Tributes, and never politics, play heart stage at The Kennedy Middle honors : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8256x5504+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa6%2F72%2Fd8adce5240d1bb2cc05bf332fcc4%2Fap25342080876834.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8256x5504+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa6%2F72%2Fd8adce5240d1bb2cc05bf332fcc4%2Fap25342080876834.jpg" class="img" alt="From left, Shannon Tweed Simmons, 2025 Kennedy Center Honoree and member of rock band KISS Gene Simmons, Gigi Criss, 2025 Kennedy Center Honoree and member of rock band KISS Peter Criss, Erin Stanley and 2025 Kennedy Center Honoree and member of rock band KISS Paul Stanley pose on the red carpet for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts." fetchpriority="high"/> From left, Shannon Tweed Simmons, 2025 Kennedy Middle Honoree and member of rock band KISS Gene Simmons, Gigi Criss, 2025 Kennedy Middle Honoree and member of rock band KISS Peter Criss, Erin Stanley and 2025 Kennedy Middle Honoree and member of rock band KISS Paul Stanley pose on the crimson carpet for the forty eighth Kennedy Middle Honors on the Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts. Kevin Wolf/AP/FR33460 AP cover caption

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Kevin Wolf/AP/FR33460 AP The three residing members of the rock band KISS walked onto the crimson carpet on the Kennedy Middle Sunday night time. No make-up, and sporting tuxes as a substitute of spandex, however they have been swarmed by the press just like the rock stars they're. Different large names throughout leisure have been within the constructing, too — Gloria Gaynor, Sylvester Stallone, George Strait and Michael Crawford.

However it was President Trump who was the star of the present.

It was the Kennedy Middle Honors – the primary since Trump put in himself as chair of the middle's board. Trump stated he was carefully concerned with selecting the honorees, and Sunday, he grew to become the primary president to host the awards. Earlier this August, Trump broke from custom and introduced the names of the honorees.

"That is the best night on the Kennedy Middle," he advised the gang from the stage, earlier than joking about renaming the constructing the Trump-Kennedy Middle.

For essentially the most half, the presenters stayed away from politics and shared private tales associated to the honorees.

Actor and producer Sylvester Stallone was the primary star to be honored. Composer Invoice Conti took the stage to carry out choices of his rating from the film Rocky. The actor Kurt Russell reminisced about working with him on Tango and Money. "When Sly offers you a love faucet, it is like a sledgehammer hitting your shoulder," he stated.

Actor Kelsey Grammer took the lead in honoring Phantom of the Opera star Michael Crawford. Forward of the present, Grammer stated the Kennedy Middle Honors was an occasion he is revered and took part in for the previous couple of a long time, and he praised Trump's curiosity in investing within the heart. "The phrase is, it was just about falling down," he stated on the crimson carpet. "So I am actually enthusiastic about it."

On stage, most presenters stayed away from commenting on politics. Grammy-winning singer Vince Gill honored nation celebrity George Strait. Dubbed "The King of Nation Music," Strait is likely one of the best-selling nation musicians of all time. Gill carried out the George Strait track "Troubadour." Additionally honoring Strait have been country-duo Brooks and Dunn and Miranda Lambert.

Singer Elle King paid tribute to disco star Gloria Gaynor, calling her Queen of the discotheques, and performing her hit, "I Will Survive." Content material creator Montana Tucker launched the gospel acts performing for Gaynor.

Earlier this August, Trump broke from custom and introduced the names of the honorees. KISS guitarist Ace Frehley died earlier this October. "We will mourn him, and rejoice what we completed," stated KISS singer Paul Stanley in an interview on the crimson carpet. Followers have rocked with the band for greater than 5 a long time.

Garth Brooks paid tribute, calling the band timeless. He stated their signature make-up "made them essentially the most recognizable band." The rock band Low cost Trick was the final to carry out, with a rendition of "Rock and Roll All Nite." However it was Trump who closed out the proceedings, telling of us to get house protected.

Earlier than the present, Trump was requested who could be honored subsequent 12 months. "I am unable to inform you that but," he stated. "Lots of people wish to be on my listing."

All through the night time, Trump bragged about reinvigorating the middle. In November, Senate Democrats launched an investigation into Trump's dealing with of the Middle, alleging "cronyism and corruption." Kennedy Middle ambassador Richard Grenell known as the accusations false.