Metallica are set to perform in honour of Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin when the pair receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
The 76-year-old music legend and his longtime songwriting partner, 73, will receive the prestigious accolade – in honour of the late songwriting siblings George and Ira Gershwin – on March 20, in Washington, and an array of artists will be performing for the chart-topping duo, also including Garth Brooks, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, and Maren Morris.
Metallica wrote on X/Twitter: “We are beyond excited and proud to have been invited to perform at a very special event honouring the legendary songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin as they are presented with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.”
A statement read: “We are traveling to Washington, DC, next month to join Garth Brooks, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, and others for the tribute concert and award presentation on March 20. PBS stations nationwide will premiere the concert on Monday April 8 at 8pm ET (check local listings),available via broadcast and streaming on PBS.org and the PBS app.
“Elton and Bernie have been collaborating for 56 years and counting, and together, they have penned some of our lifetime’s most memorable and influential songs. We are thrilled to celebrate this honor with them, and we look forward to an incredible evening of unique performances from their remarkable collection of songs.”
Elton – who has just retired from touring – said of the prize: “I’ve been writing songs with Bernie for 56 years, and we never thought that … one day this might be bestowed upon us.
“It’s an incredible honour for two British guys to be recognised like this. I’m so honoured.”
Bernie commented: “To be in a house along with the great American songwriters, to even be in the same avenue is humbling, and I am absolutely thrilled to accept.”
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden hailed the duo for penning “some of the most memorable songs of our lives.”
She also highlighted “the quality and broad appeal of their music and their influence on their fellow artists.”
The prize was handed to Joni Mitchell in 2023. Previous recipients include Sir Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson, Paul Simon, Lionel Richie, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, and Burt Bacharach and Hal David.