U2 will be recognised at the 45th Kennedy Center Honors - celebrating recipients for their contributions to American culture through the performing arts - in Washington DC later this year.
The quartet - Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen - will join actor George Clooney, singers Amy Grant and Gladys Knight and composer Tania León as recipients of the prestigious US award. The ceremony traditionally takes place in December, with a reception beforehand in the White House.
Past recipients since 1978 include Fred Astaire, Cher, Bette Davis, Robert De Niro, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Katharine Hepburn, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Al Pacino, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Meryl Streep.
Announcing your 45th Kennedy Center Honorees! 🤩🌈✨
— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) July 21, 2022
⭐ #GeorgeClooney ⭐
⭐ @AmyGrant ⭐
⭐ @MsGladysKnight ⭐
⭐ #TaniaLeón ⭐
⭐ @U2 ⭐
Celebrate these incredible artists this Dec. with a #KCHonors broadcast to follow on @CBS ▶ https://t.co/omAfV68lkU#KennedyCenterHonors pic.twitter.com/T3Fp1Cp1qS
In a statement, Deborah Rutter, President of the Kennedy Center, said: "The Honors is often referred to by past recipients as the pinnacle of awards because it recognises not just one performance, album or film, but esteems an artist's cumulative body of work and influence over many decades.
"This level of distinction is important. Through this holistic viewpoint, each year's Honorees add another layer to the complex and inspiring collage of artists that together tell the story of our collective contribution to global culture."
David Rubenstein, the Chairman of the Kennedy Center, said U2 had "won over America and the world long ago with their iconic anthems, potent lyrics and powerful messages of social justice and global citizenship - earning a musical legacy that crosses generations, inspires and unites".
Reacting to the news, the band said: "In December 1980, we made our first trip across the Atlantic to America. Our first show was at The Ritz in New York City, the second, the Bayou in DC.
"We had big dreams then, fuelled in part by the commonly held belief at home that America smiles on Ireland. And it turned out to be true, yet again.
"But even in the wilder thoughts, we never imagined that 40 years on, we would be invited back to receive one of the nation's greatest honours…
"We consider America to be a home away from home and we are very grateful to the #KennedyCenterHonors for welcoming us into this great clan."—Irish rock band @U2 (Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr.)
— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) July 21, 2022
Meet all of your Honorees at https://t.co/omAfV6pWcs! #KCHonors pic.twitter.com/iOvjEQJoiD
"It has been a four-decade love affair with the country and its people, its artists, and culture.
"We consider America to be a home away from home and we are very grateful to the Kennedy Center Honors for welcoming us into this great clan of extraordinary artists."
