Sean Penn honors U2 (Full Version) | 45th Kennedy Center Honors

Sean Penn gives a touching tribute, extolling the social and musical virtues of 2022 Honoree U2.

The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is proud to celebrate the 45th Honorees for lifetime artistic achievements: acclaimed actor and filmmaker George Clooney; contemporary Christian and pop singer-songwriter Amy Grant; legendary singer of soul, Gospel, R&B, and pop Gladys Knight; Cuban-born American composer, conductor, and educator Tania León; and iconic Irish rock band U2, comprised of band members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.

The event took place Sunday, December 4th, 2022, in the Kennedy Center Opera House, was televised Wednesday, December 28th at 8/7c on CBS, and is streaming on Paramount+.

#KCHonors #CBS #kennedycenter

[StLProgressive]

U2 has been my favorite band since I was 12, in 1983. An older friend of mine put War on at a sleepover, and I was hooked. I must’ve seen videos on MTV before then, but that’s the first time I remember. Their music literally saved my life when I was fighting cancer in 2001. I’ve seen them numerous times live. No one is like them.

[teammmx]

This is one of the most emotional tributes in speech I've ever heard. He made me cry just listening to him

[artlover]

Sean had a lot of emotion in his voice. You could tell U2's music has touched him.

[johnwoulfe]

NOBODY has a voice like Bono. Some of his songs, not all are never going to grow old. They just lift the spirit up no matter what, regardless of ones age or religion. A proud Irish man who never left fame define him.

[ronniemurtagh]

What a speech, truly a hero yourself along with these great Irish Legends!!!

[UnderABloodRedSkyU]

So grateful to be able to watch this amazing band being honored. Thank you Kennedy center!!

[grazynawrobel]

I started listening to U2 when I was 14 and heard "Pride...", which was their first song to appear in Poland. Then I belonged to a Polish fanclub, Celtica society and the Polish-Irish society. I learnt Irish for a few years, travelled in Ireland and knew Irish history better than Polish one. Finally, I finished my studies with a thesis on "The revival of the Irish language in Northern Ireland". A lot of material I found in Belfast - I visited Irish-speaking schools, Culturlann etc. I was at U2 concerts in Dublin and Warsaw, and listened to them twice in Ireland. Who can beat me? :)

[Msln-juxo]

Wonderful job Sean.... An honorable event .

[noelanthony]

Congratulations U2 ... well deserved Award -- GOD Bless

[braissanchez]

U2 is an giant piece of arquitect musical, full of LOVE, mistery and humanity...throw the years got the Vogue. THE millones BEST band alive

[thebignoize]

I love listening to U2's early work. Such a nostaglic sound and vibe of growing up in Ireland in the 1980's

[frippertonics]

From 1983 to 1993, U2 was one of my favorite bands. I thought Rattle and Hum was a wee bit of a misstep, but I loved everything between War and Zooropa. They lost me at the Pop album, though. I still give some of their newer music a listen, but it doesn't have the same impact on me that War did when I heard New Years Day for the first time 30 years ago. Still, it's nice to see them get this recognition.

[thomasrobinson]

aging myself here, but to see them live before America even knew who they were was an awesome experience. Of course they blew up once the world found out about them, but to be in the small group that got to see them when they were still rising is a memory that I will have to my last breath. They are incredible!

[robertmortimer]

Sean Penn sounds like he´s always close to break and begin to cry!

[troypakura]

What emotion from Sean, he was emotional because I think he has been with these guys over the years. Just like all of us have been, congratulations boys we are proud of you from new Zealand, ps. Greg is smiling ❤❤❤❤

[det.bustymccoy]

Sweet Jesus Sean gets better and better! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[nancycesarano]

Saw them at a NYC club in 1983. Unforgettable.

[alexandriaocasio-smollett]

I’m not a big proponent of these types of ceremonies that seem to be just ceremonies for the sake of having a ceremony. But these 4 guys deserve this as much(if not more) than just about anyone else I’ve seen on this show over the years. These guys from minute one in their careers put their money where their mouth was in every way imaginable. Everything from AIDS to poverty to clean drinking water to exposing oppression in third world countries and everything in between, they don’t just throw out a hashtag and write a check to the cause. They do the tough first hand type of work..

Oh and they are a phenomenal band also.

[blaisehanon]

Still remenber walking in washington square singing °with or without you ° while studying at NYU ..like it was yesterday..

[dontbesensitive]

It is mind blowing to me that this guy played Kleinfeld in Carlito's Way...one of the best movies ever