Honors Memories: Aretha Franklin honors Carole King | 2015 Kennedy Center Honors

Aretha Franklin performs live for Carole King at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors.

The Kennedy Center Honors are given annually to select performing artists for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. Our Honors Memories series catches up with Honorees right after the Honors event to hear how they felt during tributes to their artistry, followed by a memorable performance from that night.

For over 40 years, the Kennedy Center and the arts and entertainment world have gathered every December to fete the annual slate of Kennedy Center Honorees and their unparalleled influence on American culture. Given this year’s extraordinary circumstances, the Honors will be re-imagined to celebrate our cultural icons in an unconventional, hybrid format featuring a mix of virtual tributes and small-capacity, in-person live performances in the late spring. The slate of Honorees and event date for the 43rd Kennedy Center Honors will be announced at a later date.

#KCHonors #CaroleKing #Aretha Franklin

[noatuivunilagi]

No debate needed: The Best Kennedy Center Honors Performance Ever!!!!

[Sttephy]

She was in her 70's, battling cancer, and still put on an excellent performance. She was able to mix to a G5 here, just amazing.

[geraldthesaint]

Exquisite. How lucky is Carole to have this fantastic woman giving voice to her song.

[Flargblargyar]

I kind of dislike labeling things as the best ever and whatnot but this is easily one of the greatest performances I've ever seen.

[Africa-kybg]

What a moment to see the quiet artist
Carol King loosing her sh!t with Aretha at the piano & singing the hell out of this song Carol wrote for her with" the 2 Jerry's"... & Seeing POTUS wipe away a tear is spectacular.

[marthalisk]

Love Aretha. Lol, she dropped that fur coat like the rest of us drop a bath towel!

[LucelitoJordan-hdzv]

Having goosebumps listening to Aretha Franklin, such a pro even if battling cancer

[robertaferugheli]

The Queen is singing for the Lord now. Just brilliant. Rest in peace.

[cnmrb]

Am I the only who's astonished how amazing she plays the piano

[rehovotingress]

Queen sings for King, and left the President and all of us in tears

[patrickganter]

This performance sums up why she’s the queen of soul

[MarkJones-zgsi]

I have NEVER been so emotionally moved by a performance in my life! Just another example of why Aretha is THE Queen!!❤️💛❤️

[lilytony]

Carol king must be so loved by Aretha for sure she showed her

[trevorbrit]

When you succeed in moving the President of the United States to tears during a performance you are doing something special!

[nostromo]

The Queen of Queens. RIP, beautiful Aretha.

[cherray]

And for five minutes, the country was joyful.

[BeverlyAnn]

Aretha grew up singing in the CHURCH, so that’s what we feel and brings the tears even though it’s secular music! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[siwi]

ridiculous how beautiful and great this performance is. From one song queen to another.

[rogerjohnson]

I have seen this about 50 times. It never gets old. Simply Amazing.

[Carballoca]

There was only one Aretha Franklin the Queen Of Soul nobody will ever replace her truly one of a kind....