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| Secretary of State John Kerry, with the 2013 Kennedy Center honorees, from left, seated Shirley MacLain, and Martina Arroyo, along with Teresa Heinz Kerry. Standing are Billy Joel, Carlos Santana, and Herbie Hancock, pose for a photo at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors gala dinner on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) |
The "Piano Man" who became one of the world's best-selling artists of all time with such hits as "Just the Way You Are," ''Uptown Girl" and "Allentown" is being awarded the nation's highest honor Sunday for influencing American culture through the arts.
Billy Joel joins Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, opera star Martina Arroyo and actress Shirley MacLaine in receiving the Kennedy Center Honors. All of them have been playing music, dancing or singing since they were children — and have never stopped.
Joel said the honor stands apart from his six Grammys.
