WASHINGTON β Sir Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin were honored with the prestigious Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, making a point to underscore that their musical legacy is in harmony with their philanthropy, especially the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
βIf youβre successful, you have to give back. That was my mantra in 1980 when I got sober, and itβs been my mantra ever since,β John told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.
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Accompanied by Taupin and clad in a resplendent pink suit, John, who celebrates his 76th birthday on March 25, also gave his perspective on the enduring appeal of their music.
βThe songs last because they cover different territories. βPhiladelphia Freedomβ is not like βBurn Down the Mission,β and βDanielβ is not like βSaturday Nightβs Alright for Fighting.β
Taupin added: βOur palette is full of color.β
The evening's entertainment was a range of musical styles by a collection of renowned performers that included Garth Brooks, Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell, Annie Lennox and host Billy Porter. A televised version is set to air April 8 on PBS.
Metallica set the stage ablaze with a powerful rendition of βFuneral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleedingβ from the iconic John-Taupin βGoodbye Yellow Brick Roadβ album, igniting the atmosphere with their high-octane energy.
Following a soulful rendition of βSorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,β Garth Brooks, a former Gershwin Prize recipient, raised his hat triumphantly, eliciting a thunderous standing ovation from the audience.
Brandi Carlile enchanted with her rendition of βMadman Across the Water,β and the crowd swayed along to Maren Morrisβs captivating performance of βI Guess Thatβs Why They Call It the Blues.β
Last yearβs honoree, Joni Mitchell, graced the stage alongside Lennox and Carlile for the fitting rendition of βIβm Still Standing.β By the eveningβs close, four illustrious Gershwin Prize recipients shared the spotlight as John and Taupin joined Mitchell and Brooks in this esteemed club.
Perhaps, the most energetic performance of the evening belonged to Jacob Lusk of the group Gabriels. He launched into a dynamic rendition of βBennie and the Jets,β captivating the crowd β including Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sen. Tim Scott β bringing them to their feet swaying and singing along.
Before Lennox took on βThe Border Song,β she praised Johnβs unwavering commitment to combating the AIDS epidemic, describing it as βimmeasurable.β
βHe seems to be very comfortable with his fame and heβs used it in a way that has made massive global differences in really significant, areasβ¦ HIV and AIDS is a massive, massive challenge. And yet Elton was doing it and still doing it, saving lives,β Lennox said on the red carpet.
Following the honor bestowed by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, John treated the audience to a three-song performance, featuring βMona Lisas and Mad Hatters,β βSaturday Nightβs Alright for Fightingβ and βYour Song,β with Taupin at his side by the piano.
Established in 2007, the Gershwin Prize has previously celebrated icons such as Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and Carole King.
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