Paul McCartney Named as 2010 Kennedy Center Honoree

Sir Paul McCartney will be one of five recipients at the 33rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors, to take place this December. President Barack Obama will present the award to the former Beatle, who also received the Gershwin Award earlier this year.

The Kennedy Center Honor award is given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. Paul will be honored next to Oprah Winfrey, Merle Haggard, Bill T. Jones, and Jerry Herman.

The honor will have special meaning to McCartney. “President Kennedy was such an icon for us in the ‘60s and his presidency was so inspiring for so many people that it is a great pleasure for this kid from Liverpool to receive this honor,” he said.