Elton John, Bernie Taupin selected for Gershwin Prize: 'An incredible honor for two British guys'
Elton John will soon have another accolade to add to his expanding stash.
The British superstar and his career-long songwriting partner Bernie Taupin will receive the 2024 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
A tribute concert in their honor will take place in Washington, D.C. March 20. The show will air on PBS April 8.
The prestigious award, established in 2007 and named for legendary songwriting team George and Ira Gershwin, is being given to John and Taupin for their decades of musical success with enduring classics such as “Rocket Man,” “Your Song,” “Tiny Dancer” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”
The artists expressed in a statement their appreciation of receiving an award named for American songwriters.
"I've been writing songs with Bernie for 56 years, and we never thought that that one day this might be bestowed upon us,” John said. “It's an incredible honor for two British guys to be recognized like this. I’m so honored.”
Added Taupin, "To be in a house along with the great American songwriters, to even be in the same avenue is humbling, and I am absolutely thrilled to accept.”
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The annual award is chosen by the Librarian of Congress. Current librarian Carla Hayden said the pair was selected because of “the quality and broad appeal” of their music.
“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,” Hayden said.
Along with Hayden, members of the music and entertainment communities, as well as curators from the Library’s Music Division, American Folklife Center and National Audio-Visual Conservation Center were consulted to name this year’s honoree.
The acknowledgement follows John’s recent induction into the rarified EGOT club. Earlier in January, the musician won an Emmy Award for the livestream of his final U.S. show at Dodger Stadium to join his Grammys, Oscars and Tony awards.
This is also a continuation of a recognition for Taupin, whom John inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November with the Musical Excellence Award.
John and Taupin will join a Gershwin Prize class that includes Joni Mitchell, Lionel Richie, Garth Brooks, Tony Bennett, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Emilio and Gloria Estefan.
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