Elton John Surprised with National Humanities Medal at White House Event
Elton John performed at a special White House event last night (September 23.) Unbeknownst to him, the event would see him receive a surprise honor from President Joe Biden. As…
Elton John performed at a special White House event last night (September 23.) Unbeknownst to him, the event would see him receive a surprise honor from President Joe Biden.
As previously reported, Sir Elton's performance was part of an event called "A Night When Hope and History Rhyme." The bipartisan event hosted various activists and other community leaders including teachers, nurses, frontline workers, mental health advocates, students, LGBTQ+ advocates and more.
President Biden awarded John with the National Humanities Medal for his humanitarian work fighting HIV/AIDS. John was visibly moved and genuinely surprised by the honor. He said, in part, "I'm never flabbergasted, but I'm flabbergasted." He added, "America's kindness to me, as a musician, is second to none, but in the war against AIDS and HIV, it's even bigger."
"A Night When Hope and History Rhyme" is a collaboration between A&E Networks and The History Channel. The event will air at a yet-to-be-determined later date.
Elton John is undoubtedly one of music's biggest icons of all time, but he might just be a fashion icon as well.
Since the '70s, Sir Elton has pushed the envelope both on stage and off. Take a look through the gallery below at 16 wild outfits from Elton.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Tommaso Boddi/Getty ImagesEven the most conservative of Elton John's red carpet looks involve incredible eye wear, which is just one of many reasons why he's so beloved.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesIs this look very '80s? Yes, but I'd put good money on Sir Elton still being able to pull this off today!
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesEmbroidery, sequins and ruffles?! Elton John has never met an accent he didn't like.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Ian Gavan/Getty ImagesSir Elton is one of the few people in the history of time that can be both elegant and flashy. He's truly the best!
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesIf you thought Slash was the only rock star to perfectly pull off a top hat, you've clearly never seen this photo.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesElton John, and only Elton John, can make an Ed Hardy-inspired design look absolutely elegant.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesRoyal blue for music royalty? Obviously!
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesThe fact Elton matched the color of his lenses to his sequined blazer is the definition of thoughtful.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesIs it a robe? A cape? It doesn't matter, and I want one in every color.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
McCarthy/Express Newspapers/Getty ImagesA stage costume? Nope...just another Tuesday.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Claire Greenway/Getty ImagesCaptain Morgan wishes he had as much swagger as Sir Elton!
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Getty ImagesThis isn't a staged photo for the "Got Milk?" campaign. This was actually a candid of Elton enjoying a glass of milk at home.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
John Minihan/Evening Standard/Getty ImagesFrankly, a jacket that's around 30-40 percent lapel is a look that should come back.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Jack Kay/Express/Getty ImagesOne cool thing about this photo being black and white is pretending that Sir Elton is dressed like the grooviest bee EVER!
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesNew rule: All military uniforms must be at minimum 20 percent bedazzled.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Gabe Palacio/ImageDirectNote to self: No matter how hard you try, Elton's blazer game will be superior to pretty much anyone else on the face of the Earth.
