This year's Kennedy Center honorees include musicians who span genres and an actor known for his extraordinary range. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced on Thursday that actor Al Pacino, rock band the Eagles, Argentine pianist Martha Argerich, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples and singer-songwriter James Taylor will be honored for influencing American culture through the arts. For the Eagles, the recognition will be bittersweet as the band was tapped for the honor last year but postponed its appearance because of founding member Glenn Frey's failing health. Frey passed away back in January, about a month after the honors gala. For Pacino, the star of "The Godfather" trilogy who has long been regarded as one of the great American actors, the honor is arguably overdue.
