Washington (AFP)
The funk group Earth, Wind & Fire and the famous children's TV show "Sesame Street", which has just celebrated its 50th birthday, will be honored on Sunday by the prestigious Kennedy Center of Washington, during a gala ceremony.
"Sesame Street" is the first TV show to receive the honors of the Kennedy Center, awarded each year to the big names of American culture. This ceremony will be an opportunity to pay homage to Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who animated the characters of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch until last year and whose death was learned at age 85, mid-day Sunday.
Earth, Wind & Fire, one of the greatest funk bands in history, known for its hits like "September" or "Boogie Wonderland", will also be rewarded. The groove apostles, who have won six Grammys over the course of their career, will be represented by three of their musicians: Philip Bailey, Verdine White (the brother of Maurice White, founder and singer of the band who died in 2016) and Ralph Johnson.
Will also be honored for this evening, where is invited the all-Washington, actress Sally Field, twice Oscar winner for her roles in "Norma Rae" (1979) and "The Seasons of the Heart" (1984), the rock and country singer Linda Ronstadt, who can not sing since she has Parkinson's disease, and composer and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.
The ceremony will be hosted by LL Cool J, the first rapper to be named to the list of distinguished artists by the Kennedy Center in 2017.
Traditionally, the President of the United States is present at this ceremony, but Donald Trump - whose popularity in the world of American culture is very low - will not be present this year, as in the last two editions.
© 2019 AFP