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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

2016 Kennedy Center Honors go to the Eagles, Al Pacino, Mavis Staples, James Taylor and Martha Argerich

By Mark Olsen Los Angeles Times

The Kennedy Center Honors on Thursday announced its honorees for 2016 with recognition going to Argentine pianist Martha Argerich, musical group the Eagles, actor Al Pacino, singer Mavis Staples and musician James Taylor.

The honor for the Eagles in particular will be bittersweet, as founding member Glenn Frey died in January. The group was scheduled to be honored in 2015 but postponed due to Frey’s declining health. Band members Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit are expected to attend the ceremony.

“The Kennedy Center Honors celebrates the spectacular talents of artists whose brilliance has left a lasting impact on our society,” Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein said in a statement. “These honorees represent what is possible when creativity is not just cultivated, but unleashed.”

Honorees are recognized for lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts – whether in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures or television. The event includes a celebration at the Kennedy Center Opera House, with salutes from other performers. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are scheduled to attend, as well as receive the honorees at the White House.

The honorees will be celebrated at a gala on Dec. 3 that will be broadcast on Dec. 27 on CBS.