Flanked by the president and first girl, John, carrying his signature red-tinted spectacles, seemed visibly shocked as he first noticed the medal, protecting his face with his fingers in disbelief.
“I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted and humbled and honored by this incredible award from the United States of America,” he said, overcome, moments after clutching Jill Biden’s hand and hugging her husband. “I will treasure this so much.”
The Grammy-winning singer praised “America’s kindness to me as a musician,” calling it “second to none,” and vowed that the medal would push him to redouble his efforts to assist eradicate the sickness that impacts greater than 38 million individuals globally, according to the World Health Organization.
Biden, an enormous fan, described John as a “tidal wave,” quoting Irish poet Seamus Heaney, and praised his “incredible career.”
With the White House as his backdrop, John opened with “Your Song,” adopted by classics together with “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocket Man” and “Crocodile Rock.” He closed with the jaunty “I’m Still Standing.”
The concert on the South Lawn, titled “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme,” was a part of his farewell tour after a glittering 50-year profession. It was additionally an occasion to honor “everyday history-makers in the audience,” in response to the White House, amongst them academics, army households and LGBT+ advocates.
John devoted “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” to Ryan White and his mom, Jeanne White-Ginder, who attended the concert. Her son misplaced his life to AIDS-related issues after a blood transfusion and died in 1990, only a month earlier than his highschool commencement.
The legendary singer launched the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, which has raised over $450 million and funded applications throughout 4 continents. In between songs, John spoke to the viewers about his hope to assist eradicate the virus by 2030.
Among the estimated 2,000 friends have been former first girl Laura Bush, tennis champion Billie Jean King, British Ambassador to the United States Karen Elizabeth Pierce, and John’s husband, David Furnish. Members of Biden’s administration together with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin additionally attended.
John beforehand carried out at the White House in 1998 alongside Stevie Wonder at a state dinner for British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
He has offered greater than 300 million information worldwide, according to his official web site, and held greater than 4,000 performances in over 80 international locations.
He turned Sir Elton John after being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 and has been an in depth ally of Britain’s Prince Harry and his spouse, Meghan, defending them within the press after the criticism they acquired for stepping again from senior royal duties. John reworked “Candle In The Wind” after the loss of life of Harry’s mom, Princess Diana, in 1997, which went on to interrupt information, promoting over 33 million copies.
John informed followers whereas onstage in Canada this previous week that he had been “very sad” to be taught of the loss of life of the queen, praising her decency and noting that she had for many years “worked bloody hard.”
His medal from Biden will sit alongside his Legion d’Honneur, given to him by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2019.
