Photo: Alex Wong/Getty
SirElton Johnhas another honor to add to his storied career.
The “Rocket Man” singer, 75, was surprised whenPresident Joe Bidenpresented him with the National Humanities Medal at his Friday performance on the South Lawn of the White House.
“Tonight is my great honor, and I mean this sincerely, to present the National Humanities Medal to Sir Elton John,” Biden announced. The music icon looked completely shocked at the announcement, and immediately teared up.
Said John in the moment, “I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted.” He added that he would “treasure” the medal for what it represented. The two shared a hug after Biden placed the medal around John’s neck, and some private words.
Biden said that he and Jill Biden had invited John to the White House to thank him for his music, but also his activism in the global fight against HIV and AIDS. The event, “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme,” was organized in collaboration with The History Channel and A+E Networks.
John performed many of his biggest hits, receiving seven standing ovations for his beloved and well-known catalog including “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocket Man,” “Your Song” and “I’m Still Standing.”
John thanked the audience for their work to fight against HIV and AIDS, even directly addressing Laura Bush for her husband George W. Bush’s work in that space,Variety reported.
“President Bush accelerated the whole thing with his PEPFAR bill,” John said. “We would have never gotten as far without President Bush — please tell him for me, give him a big hug. I just wish America could be more bipartisan on everything.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I’m honored to receive the National Humanities Medal from President Biden and the First Lady during such a spectacular event at the White House,” John said in a statement following the event. “It’s been emotional for me to be recognized for the achievements of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Since I founded the Foundation at my kitchen table in Atlanta 30 years ago, I made a commitment not to leave anyone behind and will continue on this mission.”
“We are striving for a future where people of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, and gender identities have the opportunity to live free from AIDS, stigma, injustice and maltreatment – and I’m so grateful recognition likes this brings us a step closer to making that a reality.”
James Taylorperformed at the White House earlier in September to kick off the celebration of the passage of PresidentJoe Biden’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, according toRolling Stone.
The event is part of the activities returning to the White House following the ease of COVID-19 restrictions. In December, the White House also hosted a pre-taped “In Performance at the White House” event featuring a slew of entertainers includingAndrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Virginia Bocelli,Camila Cabello, Eric Church,Jonas Brothers, Norah Jones, Pentatonix, and Billy Porter.
John has been on his farewell tour for months and will continue to travel the world performing well into next year.
During his appearance on the Hits Radio Breakfast show with Fleur East earlier this month, Johnshared that he will take a breakonce his Farewell Yellow Brick tour wraps for good in Sweden in July 2023.
“After next year when I finish in Stockholm, I’ll go on a bit of a hiatus and figure out what I’m going to do next,” he said.
source: people.com
