Kennedy Center salutes Tom Hanks, Sting, 3 others

Heralded as a musical genius who rose from a British shipyard hometown to make his mark, Sting received America's highest honor on Sunday for influencing US culture through the arts.

Top performers and power players from Hollywood, Broadway and Washington gathered to honor five artists who were receiving this year's Kennedy Center Honors. Tom Hanks, Lily Tomlin, singer Al Green and ballerina Patricia McBride joined Sting in receiving the arts prize.

Sting broke out in 1978 with his band The Police with such hits as Roxanne and later Every Breath You Take before starting his solo career. He has been performing for four decades and has won 16 Grammy Awards.