Joni Mitchell shares cover of Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’
Metallica and Joni Mitchell were among the musical talents who paid tribute to the career of Elton John and his collaborator Bernie Taupin at the Gershwin Prize ceremony.
Although the occasion took place on March 20th at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington D.C., footage has now been released by PBS of the landmark event. Other performers included Maren Morris, Jacob Lusk, Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Annie Lennox.
The ceremony was hosted by Billy Porter, who was in charge of a memorable night that saw John and Taupin receive the Gershwin Prize for ‘Popular Song’. With the win, the duo follow in the footsteps of icons including Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson, Tony Bennett, and Lionel Richie.
During the show, Metallica took to the stage to cover ‘Funeral for a Friend’ and ‘Love Lies Bleeding’. Meanwhile, Mitchell, who has only returned to playing live in the last two years, dazzled the crowd with a rendition of ‘I’m Still Standing‘ with the assistance of Carlile and Lennox.
Although Elton has officially retired from touring, he is still an active performer and closed out the ceremony with a rousing mini-set. John sang ‘Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters’, ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’ before welcoming Taupin to the stage for ‘Your Song’.
Before the ceremony, John said of the award: “I’ve been writing songs with Bernie for 56 years, and we never thought that 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.”
Meanwhile, Taupin remarked of the accolade: “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.”
After John retired from touring in 2023, his career with Taupin is currently being celebrated across the globe. Last November, Taupin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Elton revealed the pair were in the process of recording a new studio album.
John told the crowd at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony of their partnership: “Our success story is what it is, you all know… Through the years, we grew, and we grew, and we grew. We climbed mountains that we never thought were possible to climb, and we scaled heights that we never thought were possible to scale. And throughout that time, we never ever really had an argument.”
Furthermore, in addition to his recent recording activities, John remains committed to his Apple Music 1 radio show, Rocket Hour. While he may no longer be touring, the singer still maintains a hectic schedule and a full-blown retirement remains off the table.
Watch Mitchell cover ‘I’m Still Standing’ below.
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