Grading the worthiness of the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees

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2025’s Kennedy Center Honors were undeniably set to steer clear of politics; however, any such expectation was squashed when Donald Trump, the incumbent U.S. President, assumed the role of Chairman at the Center. He declared his intention to preside over the upcoming honors, making it inevitable for him to be part of the event.

Despite that, this doesn’t necessarily imply that all recipients of the Honors were undeniably deserving of recognition. On the contrary, things could have turned out to be even more questionable. For instance, it’s possible that Kid Rock or Ted Nugent could have been recognized (and potentially may be in future years as well). However, one might ponder about the merit of these potential honorees for the year 2025.

Instead of featuring Sylvester Stallone due to our focus on non-film content, we will leave him out from our coverage. If his brother, Frank, were in the spotlight instead, he might have received a critique. However, it’s safe to say that most people wouldn’t want to hear Sly attempt singing.

Grading the musical artists that received 2025 Kennedy Center Honors

Gloria Gaynor

It can be reasonably inferred that the primary purpose behind the Kennedy Center Honors was to recognize artists who have consistently achieved greatness and significantly influenced American culture. Performers like one-hit wonders, such as Gaynor, generally don’t align with this description.

It’s evident that Donald Trump has a fondness for disco music, as demonstrated by Gloria Gaynor’s hit song “I Will Survive reaching No. 1 on the charts. This preference in music suggests a certain era, hinting at his age. Furthermore, his supporters frequently play The Village People’s “YMCA” during rallies. While disco was popular in the 70s, it’s important to note that it eventually faded away.

Apart from her hit song “I Will Survive,” Gaynor only managed to get another top 10 single, could you tell me what it was? It’s worth noting that after “I Will Survive” in 1978, none of her songs even made it to the top 30. The album containing “I Will Survive,” titled “Love Tracks,” was her highest-charting album, but no other album she released went higher than number 25 on the charts.

Grade: F

KISS

One of the pioneering bands that blended Gothic and hard rock genres truly warrants recognition for their significant influence on culture. It’s challenging to dispute KISS’s lasting impact given their consistent contribution to music and popular culture. Although they may have retired from live performances and album production, their legacy remains undeniable.

One could ponder whether Gene Simmons’ public support of conservative views might have affected their chances of receiving the honor. If KISS, as a band, remained unchanged but Simmons endorsed Joe Biden instead, it seems highly unlikely that they would have been awarded the honor.

Grade: A

George Strait

As a fellow music enthusiast, I’d say I’ve got a soft spot for George Strait that’s somewhat reminiscent of KISS – minus the heavy rock and dramatic makeup (at least as far as I know). For years, Strait has been a towering figure in country music, shaping its landscape and setting trends. He might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but let’s face it; he’s earned a place among the greats, and his contributions deserve recognition.

He hails from Texas as well, and it could potentially hold significance given the current situation in the nation, but then again, it might not.

Grade: A

Michael Crawford

Crawford might not be your typical pick due to his non-American background, but he certainly has an impressive resume. In fact, he played the best Phantom in the Broadway production of “Phantom of the Opera,” a role that cemented his status as a Broadway icon for quite some time. However, it’s worth noting that he resides outside of the United States.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d like to throw my hat into the ring here. If we were discussing the Kennedy Center Honors, an event meant to celebrate outstanding achievements in music (which it generally does not), then Crawford would undeniably be among those deserving recognition. That’s because his contributions extend far beyond the world of entertainment; he’s been a tireless advocate for charities that support children battling illnesses or facing food insecurity.

Grade: B

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2025-08-14 13:00