Elton John given National Humanities Medal at White House concert
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By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
WASHINGTON — Elton John is still standing, but just barely, after he was surprised with a National Humanities Medal presented to him by President Joe Biden on Friday after a performance by the music icon at the White House’s South Lawn.
“I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted,” John, 75, told the audience, telling Biden he would “treasure” the honor, CNN and Variety reported.
John is on a long farewell tour in the U.S., and his appearance at the White House was part of a bigger celebration to honor people the White House called “everyday history makers,” The New York Times reported. That included teachers, nurses, students, activists, mental health workers and first responders, according to the newspaper. Also in attendance were former first lady Laura Bush, civil rights activist Ruby Bridges and education activist Malala Yousafzai, The Associated Press reported.
John, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, received seven standing ovations as he played some of his biggest hits, Variety reported. Hits by the “Rocket Man” included “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocket Man,” “Your Song” and “I’m Still Standing.”
John spoke about his work since creating the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1991 and said he wanted to eliminate the disease by 2030, the entertainment outlet reported.
“We can do it, and we will,” John told the audience.
Also in attendance at the concert was Jeanne White-Ginder, an AIDS activist and mother of Ryan White, who died from AIDS-related complications in 1990, the AP reported.
The medal, according to the Friday presentation, was to honor John “for moving our souls with his powerful voice and one of the defining song books of all time,” CNN reported
“An enduring icon and advocate with absolute courage, who found purpose to challenge convention, shatter stigma and advance the simple truth -- that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” the presentation continued.
John was at the White House to perform in a concert titled “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme,” in collaboration with A&E Networks and The History Channel, Variety reported.
As the audience cheered, Biden stepped up to the singer and presented the award.
“Tonight is my great honor, and I mean this sincerely, to present the National Humanities Medal to Sir Elton John,” Biden said.
John was visibly moved.
“America’s kindness to me as a musician is second to none, but in the war against AIDS and HIV it’s even bigger,” John said. “I’m really emotional about this.”
The English Singer Elton John in the delivery of a prize, 1973, Madrid, Spain. (Gianni Ferrari/Cover/Getty Images)
7th November 1973: British singer-songwriter and vice-president of Watford FC Elton John and Rod Stewart wearing Watford strip at Vicarage Road. (Sydney O'Meara/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
12th September 1974: English pop star Elton John relaxes on a sofa and listens to some music. (D. Morrison/Express/Getty Images)
5th May 1974: British pop singer and pianist Elton John on stage before a vast crowd at an open-air concert. (Jack Kay/Express/Getty Images)
12th September 1974: English pop star Elton John with a suitcase of his trademark sunglasses. (D. Morrison/Express/Getty Images)
Pop singer, pianist and football club chairman Elton John leads Watford Football Club team out onto the pitch. (Tim Graham/Getty Images)
26th March 1974: 27 year old Elton John, born Reginald Dwight, performing at the Room At The Top, Ilford, London. (David Ashdown/Keystone/Getty Images)
British pop singer and pianist Elton John pulls a face while playing the piano during a concert at the Rainbow Theatre, London. (Robin Jones/Getty Images)
April 1978: English singer-songwriter Elton John, born Reginald Dwight in 1947, making his acceptance speech at the 1978 NME Awards. (Fox Photos/Getty Images)
October 1978: Pop singer and pianist Elton John (formerly Reg Dwight) embraces pop singer Kiki Dee, as a group of fans look on. (Evening Standard/Getty Images)
16th December 1982: English pop star, Elton John, performing in a colourful costume at the Hammersmith Odeon. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
English pop star Elton John performs in a military-style costume with gold epaulettes at the Hammersmith Odeon, 16th December 1982. (Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Elton John pictured wearing a typically flamboyant costume 3rd December 1984. (McCarthy/Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Elton John pictured wearing a typically flamboyant costume 3rd December 1984. (McCarthy/Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
FEBRUARY 14 1984 : ELTON JOHN AND RENATE BLAUEL AT ST MARK'S CHURCH .(Patrick Riviere/Getty Images)
FEBRUARY 14 1984 : ELTON JOHN AND RENATE BLAUEL AT ST MARK'S CHURCH .(Patrick Riviere/Getty Images)
4th December 1987: British actor and comedian Griff Rhys-Jones and Mel Smith, stars of the new TV comedy series 'The World According To Smith and Jones' with singer-songwriter Elton John at the Paladium. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
English singer Elton John performing at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris, 23rd March 1989. (Douglas Doig/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Elton John and Tony Bennett at the Rainforest Foundation Benefit at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY April 17, 1999 (Scott Gries/ImageDirect)
Elton John and Sandra Bernhard at the Rainforest Foundation Benefit at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY April 17, 1999 (Scott Gries/ImageDirect)
Elton John and Billy Joel at the Rainforest Foundation Benefit at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY April 17, 1999 (Scott Gries/ImageDirect)
MAIDENHEAD, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 05: A notice of Civil Partnership for Sir Elton John and David Furnish is pinned to a notice board in Maidenhead Town Hall on December 5, 2005 in Maidenhead, England. (Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: Queen Elizabeth II is introduced to Sir Elton John (L) backstage by Gary Barlow (R) after the Diamond Jubilee, Buckingham Palace Concert June 04, 2012 in London, England. (Dave Thompson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Elton John performs at Madison Square Garden on December 3, 2013 in New York City. (Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Musician Elton John performs at the Barclays Center on December 31, 2014 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. This was the first time he has performed in New York City on a New Year's Eve. (Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
(L-R) Sir Elton John, recording artist Ed Sheeran and David Furnish attend the 22nd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for EJAF)
Recording artists Lady Gaga (L) and Elton John attend the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Recording artist Sir Elton John smiles as he competes in the World TeamTennis Smash Hits charity tennis event benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation at Caesars Palace on October 10, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 03: Elton John performs live at Twickenham Stoop on June 3, 2017 in London, England. (Ian Gavan/Getty Images for Harlequins)
President Bill Clinton and Sir Elton John attend the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
(L-R) David Furnish, Elton John, and Bernie Taupin attend the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards - I'm Still Standing: A GRAMMY Salute To Elton John at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Michael Kovac/Getty Images for NARAS)
David Furnish (L) and Elton John with sons Elijah and Zachary attending the 'Sherlock Gnomes' London Family Gala hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish at Cineworld Leicester Square. (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Sir Elton John smiles during a lecture on 'The Diana, Princess of Wales Lecture on HIV' at French Institute South Kensington on June 8, 2018 in London, England. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - SEPTEMBER 28: Elton John performs onstage during his 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour at Canadian Tire Centre on September 28, 2018 in Ottawa, Canada. (Mark Horton/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 05: Sir Elton John performs onstage at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)