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It's an EGOT for Elton John

ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:

Elton John has achieved a new status.

JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:

And, no, we do not mean knighthood. He got that back in 1998.

SHAPIRO: Sir Elton John became the 19th person ever to become an EGOT winner. That is an artist who has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

SUMMERS: He was waiting for an Emmy to finish out that set. And last night...

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

CAROL BURNETT: And the Emmy goes to "Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium."

(APPLAUSE)

SUMMERS: ...He won for outstanding variety special, filmed during his last show in North America at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

(SOUNDBITE OF DOCUMENTARY, "ELTON JOHN LIVE: FAREWELL FROM DODGER STADIUM")

ELTON JOHN: (Singing) So goodbye, yellow brick road, where the dogs of society howl.

SHAPIRO: Elton John couldn't be at the Emmys to accept the award. He is recovering from knee surgery. But in a statement, he said that he was incredibly grateful and humbled.

SUMMERS: He started collecting for the EGOT back in 1987, when he won his first Grammy for "That's What Friends Are For," a collaboration with Dionne Warwick and friends.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR")

STEVIE WONDER: (Singing) Keep smiling. Keep shining, knowing you can always count on me for sure 'cause I tell you that's what friends are for.

SHAPIRO: In 1995, he earned his first Oscar for "The Lion King's" "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT?")

JOHN: (Singing) And can you feel the love tonight? It is where we are.

SUMMERS: And in 2000, he took home a Tony for best original score for the musical "Aida."

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "MY STRONGEST SUIT")

SHERIE RENE SCOTT: (As Amneris, singing) I would rather wear a barrel than conservative apparel, for dress has always been my strongest suit.

SHAPIRO: Elton John is the third pop star to complete the EGOT set, in good company with Jennifer Hudson and John Legend.

(SOUNDBITE OF DOCUMENTARY, "ELTON JOHN LIVE: FAREWELL FROM DODGER STADIUM")

JOHN: (Vocalizing). (Singing) What do you think you'll do then? Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

Sarah Handel
[Copyright 2024 NPR]