Elton John Gershwin Prize Tribute Special to Feature Brandi Carlile, Metallica, Garth Brooks, Annie Lennox
variety.comChris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic The lineup for Elton John‘s upcoming Gershwin Prize tribute taping was announced Wednesday, with the pop superstar’s musical BFF Brandi Carlile not surprisingly among the cast, but also some unusual suspects, like the band Metallica.
Garth Brooks, who was the recipient of the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for songwriting himself four years ago, is also among the cast, along with Annie Lennox, Maren Morris, Charlie Puth and Jacob Lusk of the group Gabriels.
Billy Porter will host as well as perform. John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin are also set to appear. Metallica’s appearance is less surprising upon a look back at the group’s mutual love affair with Elton.
He sang their song “Nothing Else Matters” on the “Metallica Blacklist” tribute album and called it “one of the best songs ever written, to me… Metallica are probably the crème de la crème of those kind of bands.” Some of the other artists involved have covered John songs in the past, perhaps offering some hint of what they might do on the telecast.
Read more on variety.com