Lovett for the inspiring “I’ll Fly Away.”
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu1EFVX03eU

The honoree had to remove his glasses to wipe the tears when the Air Force choral group came on stage. They were led in song by Carol Burnett with two tunes from his films: “Easy to Love” and “Auld Lang Syne.”
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyeUCLNRXbg

Several top stars joined a wide-ranging retrospective of the Broadway legend’s career. After tunes by Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander, and Scott Bakula, the highlight was when Angela Lansbury sang “Send in the Clowns.”
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxAnVUnLb5k

Her former husband and partner Desi Arnaz had died just five days prior to the ceremony. He still made his presence known with a note he had written prior to his death and read by Robert Stack. Following that emotional moment, TV actresses Bea Arthur, Valerie Harper and Pam Dawber performed.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkZUUTbzDVI

It was an inspired choice to have the boys choir Libera perform for The Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson. They closed the show with a choral rendition of “Love and Mercy,” and then beach balls filled the auditorium.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr5Pkz7rFKk

The tribute started with comments by Tracey Ullman, Robert De Niro and Mike Nichols. Then former co-stars and friends Kevin Kline, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt took over with their rendition of “She’s Me Pal.”
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnEfIHrGNxg

Bruce Springsteen got to honor one of his idols with a haunting version of “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” The somewhat reclusive singer-songwriter seemed quite touched The Boss would join his tribute that night.
Watch the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa0fOE-x84k

Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS
Photo Credit: CBS