Photo credit: Misc.
“The Library of Congress is proud to honor Elton John and Bernie Taupin with the 2024 ‘Gershwin Prize for Popular Song’ for their incredible impact on generations of music,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden who opened the program at a special honorees dinner the night before the concert. “Their once in a lifetime meeting brought them together in 1967, launching a songwriting partnership that continues more than half a century later. Both are geniuses, but together they are a musical powerhouse. Their music brings people together no matter what race, sexual orientation, social and economic background. Elton John and Bernie represent everything this prize was created for. It’s the nation’s highest award for influence, impact and achievement in popular music and both men epitomize the lasting legacy of the legendary songwriting team of George and Ira Gershwin.”
Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress.
David Rubenstein, Chair of the Madison Council (a pivotal support arm of Congress), had a passion for sharing the rich history of The Library of Congress with guests. Its history is fascinating but extensive, but we promise it’s a story well worth your time. So bear with us as we delve into his captivating narrative.
“In 1783, James Madison, a member of Congress, and the articles of Confederation actually said we should have a library to help members of Congress know what they were doing. And Congress in its usual fashion, got around to this in 1800. So it took 17 years for Congress to finally say it’s not a bad idea. And so they authorized $5,000, $5,000 to have a Library of Congress be created. And they bought about 700 books and free maps. The Library of Congress had some problems though in 1814. Our forebears burned it down and then the only way The Library of Congress could be restarted was when Thomas Jefferson sold his library to the Library of Congress. But had the British not come, we might still have a very small library so I want to thank these forebears.”
“This one is one of the most beautiful buildings ever built in Washington. You’ve not seen anything else like this in the United States. It was finally decided the Library of Congress should move out of Congress and build its own building. It was constructed on a site on which I believe is where Abraham Lincoln had a boarding house right around here. But that was all leveled and ultimately this was built. This entire building was opened around 1897 at a cost of under $10 million. So it was under budget. Imagine what it’s like to get something done under budget in Washington today. Very hard. It was reconstructed about 20 some years ago. It took about $150 million to reconstruct, but it’s now one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington.”
“Wonder why it’s called the Gershwin Prize? And the reason is that it’s not just named after George Gershwin? It’s really Ira and George Gershwin,” Rubenstein added. “They were brothers. George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin’s grandparents came over to the United States from Ukraine as it turns out. And they lived in New York for a while and they were both pretty precocious and they were both songwriters. But the tragedy is that as talented as he was, George Gershwin couldn’t beat fate and he died in the age of 38. His brother Ira lived to 86. He performed incredible great things in the composition world, so when The Library of Congress wanted to create an award to honor people for composition, how can anybody be better than Ira and George Gershwin?”
“Wells Fargo has sponsored the Gershwin Prize for the last three years. This sponsorship is driven by the large part our belief that the arts enrich the communities that we serve.”Doug Braunstein, Vice Chairman Wells Fargo, who also thanked The Walt Disney Company for hosting the dinner.
Senator Amy Klobuchar with Singer/Songwriter Paul Williams Photo credit: Janet Donovan
“I’d like to thank Doug for those moving remarks and David for reminding us that while something bad happened in 1814, nothing bad in this town has happened since.” Senator Amy Klobuchar
Aileen and Bob Carlucci, Pat Harrison, JoAnn Mason. Photo credit: Janet Donovan
The concert will air on PBS on April 8th. Pat Harrison, CEO of Corporation of Public Broadcasting hosted a table next to Billy Porter.
“I write songs from words and the words come up as a story, a vision. I don’t know how it works, but it has worked. It’s been the most wonderful thing in my life to be friends with someone who’s so creative. The years that we’ve been together have been extraordinary.” Elton John on Bernie Taupin
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart, this is one of the greatest moments in my life. I was moved to tears by the library tonight and that’s what music is all about. It’s supposed to bring you to tears. So thank you. Thank you.” Bernie Taupin
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
On the Red Carpet photos & commentary from the concert by Brendan Kownacki
The concert opened with a rocking rendition of “Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding” performed by Metallica. The combination of fierce rock and roll with Elton was a surprising hit for the political crowd that included dozens of members of congress, supreme court justices, and other Washington dignitaries.
Video messages throughout the evening of both Elton John and Bernie Taupin gave insight into the relationship of the two honorees. “I always write to the written word” said Elton John of his process to design his music around the words that Bernie creates. We’re almost never “in the same room when we write, ” said Bernie Taupin, explaining that part of the secret sauce for him and Elton over the years is working separately and then melding the pieces together.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin
Billy Porter served as host for the evening, and explained to the audience how special it was to honor both Elton and Bernie…as they are one of only a few pairs to receive the Gershwin Prize, and that it’s also special to have a pair of Brits honored for their contribution to American popular song.
Billy Porter
Annie Lennox performed “Border Song”
Brandie Carlile & Annie Leonox
Brandi Carlile said that it was easy to say yes to being part of the tribute for Elton and Bernie, but picking just one song or special moment was difficult. Carlile wanted to honor the complexity of the pair’s music, sewn into rock and roll. “I’ll never stop thanking them for their music…The honest to God-truth is that I may have never written a song or even played a musical instrument without Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s music.” she said before performing “Madman Across the Water.”
Garth Brooks performed “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”
Garth Brooks & Tricia Underwood
Jacob Lusk caught the attention of some people when he appeared on American Idol in the 10th season and would eventually find himself on stage at the Glastonbury Music Festival performing with Elton. Lusk wowed the Gershwin with a lively rendition of “Bennie and the Jets.”
Maren Morris slowed things down with a soulful version of “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” as well as Billy Porter belting out “The Bitch is Back” and Charlie Puth crooning “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” Puth called the experience a dream come true to perform for Elton.
Maren Morris
A tribute to Elton’s charitable giving and the Elton John AIDS Foundation included an emotional reading from a letter Elton wrote to a young man who died of AIDS and a performance of “Skyline Pigeon” by Brandi Carlile. The foundation has raised more than $600 Million to combat AIDS. Joni Mitchell performed “I’m Still Standing”
Brandie Carlile
Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress said that Bernie and Elton “truly epitomize the Gershwin Legacy” and called the Gershwin Prize “bipartisan karaoke” for its ability to bring together Republicans and Democrats. Elton John said “It’s like an acid trip for me here tonight” commenting on watching a parade of artists performing his songs.
Elton showed gratitude for all the concert participants and talked about the experience of seeing someone else take on the anthems he has performed for decades. “You see Metallica and you go ‘that song’s not easy and they’re doing it so well.'”
Elton took straight to the bright red piano on the stage and performed “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters,” “Saturday Night’s Alright,” at the ceremony. Elton also wanted to thank America for “all the music you’ve given us.”
John joked to his longtime collaborator Bernie, “Without the lyrics, I’d be working at Walmart…except we don’t have Walmart in England yet. Maybe McDonalds, but probably a record shop.”
Bernie Taupin said it was “beyond belief” to be honored by the Library of Congress, and said “I am America” after noting that he has spent so many years of his life and built a life and family in the United States.
Concert photo gallery credit: Shawn Miller
To end the evening, Elton sang “Your Song” with Bernie standing by his side at the piano.
