Michelle Obama dazzled in a teal green gown as the 'Piano Man,' Billy Joel, was awarded the nation's highest honor in Washington Sunday for influencing American culture through the arts.
Joel, one of the world's best-selling artists of all time with such hits as 'Just the Way You Are,' 'Uptown Girl' and 'Allentown' joined Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, opera star Martina Arroyo and actress Shirley MacLaine in receiving the Kennedy Center Honors in a star-studded event.
All of them have been playing music, dancing or singing since they were children and Joel said the honor stands apart from his six Grammys.
First lady Michelle Obama wore a stunning teal green dress for the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors reception held in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, December 8, 2013
'This is different. It's our nation's capital,' he told The Associated Press. 'This is coming more from my country than just people who come to see me. It's a little overwhelming.'
The first lady and President Obama were on hand for the 36th annual celebration, which went ahead despite snow and freezing rain.
The 64-year-old musician born in the Bronx has been playing the piano since he was a boy, growing up on New York's Long Island. There was always music in the house, he said. His mother sang. His father played the piano.
Impressing girls, though, is what hooked Joel into making a career of music, he said.
Joel just announced a 2014 concert series at Madison Square Garden in New York 'to avoid schlepping around the world,' but he still plans to play concerts nationwide.
President Obama saluted the honorees, and top entertainers offered tribute performances for each.
The show will be broadcast December 29.
Source:DailymailUk
Source:DailymailUk
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