The performance hall will give all three surviving Led Zeppelin members - John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant - individual awards.

BBC: Hoffman and Led Zep to be honoured by Kennedy Center

So when Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham burst onto the musical scene in the late 1960s, the world never saw it coming.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Speaks at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors Reception | The White House

The seven artists set to receive the honor are actor Dustin Hoffman, musician George "Buddy" Guy, late night TV host David Letterman, ballerina Natalia Makarova and John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, all of rock band Led Zepellin.

CNN: Kennedy Center Honors snub Latinos

They continued recording and touring well into the 1990s, supporting Bob Dylan and veterans of Led Zeppelin Robert Plant and Jimmy Page.

BBC: Adamson: Scotland's guitar hero

Honorees this year included actor Dustin Hoffman, late night host David Letterman, Russian ballerina Natalia Makarova, Chicago blues musician Buddy Guy, and the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.

FORBES: Heart's Ann Wilson Kills Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway To Heaven' At Kennedy Center Honors