Elton John Performs "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" | The Gershwin Prize | PBS

Official website: to.pbs.org/41e... | #GershwinPrizePBS
Elton John performs the classic "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" at the 2024 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song concert honoring Elton John and Bernie Taupin at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., March 30, 2024.
The song, composed with long-time songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, was released in 1973 as the first single from Elton John's best-selling album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
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About the Gershwin Prize:
The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song is the nation’s highest award for influence, impact and achievement in the field of popular song. It was established in 2007 to recognize and honor the artists whose creative works, both printed and recorded, are collected, preserved, made accessible, and valued by the nation’s library. It acknowledges the preeminent place of popular song in modern society and its vital role in expressing and deepening the personal and shared values of our time.
Gershwin Honorees are selected by the Librarian of Congress in consultation with music specialists within the Library, former Gershwin Prize Honorees, and eminent outside experts in the field, including scholars, publishers, producers, composers and performers.

[@huntercarmical9088]

Seeing James Hetfield in the crowd playing air guitar like a little kid is the absolute best!

[@bobabooey4537]

Elton and Metallica have this mutual respect and bond that I really like. Not sure if it stems from the Stern interview and Nothing Else Matters, or if they knew each other before.... but its a pretty cool thing to see. Metallica performs, does a great job and has front row seats.

[@ricksoden6838]

sober

[@robertmichalscheck3072]

They grew up listening to Elton like the rest of us did.

[@jdenino6022]

@@robertmichalscheck3072 I think that James is about 60 which is the right age to be an EJ fan in the 1970s. I'm a few years older than him so I got to witness EJ's golden period when Crocodile Rock came out I was about 12 then his other albums...I loved that song and his other hits. Later I moved on to harder rock...I also had his albums too.

[@robertmichalscheck3072]

@@jdenino6022 I was about 12 when crocodile rock came out too,the music was so great back then.

[@mideeone]

Elton's original band members, Nigel Olsson, Davey Johnstone and Ray Cooper, as well as the late Dee Murray, deserve accolades in their own right! Captain Fantastic 🎹 and his Fantastic Band! 🎸 🥁 🎶

[@MrNategriffin]

amen

[@The_momur]

My favorite electric trio of all time is Dee, Nigel & Elton; the live 17/11/70 band. So many to choose from, they captured something indescribable, dramatic and strong.

[@OneEyedDronie]

77 years old SERIOUSLY !!

[@pbc78-p7u]

I am. Living my best life, too.

[@lifesabitch8012]

LOVE SEEING ELTON SINGING & PLAYING THE PIANO AGAIN! DEFINITELY A LEGEND! WELL DESERVED STANDING OVATION FROM EVERYONE!!💯☝️🎶🎹💞🎤😘🤗❤️🫶🤩🔥🌞👍❣️🎉🎹💞🎤

[@perryhughes9429]

Much respect to this legend... Captain Fantastic!!!!!

[@tommortlock8783]

I'm one of the Metallica fans that was drawn to this show and Elton is killing this, the whole band on point. Its unreal he plays and sings like that at his age

[@maxbeale8186]

Elton may be done touring but he will keep on rocking 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@BabyLambCreations]

Elton John being an amazing singer and piano player like always. Love this performance!

[@Petermusic1965]

Great riffs and guitar playing by Davey did help make Elton and Bernies songs superb!!

[@fifermcgee5971]

You are so right, he is amazing.

[@THCya9796]

I’ve got chills. Absolute masters.

[@CHETinnit]

Elton is awesome!

[@pbc78-p7u]

Central Park, NYC, summer of 79....jamming in the sheep meadow with thousands of others...for FREEEEEEEE! He outdid himself, and I loved every minute of it.

[@novac0844]

may be 80, september?

[@pbc78-p7u]

@novac0844 oh. You're correct. Thank you. I just remembered it was hot, crowded, and fabulous.

[@fifermcgee5971]

What a fantastic evening. Thank you Elton and Bernie, you two have brought so much enjoyment to a lot of people.

