Joni Mitchell, Garth Brooks, Brandi Carlile, Metallica and others are gathering in Washington, D.C. tonight (March 20) to pay tribute to Elton John and Bernie Taupin as they're honored with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
Other artists set to perform include Annie Lennox, Maren Morris, Billy Porter, Charlie Puth and Jacob Lusk of Gabriels. Honorees John and Taupin will also appear, while Porter will serve as host.
The concert, officially titled Elton John & Bernie Taupin: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, will be televised on PBS stations across the U.S. on April 8 at 8 p.m. ET and will also stream on PBS.org and the PBS App.
Along with the all-star lineup, the show will feature a crack band of support musicians, including Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez who has been sharing his excitement about the event on Facebook in the days and hours leading up to the concert.
Earlier this month, Inez shared a post from longtime Elton John Band guitarist Davey Johnstone that revealed the band will include another veteran Elton John Band member, drummer Nigel Olsson, along with Kim Bullard, John Mahon, Adam Chester and vocalists Ken Stacy and Carmen Carter. Sista Strings are also slated to perform, according to Johnstone's post.
Today (March 20) Inez posted a photo of himself chowing down on a sandwich and a bag of chips in front of an Elton John road case. He caption the snap "Big night playing some of my favorite songs with some of my favorite humans tonite! #eltonjohn #gershwinprize #brandicarlile #jonimitchell #annielennoxofficial #garthbrooks #charlieputh #jacoblusk #billyporter #marenmorris"
Aside from the concert taping, Taupin is set to appear at the Library of Congress on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET as part of the Live! At the Library series in a conversation with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.
Throughout their more than 50-year partnership, John and Taupin have written such classics as "Your Song," "Tiny Dancer," "Rocket Man" "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Bennie and the Jets," "Crocodile Rock" and more.
"Elton John and Bernie Taupin have written some of the most memorable songs of our lives. Their careers stand out for the quality and broad appeal of their music and their influence on their fellow artists," Hayden said. "More than 50 years ago, they came from across the pond to win over Americans and audiences worldwide with their beautiful songs and rock anthems. We're proud to honor Elton and Bernie with the Gershwin Prize for their incredible impact on generations of music lovers."
