Elton John and Bernie Taupin to Receive 2024 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

Elton John has something new to celebrate!

John, 76, and longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin have been announced as the winners of the 2024 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Songs. The Library of Congress established the coveted award in 2007 to recognize artists who have had “impact, influence, and achievement in the field of popular song.”

John and Taupin, 73, first met in 1967 and have been creating songs together for more than 50 years. In 1973, they released their first US #1 single with the release of “Crocodile Rock”. Some of their biggest collaborations include “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”, “Bennie and the Jets”, “Your Song”, “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer”.

Elton John in New York in November 2023.

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This announcement comes nearly two weeks after John cemented his place in the EGOT Hall of Fame following his Emmy win in the Outstanding Special Live Variety Song category. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced Tuesday that John and Taupin “wrote some of the most memorable songs of our lives.”

“Their careers are distinguished by the quality and broad appeal of their music and the influence they have had on their fellow artists. More than 50 years ago, they came across the pond to captivate Americans and audiences around the world with their beautiful songs and rock anthems. We proudly honor Elton and Bernie the Gershwin Award for their incredible influence on generations of music lovers,” her statement added.

John and Taupin will celebrate with a tribute concert in Washington, DC on March 20th that will air on PBS on April 8th at 8:00 PM ET. The award is something John called an “incredible honor.”

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Elton John and Bernie Taupin in Cannes in May 2019.

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“I’ve been writing songs with Bernie for 56 years and we never thought we’d be able to afford this one day. It’s an incredible honor for two Brits to receive this kind of recognition. I’m so honoured,” he said in a statement. Taupin shared similar sentiments.

“To be in the house with great American songwriters, to even be on the same avenue is humbling, and I’m absolutely thrilled to accept it,” his statement read.

As for what makes their partnership work, the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee told PEOPLE in September that “the glue that’s held us together all these years is the music.”

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“I think the musicality of everything is important. And there we are completely 50/50, hand in hand. Nothing will ever change. That’s the legacy we forged and we forged together, and that’s the most important essence of our careers. So on at that level, I think we’re exactly the same,” Taupin told PEOPLE.

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Source: HIS Education