[@HolyPretty]

I had the Privilege to meet Sir Elton John when he lived in Atlanta, Ga. My friend knew him and told Elton I was a Big Fan and would like to meet him. The big pretty white piano was in the Living room. Beautiful Condo. Everything was white and stunning. I ask if he would sing for me and he did 3 songs. I had a wonderful visit. Sir Elton John is very kind and down to earth. I will never forget my visit. ❤

[@balezes]

That is an ultimate dream right there

[@LoriCurl]

I am the same age as Metallica. They remember the young Elton John and Bernie Taupin days, like it was yesterday as I do, I am positive. This music was very popular when we all were younger on to this very day. Been a headbanger my entire life so I really, really enjoyed Metallica and their rendition of a fave Elton song of mine! They ruled the night!!❤‍🔥🤘❤‍🔥🤘❤‍🔥Elton, The legend!!🎹🎶🎹🎶🎹

[@mariannemaitino8128]

I got to see him twice. Great shows.

[@seekingrainbows]

Fuking CHILLS!! Sir Elton John, you are magical!!!✨🤍🎶

[@Bluzian74]

Reg is a legend. His true understanding of chord structures, musical expression, melodic / word interpretation and mishmashing of genres is just... out of this world. LEGEND.

[@Motchy92]

I wish I had Elton John's talent!

[@sjwilloughby-greene8214]

I ❤ Sir Elton John. You don't know me, but know this your sweet spirit & music and my faith has saved my life many nights. Thank you Sir. ✌️💛💛💛☀️

[@aviationphan1847]

People underestimate his singing. When he had an operation on his voice it apparently changed and affected the higher register. People forget how he has changed the key of songs to still them well live

[@satyabratamishra4670]

this is in original key try playing along to this on a piano. hes only lowered the key of two songs and those are goodbye yellow brick road and someone saved my life tonight

[@eltontothemax]

@@satyabratamishra4670Bitch Is Back is half a step down from original, too - but I think that may be for guitar tuning rather than EJ’s vox.

[@maxbeale8186]

Still my favourite song by Sir Elton after all these years, rocks hard

[@miketodd185]

I was fortunate enough to goto an Elton concert in 2007… His presence and his performance was nothing less than Stellar… One of the Best shows I’ve ever been too… I will never forget it… 👊🏼💯💙😎

[@Gaire-xv6qh]

It's such a an awesome experience huh? It's world class and everyone in the attendance knows it. Very very special! I'm glad you got to go!!!!

[@deborahkizer4664]

Never did get to see him live. That would have been amazing. Love you sir ❤️.

[@Yourmission9]

My wife bought tickets for an Elton John concert back in 2017 because he’s one of my favorites, at any rate it was one of his farewell tours and I never got to see him live, our kids were babies at the time, babysitter was stuck in traffic, by the time we got to the venue we’d realized people had waited since midnight the night before to see him, it was rows of traffic still and he was already on, so we had to turn around😭 would lobe to see him live someday

[@fifermcgee5971]

What a pity.

[@roxannefebuary6823]

That's so sad. I kinda hope by some miracle he would get in contact with you and get you tickets. Here's hoping.

[@Elijah.Ashman]

I love Bernie! It's so nice seeing him look so proud of his work!!

[@lianalopez3448]

Amazing Elton! You are a performer high talent and timeless in your delivery of a song!

[@dennismarsh1504]

Love Elton John, a real rock legend

[@randallbosin5262]

I wonder if this will be the last time we ever get to see Elton perform given that he's now "retired."

[@jaggass]

He's retired from touring but he'll always carrying on performing at award or tv shows from time to time.

[@jamievincent7825]

This song is one of my favourites from Elton John and also for am still standing but am still a fan of Elton John now that am biggest fan of Elvis

[@Jake_Piotrowski]

Incredible performance! Elton is still going strong and his piano improvisation near the end is incredible! We ❤ you Elton ⭐️

[@thew60]

As incredible as this is, what’s even more amazing is that there are three original band members playing here who recorded that song in 1973.

[@mynameisnoonesbusiness4488]

Now That’s Rock and Roll!

[@cathieleccese6469]

Elton kicking butts and taking names💓

[@ShyDog827]

So beautiful and inspirational 💐

[@PiazzaGurl]

What Metallica Fan just got excited seeing Papa Het singing along and rocking out!! ❤❤❤❤ ahhhhhh I sure did. Love James. Love all my guys on Metallica. I love the respect Elton and Metallica give one another. Music is Music and if you vibing, that’s all that matters.

[@robertbell2786]

He's just awesome!

[@jackieguccione94]

Dont sound that bad for an old MAN he can make up for the SINGING with his extraordinary piano play

[@jdenino6022]

He’s pushing 80 years old.

