An emotional Sir Elton John was left “flabbergasted” after US President Joe Biden presented him with a surprise humanities medal recognising his storied career and advocacy work to end HIV and Aids.
After a performance at the White House on 23 September, the performer appeared shocked to see the president announce that he would be awarded the National Humanities Medal.
A proclamation stated that the award recognised his career “moving our souls with his powerful voice in one of the defining song books of all time” and “as 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”.
“I think we surprised him,” the president joked.
The White House event – “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme” – included an audience of roughly 2,000 “everyday history-makers”, including teachers, nurses and representatives from LGBT+ advocacy groups,...
After a performance at the White House on 23 September, the performer appeared shocked to see the president announce that he would be awarded the National Humanities Medal.
A proclamation stated that the award recognised his career “moving our souls with his powerful voice in one of the defining song books of all time” and “as 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”.
“I think we surprised him,” the president joked.
The White House event – “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme” – included an audience of roughly 2,000 “everyday history-makers”, including teachers, nurses and representatives from LGBT+ advocacy groups,...
- 9/24/2022
- by Alex Woodward
- The Independent - Music
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Elton John said Friday that he’d played in some beautiful venues, but the stage in front of the White House, beneath a massive tent on a perfect autumn night, was “probably the icing on the cake.”
Then he kicked off the show with “Your Song,” his first big international hit.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed the 75-year-old singer, talking about his activism, the power of his music and his all-around goodness. The event was dreamed up and paid for by A+E and the History Channel.
“Seamus Heaney once wrote, and I quote, ‘Once in a lifetime, the longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme,” Biden said. “Throughout his incredible career, Sir Elton John has been that tidal wave, a tidal wave to help people rise up and make hope and history rhyme.
Elton John said Friday that he’d played in some beautiful venues, but the stage in front of the White House, beneath a massive tent on a perfect autumn night, was “probably the icing on the cake.”
Then he kicked off the show with “Your Song,” his first big international hit.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed the 75-year-old singer, talking about his activism, the power of his music and his all-around goodness. The event was dreamed up and paid for by A+E and the History Channel.
“Seamus Heaney once wrote, and I quote, ‘Once in a lifetime, the longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme,” Biden said. “Throughout his incredible career, Sir Elton John has been that tidal wave, a tidal wave to help people rise up and make hope and history rhyme.
- 9/24/2022
- by the Associated Press
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (Ejaf) raised more than $4.4 million at its 2017 annual New York Fall Gala to support HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, supporting services, and advocacy programs across the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean.
Sting and Billy Joel attend the Elton John AIDS Foundation New York Fall Gala
Credit/Copyright: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
American Airlines, Bvlgari, Robert K. Kraft, Leonard and Judy Lauder Fund, and Bob and Tamar Manoukian served as the Presenting Sponsors of the benefit. The star-studded evening was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Commemorating the Foundation’s 25th year since it was established by Sir Elton John in the fall of 1992, the evening’s program was devoted to honoring Elton for his leadership, commitment, and enduring vision as the Founder and driving force of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. To start off the evening,...
Sting and Billy Joel attend the Elton John AIDS Foundation New York Fall Gala
Credit/Copyright: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
American Airlines, Bvlgari, Robert K. Kraft, Leonard and Judy Lauder Fund, and Bob and Tamar Manoukian served as the Presenting Sponsors of the benefit. The star-studded evening was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Commemorating the Foundation’s 25th year since it was established by Sir Elton John in the fall of 1992, the evening’s program was devoted to honoring Elton for his leadership, commitment, and enduring vision as the Founder and driving force of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. To start off the evening,...
- 11/28/2017
- Look to the Stars
As the 30th anniversary of the first AIDS diagnosis approaches, Anderson Cooper will take a look at the history of the battle and the latest medical breakthroughs. Hope Survives: 30 Years of AIDS will air on CNN this Friday, January 14th, at 9 Pm Est.
From the press release:
In addition to Anderson Cooper’s in-depth interview with Sir Elton John about his foundation’s work to end the disease, the show will also include interviews with Academy-award winning actress Mo’nique, Project Runway’s Mondo Guerra, Phill Wilson, Founder and Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute and co-founder of Greater Than AIDS, a new national movement developed with the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The special hour will also feature emotional clips from famous personalities on their personal “Deciding Moment” that changed how they think about the disease...
From the press release:
In addition to Anderson Cooper’s in-depth interview with Sir Elton John about his foundation’s work to end the disease, the show will also include interviews with Academy-award winning actress Mo’nique, Project Runway’s Mondo Guerra, Phill Wilson, Founder and Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute and co-founder of Greater Than AIDS, a new national movement developed with the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The special hour will also feature emotional clips from famous personalities on their personal “Deciding Moment” that changed how they think about the disease...
- 1/12/2011
- by snicks
- The Backlot
It has been 20 years since Elton John was a pallbearer at his friend Ryan White's funeral. But the music legend has never forgotten the impact the brave teenager had on educating the world about living with AIDS. In memorial to White, who died at age 18 in 1990 of complications from the disease, the music legend will perform Wednesday night at a fundraiser for the Elton John AIDS Foundation at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. "Ryan dedicated his life to helping future generations of children," his mother, Jeanne White-Ginder, said in a statement. "This event will celebrate Ryan's life and...
- 4/28/2010
- by Zach Haberman
- PEOPLE.com
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