The singer was given an honor that only very few musicians are granted during their lifetime.
Elton John has been an EGOT since Monday (January 15). This means he has won at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and also a Tony Award. Depending on your point of view, he is either the first or the 19th person to achieve this.
How did that happen? The Emmys were awarded in Los Angeles on Monday. The singer won best variety special with “Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium”. A small downside: The 76-year-old songwriter was unable to accept the award due to knee surgery.
Producer Ben Winston, who was on stage with John’s husband David Furnish to accept the award, said: “I’m not Elton John, unfortunately he’s had knee surgery. He is doing absolutely fine, but wanted to convey his love and gratitude to the Television Academy for this incredible award.”
Winston continued: “We knew this concert would be historic because it would be Elton’s last gig on his North American tour and because it was Disney’s first global live broadcast. Little did we know that we were also making history with it because he would become an EGOT.”
The recognition as EGOT is also referred to as the “Grand Slam” of show business, based on tennis. Previously, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brroks, Whoopie Goldberg and Andrew Lloyd Webber managed to receive this honor. It was only last year that Viloa Davis joined the circle of four-time prize winners.
All EGOT award winners at a glance
- Richard Rodgers
- Helen Hayes
- Rita Moreno
- John Gielgud
- Audrey Hepburn (posthumous)
- Marvin Hamlisch
- Jonathan Tunick
- Mel Brooks
- Mike Nichols
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Scott Rudin
- Robert Lopez
- John Legend
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Tim Rice
- Alan Menken
- Jennifer Hudson
- Viola Davis
- Elton John