[@RJS1974]

He looks like he’s in bad health. I give him props for still playing.

[@jdenino6022]

@@RJS1974 He just had knee surgery I think and he needs to lose some weight. He just turned 77. That is up there. So many others have died by that age.

[@mideeone]

​@jdenino6022 He has said that if he didn't get off drugs and alcohol, he would've ended up like Elvis. He's 34 years clean and sober! 👏

[@randallbosin5262]

This was a great tribute to both of them. So glad they included Bernie; lyricists often get overlooked. I just wonder why they didn't honor them long ago.

[@G2mxrZ]

Legend!!!💙

[@vjr5261]

Rock n Roll man forever

[@infernow2125]

The lack of touring has sicnifigantly cleared up elton's voice tbh

[@ziggystardust360]

I agree! His voice since after the pandemic has really came back. He just needed a little break!

[@marksieber4626]

Got to see EJ in State College Pa with a beautiful woman who would later become my wife. Great concert!

[@Motchy92]

My dream: in my next life I want to be Elton John.

[@xelamercedes]

Brandi Carlisle is an old soul. No other explanation for the way she "gets" music that was written before she was even born.

[@isaev1982s]

Здоровья и всего самого лучшего !!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@melaniamonicacraciun9900]

Now that Maestro Elton John is wearing my favorite ...pajamas😂😂😂😅😅😅he can wake up the sleeping universe & rooooock, time for feeling just fine ❤🎉❤

[@thierrydiot8271]

trop fort !!!!!

[@chip9177]

Front row center, Red Piano, Vegas - even on stage for a song

[@judihart5024]

You’re not right he’s fantastic

[@thecyberskeleton9589]

Captain fantastic

[@DarinShortcom]

So cool to see James Hetfield rockin' out. EJ is an awesome as ever.

[@scottyahney8565]

"LEGEND"

[@luciliaaccioly5561]

❤❤❤

[@alisoncasswell1866]

Guess most of the crowd have never had a ‘Saturday night’😊😊

[@laurab.6625]

Someone please tell me who that woman is in the blue jacket in the front row. This is the second completely unrelated video I have seen her in.

[@scottstuit9305]

Are we really going to wait for Brian Wilson to die before presenting him with The Gershwin Prize? George and Ira along with The Four Freshmen were his earliest and most influencial inspiration. Didn't we learn with Prince, Tom Petty, O'Conner, Winehouse, Cornell, and Van Halen? ⌚⏳ ⏳ ⏳⏰

[@sonicranger8481]

Knuckles: Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself!

[@xelamercedes]

Talk about owning the room....was anyone present not at least tapping their toes? This music was irresistible at the time and will likely remain so for several more generations. I suspect a lot of the "music" created in the intervening years will not fare as well.

[@sallygar312]

He's so much better than Jerry Lee Lewis.

[@franciscoarzaga4384]

Who is he ?

[@mikepatin7112]

Was that Joni Mitchell?

[@richardareed3512]

EJ speech to text

[@TheProhetess]

Moi

[@Clodhopping]

Pretty grim stuff - just thumping away and shouting 😯

[@slvrbck8741]

Ok, I used to think it was cuz they couldn't actually hear the music...this debunked that😢

[@lw3918]

THIS is the song Metallica should have done!

[@Killenmachine05]

Yikes, time to put Nigel olsen out to pasture...

[@jdenino6022]

He's been with Elton since 1970 or 1971. That's a LONG TIME.

[@chrisfertnig5259]

Rock n Roll for the tuxedo crowd. Love EJ but this is cringy.

[@thelevisullivan]

He’s a rock and roll artist. What do you expect?

[@RJS1974]

He’s 77 and not in great health. Maybe cut him some slack?

[@satyabratamishra4670]

he played at a faster tempo in the farewell tour.

[@RJS1974]

@@satyabratamishra4670 Yes. Clearly He looked not well on this night. At 77 yo and with him having prostate cancer, gall bladder removed, hip replacement all in the last three years who knows what’s going on.

[@satyabratamishra4670]

@@RJS1974 he cried before singing these songs. and he recently had knee surgery after the tour ended as you see the brace on his foot right there. his voice sounds better tho. he def could have sang in a faster tempo. he sang a bit of the last chorus the way he did in the 90s he def could have been more gutsy but played it safe.

[@korribier-lo3nm]

❤❤❤❤

[@richardareed3512]

EJ speech to text