In a spectacular triumph at the 75th annual Emmy Awards on January 13, 2024, music legend Elton John secured the coveted Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) as the executive producer and star of “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.” The special, which captured the essence of his final North American performance, premiered on Disney+ on January 27, 2023, and has since received widespread acclaim.
This win not only solidifies Elton John’s influence in the music industry but also propels him into an elite group of artists known as EGOT winners. The EGOT status is achieved by winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony, a distinction now shared by only 19 individuals.
The 75th annual Emmy Awards faced a unique delay, shifting from its original September 2023 schedule to January 2024 due to union strikes by the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA. Despite the postponement, the ceremony celebrated John’s outstanding contribution to the entertainment world.
Elton John’s journey to EGOT began with a Tony Award in 2000 for his music in “Aida,” a collaboration with lyricist Tim Rice. However, his impact on Broadway extends far beyond this achievement. In 1975, John marked his first Broadway credit when his songs were featured in “Bette Midler’s Clams on the Half Shell Revue.” This was followed by more song features in “Rock ’N Roll! The First 5,000 Years” in 1982.
The pinnacle of John’s Broadway success occurred in 1997 with the premiere of Disney’s “The Lion King” at the New Amsterdam Theatre. His contribution to the musical earned him his first Tony nomination for Best Original Musical Score, and to this day, the show continues to captivate audiences worldwide with nine productions across four continents, performed in nine languages.
Elton John’s Broadway journey continued with compositions for “Lestat” (2006) and “Billy Elliot” (2010), the latter earning him another Tony nomination for Best Original Score. His musical influence persisted with songs featured in productions like “Everyday Rapture” (2010) and “Rocktopia” (2018). Additionally, he provided additional music for “Holler If Ya Hear Me” and “Almost Famous” and earned a Tony nomination for Best Play as a producer for “Next Fall” in 2010.
Beyond Broadway, Elton John is a two-time Oscar winner, with his song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King” winning Best Original Song. His second Oscar came for “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” in the biopic “Rocketman,” depicting his extraordinary life and career.
With a remarkable 35 Grammy Award nominations and five wins, Elton John’s influence spans various musical genres. Notable wins include Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “That’s What Friends Are For” in 1987, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” in 1995, and a Best Musical Show Album win for “Aida” in 2001 with Tim Rice.
In a surprising turn of events, “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium” triumphed over tough competition in the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category, beating out the 75th annual Tony Awards broadcast, “The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna,” “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” and “The Oscars.”
As Elton John adds an Emmy to his impressive collection, the music icon continues to leave an indelible mark on the entertainment world, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest artists of all time.
Sir Elton John has been a tidal wave throughout his career to help people rise up and make hope and history rhyme.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 16, 2024
Six Grammy Awards.
Two Oscars.
One Tony.
And now, one Emmy.
Congratulations Elton — a singer and songwriter of our time, for all time. pic.twitter.com/xzDLJPx6py
