The 2002 Kennedy Center Honors Gala was an unforgettable night, paying tribute to legendary figures such as Elizabeth Taylor, James Earl Jones, Chita Rivera, James Levine, and Paul Simon.

Among the evening’s standout moments, Steve Martin’s witty introduction of Paul Simon and a breathtaking rendition of The Boxer by James Taylor and Alison Krauss stole the spotlight.

“The format rarely changes—an introduction by a colleague, a brief documentary on the honoree, and tribute performances by lesser-known artists—all bookended by standing ovations,” as noted by The Washington Post.

However, while Taylor and Krauss may not have shared Simon’s level of fame, their performance was anything but ordinary.

Their rendition of The Boxer was a mesmerizing fusion of Taylor’s warm, familiar voice and Krauss’s ethereal, angelic tones. The emotional depth of their collaboration left a lasting impression.

A YouTube listener, Jim Hansen, expressed his admiration: “I love James Taylor and Paul Simon with every fiber of my being, but Alison Krauss—wow. Every song she touches feels like it was meant for her voice. She literally moves me to tears.”

Another fan, James Ryan, praised Krauss’s artistry: “Alison is one of the finest voices in the industry and an incredible musician. This version is simply outstanding.”

While The Washington Post lauded Taylor and Krauss’s performance as “haunting,” other tributes to Simon’s work that night received more mixed reviews.

Later in the evening, Steve Martin’s signature blend of humor and insight brought an extra spark to the gala, further cementing the night’s magic.

For those unfamiliar with Alison Krauss, she is a titan in bluegrass and country music. Her unmistakable voice has graced the soundtracks of O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Cold Mountain, and her collaborations with rock legend Robert Plant have earned critical acclaim. Their albums Raising Sand (2007) and Raise The Roof (2021) captivated audiences, with Raising Sand taking home the Album of the Year award at both the Americana Music Honors in 2008 and the Grammy Awards in 2009.

As for The Boxer, Paul Simon himself once described it as a deeply personal piece. In a 1984 Playboy interview, he revealed that the song was his way of confronting music critics who had begun questioning his artistic authenticity in the late ’60s.

“I think the song was about me,” Simon admitted. “At that time, we had started facing criticism. [Critics realized] maybe we weren’t real folkies after all!” An unusual perspective, but a revealing one.

Interestingly, Krauss and Taylor’s version of The Boxer was slightly condensed—a common practice for Kennedy Center Honors performances. And in a twist of fate, Paul Simon wasn’t originally set to be honored that night; he stepped in at the last minute to replace Paul McCartney, who had scheduling conflicts.

Fortunately, the evening was saved by the charm of Steve Martin and the emotional depth of Alison Krauss and James Taylor’s tribute—a performance that left Paul Simon visibly moved.

Meanwhile, Simon’s latest musical project, Seven Palms, has garnered widespread acclaim, earning a place on numerous Best Album of 2003 lists and securing the #2 spot in Uncut Magazine.