Kennedy Center Honors

President Obama watches as comedian and 2012 Kennedy Center Honoree Letterman kisses the hand of fellow honoree Makarova.

Morgan Freeman, a Kennedy Center honoree in 2008, greets another guest at the Kennedy Center Honors reception at the White House. He was set to introduce Guy at the Sunday night ceremony.

Recipients of the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors, comedian and television host David Letterman, left, and bluesman Buddy Guy, right, give their applause as fellow honoree actor and director Dustin Hoffman, center, is introduced by President Obama, during the reception in the East Room of the White House Sunday.

Continuing the celebration on Sunday, from left, the surviving members of Led Zeppelin -- Plant, Page and Jones -- ballerina Makarova, comedian and late night talk show host Letterman, actor Hoffman and blues musician Guy listen as the president speaks.

Led Zeppelin band members and honorees Plant, left, and Page chat during an event in the East Room of the White House on Sunday.

Musician Guy arrives at the Kennedy Center Honors reception at the White House.

Lenny Kravitz leaves the event in the East Room of the White House Sunday before heading to Kennedy Center. He was to participate in the tribute to Led Zeppelin.

Actor Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower arrive at the Kennedy Center Honors reception. De Niro, who received a Kennedy Center medal in 2009, was set to introduce Hoffman's tribute on Sunday night.