Being named a “Living Legend” can do a lot to unnerve a person, according to the recipients. Honoree and jazz legend Herbie Hancock wondered aloud whether the honor, bestowed upon him at a Library of Congress ceremony Saturday, meant his days were numbered.
“Maybe they know something I don’t,” Hancock quipped after receiving the weighty medal.
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CBS anchorman and fellow honoree Bob Schieffer had a different sentiment. “When they called me, I thought they meant they wanted me to cover it. … I have no idea why I’m up here.”
Other recipients included political commentator Cokie Roberts, author David McCollough, Formula One driver Mario Andretti, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond and baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. “I miss coaching the Nationals, and I’ll always be in baseball as long as I feel like I have something to give,” Robinson said.
The library confers the award upon Americans who “have made significant contributions to America’s diverse cultural, scientific and social heritage.” A surprise honoree was the librarian of Congress himself, James Billington.
Robinson looked at his seven fellow recipients and said he could manage them straight to a pennant game.
Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, himself a past recipient, emceed the event.
