The Who's Pete Townshend And Roger Daltrey were both honoured at the Kennedy Centre Awards over the weekend.
Singer Barbara Streisand and actor Morgan Freeman were also among the recipients.
The Kennedy Centre awards performers who have “redefined the way we see, hear and feel the performing arts.”
Townshend told the Associated Press that the “full impact” of the award was “still sinking in”, adding: “It feels a bit iconic.”
Kennedy Centre chairman Stephen Schwarzman said The Who's Daltrey and Townshend had “transformed the sights and sounds of rock and roll."
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice honoured the winners in Washington.
Streisand, a life long Democrat, said she was putting politics aside for the ceremony – but added it would have been “lovely” to receive the award from president-elect Barack Obama.
Kennedy Centre Awards 2008
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