U2 Part of 45th Kennedy Center Honors Class

U2 has been selected to be part of the 45th class of the Kennedy Center Honors.

The Kennedy Center Honors are given to artists in a variety of fields for their impact on culture in the United States. In addition to U2, the 45th Kennedy Center Honors class includes George Clooney, Amy Grant, Gladys Knight and Tania León."

In a joint statement on the honor, U2 said, "In December 1980, we made our first trip across the Atlantic to America. Our first show was at The Ritz in New York City, the second, The Bayou in D.C. We had big dreams then, fueled in part by the commonly held belief at home that America smiles on Ireland. And it turned out to be true, yet again. But even in the wilder thoughts, we never imagined that 40 years on, we would be invited back to receive one of the nation’s greatest honors."

The band added, "It has been a four-decade love affair with the country and its people, its artists, and culture. We consider America to be a home away from home and we are very grateful to the Kennedy Center Honors for welcoming us into this great clan of extraordinary artists."

The 45th Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, December 4. A broadcast of the event will air on CBS at a later date.