Sir Elton John receives 2024 Gershwin Prize for contribution to music
ITV News' US Correspondent Dan Rivers reports on the honour awarded to Sir Elton on Wednesday
Sir Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin have collected the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for their contribution to music.
The duo, who wrote Your Song, Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road together, were serenaded during a tribute concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC on Wednesday.
Acts included US singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, country singer Garth Brooks, folk singer Brandi Carlile, Scottish musician and Eurythmics star Annie Lennox, and heavy metal band Metallica.
Performing Sir Elton and Taupin songs were Metallica, who did a rendition of Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, while Lennox sang Border Song and Mitchell and Carlile duetted for I’m Still Standing.
Sir Elton, wearing a light-pink suit and colourful glasses while giving a live performance from the piano, was there at the event along with Taupin to receive the library’s Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
The honour, named after Jazz Age songwriters George and Ira Gershwin, has previously been given to Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Brooks.
Last year, Mitchell won the prize, which was established in 2007.
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said: “Elton John and Bernie Taupin have written some of the most memorable songs of our lives.
“Their careers stand out for the quality and broad appeal of their music and their influence on their fellow artists.
“More than 50 years ago, they came from across the pond to win over Americans and audiences worldwide with their beautiful songs and rock anthems.
“We’re proud to honour Elton and Bernie with the Gershwin Prize for their incredible impact on generations of music lovers.”
Also among the performers were American singer Maren Morris, Pose star and singer Billy Porter, who was also hosting, US singer Charlie Puth and American Idol star Jacob Lusk of Gabriels.
Lusk was one of four musicians, including US singer Stephen Sanchez, The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers and Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama, who joined Sir Elton on stage when he played Glastonbury as the British musician ended his touring days in 2023.
Taupin and Sir Elton were previously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, in 1992, and the latter inducted his songwriting partner into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year.
Sir Elton had previously been put into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 by Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose.
In January, Sir Elton achieved EGOT status after he won an Emmy for his US farewell touring concert after picking up the Grammy, Oscar and Tony prizes.
He won his first Emmy for Elton Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium, which bagged the best variety special live prize.
Sir Elton has five Grammy wins, two Academy Award wins for Can You Feel The Love Tonight from The Lion King and (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again from Rocketman, alongside his Tony Award for best original score for musical Aida.
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