"A buddy of mine kind of gave me the idea and I just ran with it, " Jones said casually, as if he were describing a fly-fishing tip.

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The seven artists set to receive the honor are actor Dustin Hoffman, musician George "Buddy" Guy, late night TV host David Letterman, ballerina Natalia Makarova and John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, all of rock band Led Zepellin.

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Honorees this year included actor Dustin Hoffman, late night host David Letterman, Russian ballerina Natalia Makarova, Chicago blues musician Buddy Guy, and the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.

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