London: British singer Elton John was left teary eyed and “flabbergasted” after being awarded a shock nationwide humanities medal by President Biden, following a live performance on the White Home.
John, 75, who was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, is a world-renowned singer, pianist and songwriter. He has additionally championed quite a few charities and humanitarian causes, particularly these tackling HIV/AIDS.
First girl Jill Biden and President Joe Biden after presenting Elton John with the Nationwide Humanities Medal.Credit score:AP
Flanked by the president and first girl, John, sporting his signature red-tinted spectacles, regarded visibly shocked as he first noticed the medal, masking his face together with his arms in disbelief.
“I’m by no means flabbergasted, however I’m flabbergasted and humbled and honoured by this unbelievable award from the US of America,” he stated, overcome, moments after clutching Jill Biden’s hand and hugging her husband. “I’ll treasure this a lot.”
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, in line with the World Well being Organisation.
Biden, an enormous fan, described John as a “tidal wave,” quoting Irish poet Seamus Heaney, and praised his “unbelievable profession.” Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, was additionally a fan of John however was unsuccessful in persuading John to carry out at his 2017 inauguration.
Elton John performs on the South Garden of the White Home in a present he referred to as “A Night time When Hope and Historical past Rhyme,” a reference to a poem by Irishman Seamus Heaney that President Joe Biden usually quotes. Credit score:AP
With the White Home as his backdrop, John opened with Your Music, adopted by classics together with Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man and Crocodile Rock. He closed with the jaunty I’m Nonetheless Standing.
The live performance on the South Garden, titled “A Night time When Hope and Historical past Rhyme,” was a part of his farewell tour after a glittering 50-year profession. It was additionally an occasion to honour “on a regular basis history-makers within the viewers,” in line with the White Home, amongst them academics, army households and LGBT+ advocates.
