Metallica performed a song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin at Gershwin Prize Ceremony

Metallica, renowned for their metal popularization prowess, stood alongside a constellation of musical icons to honor the legendary songwriting duo, Elton John and Bernie Taupin. This tribute unfolded as the Library of Congress bestowed upon the the esteemed Gershwin Prize for Popular Song on March 20. In the presence of John and Taupin, Metallica unleashed their rendition of the iconic 1973 track "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," the stirring opening track from John's seminal album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Expressing their admiration, Metallica shared on their website their excitement for the event, acknowledging the enduring collaboration spanning over five decades between John and Taupin, and the indelible mark their compositions have left on generations. The camaraderie between Metallica and John is longstanding, underscored by John's contribution to Metallica's 2021 homage album, The Metallica Blacklist.

Their website (as quoted by Guitar World) said of that album: "The Metallica Blacklist offers up new dimensions of the record whose gravitational pull first drew the mainstream to Metallica – and provides new insights into the universal and timeless appeal that kept it there: the boundary-smashing influence these 12 songs have had on fans and musicians of all stripes."

Mutual respect between Metallica and Elton John

John's collaboration with Miley Cyrus on a cover of "Nothing Else Matters" particularly resonated with John, who hailed the song as among the finest ever penned.

The tribute evening saw an array of talents including Joni Mitchell, Charlie Puth, Maren Morris, Annie Lennox, and Brandi Carlile, each delivering their own interpretations of John-Taupin classics. John himself, freshly adorned with an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award), graced the stage to enchant the audience with renditions of timeless hits like "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters," "Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting," and "Your Song."

The entire concert extravaganza will be broadcasted on PBS on April 8 at 8 p.m. ET, promising a captivating celebration of musical legacy and creativity at least for Elton John fans.