Washington (AFP)

The funk group Earth, Wind & Fire and the famous children's TV show "Sesame Street", which has just turned 50, were honored Sunday by the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, DC 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.

Although no tribute was paid to him on stage, his colleagues held on the red carpet to greet the memory of Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who animated the characters of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch until last year and who died at age 85, mid-day Sunday.

"We are all happy to be here together tonight, it was an inspiration to all of us," said Leslie Carrara Rudolph, the puppeteer behind Abby Cadabby.

"This is an opportunity to pay tribute to Caroll, he's been in the show since his debut" in 1969, added David Rudman, who gives life to Cookie Monster.

Earth, Wind & Fire, one of the greatest funk bands in history, known for its hits like "September" or "Boogie Wonderland", was also rewarded, a sensation "only comparable to getting married", laughs Philip Bailey, percussionist and singer of the group, present in Washington with Verdine White (the brother of Maurice White, founder and singer of the group died in 2016) and Ralph Johnson.

The Groove Apostles, who have won six Grammys over the course of their career, are the first black American band to receive the Kennedy Center Award.

- Spielberg and Metallica -

The actress Sally Field, twice Oscar winner for her roles in "Norma Rae" (1979) and "The Seasons of the Heart" (1984), was also in the spotlight of this evening, where was invited all-Washington.

XXL cast on stage to pay homage to him: Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Pierce Brosnan.

"If there is one actor to imitate, in his choices, the amount of work shot, and the final result of his artistic talent, it is Sally Field," said Tom Hanks, who interpreted his son in the mythical "Forrest Gump".

"It was beautiful to fall in love with her," cooed on the red carpet Pierce Brosnan, referring to their characters in the movie "Madame Doubtfire".

The Eagles' Don Henley introduced rock and country singer Linda Ronstadt, who has not been able to sing since she has Parkinson's.

In a beautiful mix of genres, composer and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas has seen Lars Ulrich, the drummer of Metallica, pay tribute to him.

The ceremony was 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, was not present this year, as in the last two editions.

State Secretary Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin represented his government.

© 2019 AFP