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The British superstar performed hit songs such
as "Rocketman," "Your Song" and "Tiny Dancer" from the South
Lawn, singing and playing piano in an open air structure set up
for the performance, which at one point moved Biden to tears.
"Like so many Americans, our family loves his music," Biden said
when introducing the singer. "It's clear Elton John's music has
changed our lives."
John, who declined to play for former President Donald Trump's
inauguration, agreed to perform for the Bidens as one of a
handful of mainstream celebrities who are returning to the White
House after years of avoiding it.
His performance was part of a celebration to honor people the
White House called everyday heroes: nurses, emergency and mental
health workers, teachers, LGBTQ+ advocates and activists.
John said playing at the White House was "icing on the cake"
after a career of performing in beautiful venues. In between
songs he spoke of his fight against HIV/AIDS and praised former
President George W. Bush, a Republican, for his efforts to
combat AIDS in Africa through the U.S. President's Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program.
Former first lady Laura Bush was one of the guests at the
performance.
John noted that the fight against AIDS in the United States had
support from Republicans and Democrats.
"I just wish America could be more bipartisan," he said.
At the end of the evening, Biden moved John to tears by
surprising him with the National Humanities Medal.
"I'm flabbergasted," John said. "I will treasure this."
The performance was paid for by A&E Networks and The History
Channel, which is part of A&E, and will air at a later date. A&E
Networks is a joint venture of Disney-ABC Television Group and
Hearst.
The performance was called "A Night When Hope and History
Rhyme," drawn from a poem by Irish writer Seamus Heaney. Biden
regularly quotes Heaney and is an aficionado of Irish sayings
and poetry.
Biden has a special relationship with John's music. He wrote in
his 2017 memoir "Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and
Purpose" about singing "Crocodile Rock" to his son Beau as a
child and again as an adult when Beau was dying from cancer.
John included that song in his playlist on Friday.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Nandita Bose and Jeff
Mason; Editing by Leslie Adler and Gerry Doyle)
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