Elton John and Bernie Taupin will receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Award for Popular Song on March 20 at the Washington DC Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall. The invitation-only all-star concert will premiere on PBS stations on April 8.
The famous songwriting duo are only the third couple to receive the prestigious award, following Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 2012 and Gloria and Emilio Estefan in 2019. Established in 2007, the Gershwin Award honors artists whose creative works are collected and made accessible by the Library and recognizes the vital role of folk song in society. The award is named for another legendary songwriting team, George and Ira Gershwin, whose works are held by the Library. (Elton performed two of the Gershwins' most award-winning songs, “Our Love Is Here to Stay” and “Someone to Watch Over Me,” on the 1994 all-star album Gershwin's Glory.)
Other past recipients include Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Lionel Richie and Garth Brooks.
“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,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement. “More than 50 years ago, they came from across the pond to win over Americans and audiences around the world with their beautiful songs and rock anthems. We are proud to honor Elton and Bernie with the Gershwin Award for their incredible impact on generations of music lovers.”
The pair have written pop and rock classics such as “Your Song”, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, “Bennie & the Jets”, “Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting”, “Tiny Dancer” and “Crocodile Rock”, which became Their first of eight No. 1s as a songwriting team on the Billboard Hot 100.
“I've been writing songs with Bernie for 56 years and we never thought that one day this could be gifted to us,” John said in a statement. “It's an incredible honor for two Britons to be recognized like this. I am so honored.”
Taupin added: “To be in a house with the great American songwriters, to even be on the same avenue, is humbling and I'm absolutely thrilled to accept it.”
In making the selection, the Librarian of Congress consulted leading members of the music and entertainment communities, as well as curators from the Library's music division, the American Folklife Center, and the National Audiovisual Preservation Center.
John is Advertising signThe all-time leading solo male artist with 59 songs in the Hot 100's top 40. When his duet with Dua Lipa's “Cold Heart” reached the top 40 in 2021, it marked his first top 40 hit in 22 years . The song peaked at No. 7, only to be surpassed by “Hold Me Closer,” his collaboration with Britney Spears, which peaked at No. 6 in 2022. It also holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time with Taupin's rewritten lyrics for “Candle in the Wind 1997”, which sold more than 33 million copies.
On January 15, John won an Emmy for his Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium standout, making him only the 19th performer to reach EGOT status to win an Emmy, Oscar, Tony and Grammy.
Taupin and John were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992. John was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, with Taupin to follow in 2023.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song is a co-production of WETA Washington, DC, Ken Ehrlich Productions and the Library of Congress. Performers will be announced closer to the event.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/elton-john-bernie-taupin-2024-gershwin-prize-for-popular-song-recipients-1235591595/
