Plot Synopsis

Named in honor of the legendary songwriting team George and Ira Gershwin, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GERSHWIN PRIZE FOR POPULAR SONG is given annually to a composer or performer whose lifetime contributions exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins. The Gershwin Prize was first awarded to Paul Simon in 2007, followed by Stevie Wonder (2009), Sir Paul McCartney (2010), the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David (2012), Carole King (2013), Billy Joel (2014), Willie Nelson (2015), Smokey Robinson (2016), Tony Bennett (2017), Emilio & Gloria Estefan (2019), Garth Brooks (2020), Lionel Richie (2022), Joni Mitchell (2023), Elton John & Bernie Taupin (2024). There was no honoree in 2021 (because of COVID-19) nor 2018.
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On Monday, April 8, 2024 from 8-10pm (check local listings), PBS premieres ELTON JOHN AND BERNIE TAUPIN: THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GERSHWIN PRIZE FOR POPULAR SONG. A once-in-a-lifetime meeting between Elton John, a young piano player, and lyricist Bernie Taupin together in 1967, they have forged a songwriting partnership that continues after more than 50 years. Their process seems simple: Taupin writes lyrics and sends them to John who goes to work at the piano and creates a song. The results of their enduring partnership have been simply incredible. "Your Song," "Tiny Dancer," "Rocket Man" "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" are just a few songs they wrote together that became timeless standards. Not to mention the fun they had with "Bennie and The Jets" and "Crocodile Rock," which became their first No. 1 single in the U.S. in 1973.

"I've been writing songs with Bernie for 56 years, and we never thought that that one day this might be bestowed upon us," Elton John said. "It's an incredible honor for two British guys to be recognized like this. I'm so honored."

The ceremony took place on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, featuring performances by 2023 Gershwin Prize honoree Joni Mitchell, 2020 Gershwin Prize honoree Garth Brooks, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Metallica, Maren Morris, Billy Porter, Charlie Puth and Jacob Lusk of Gabriels, along with appearances by John and Taupin. Porter hosts the television event.