ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Elton John Receives France’s Legion d’Honneur Award

The legendary artist was hailed as a “melodic genius” by the French President’s office.

Published on

Elton-John-COVID-19-Emergency-Fund
Photo: John Ruso

Elton John was given the top French civilian award, the Legion d’Honneur, during a ceremony on Friday, 21 June, at Élysée Palace, where the British icon was received the award from President Emmanuel Macron.

After receiving the award at the annual Fete de la Musique, the iconic singer-songwriter spoke to a crowd alongside Macron, using the opportunity to address his charity work, the Associated Press reports.

“Like music, the fight against AIDS has been my passion for many, many years,” John told the audience. “And like music this fight reminds me every day of the extraordinary power of the human spirit. And that things that bind us are stronger than those that divide us. It is this magical human spirit I will carry with me as a proud member of the Legion d’Honneur.”

The legendary artist was hailed as a “melodic genius” by Macron’s office and for being one of the first gay artists who elevated the LGBTQ community. Élysée Palace called John “an icon that knew how to set an example.”

During the ceremony, Macron asked world leaders to give donations to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ahead of an October summit in Lyon, France. He said that 27 million people have been treated and saved through the Global Fund that raised about 13 billion euros in 2016.

“We must do better,” he said, calling on people to mobilise over the next 110 days. “Make life impossible for us,” he told the crowd, appealing to the youth of Europe and the world to badger their leaders.

Elton John took up the call. “Success is essential,” he said, adding: “It is of great importance to me.”

The French president also tweeted a call to action alongside a video of the ceremony with John.

Since its inception in 1992 in the U.S. and 1993 in the UK, John’s charity The Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised over $500 million in the fight against AIDS.

Explore Our Elton John Artist Page.

Format: Union Jack flagUK English
Click to comment
Comments are temporarily disabled and will return shortly.
Paul McCartney & Wings - Venus and Mars (50th Anniversary Half-Speed Master) LP
Paul McCartney & Wings
Venus and Mars (50th Anniversary Half-Speed Master) LP
ORDER NOW
Rush - 50th Super Deluxe Edition Box Set
Rush
50th Super Deluxe Edition Box Set
ORDER NOW
Sex Pistols - Live In The U.S.A 1978, Atlanta 5th Jan, 1978 Atlanta, South East Music Hall, USA Limited Edition Red LP
Sex Pistols
Live In The U.S.A 1978, Atlanta 5th Jan, South East Music Hall, Limited Edition Red LP
ORDER NOW
Queen I Collector’s Edition
Queen
Queen I (Collector’s Edition Box Set)
ORDER NOW
Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet Picture Disc (Limited Edition)
Bon Jovi
Slippery When Wet Picture Disc
(Limited Edition)
ORDER NOW
The Beatles US Albums In Mono
The Beatles
The US Albums In Mono (Vinyl Box Set)
ORDER NOW
uDiscover Music - Back To Top
uDiscover Music - Back To Top