Tonight, Elton John and Bernie Taupin are being celebrated as the recipients of the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for songwriting. A tribute concert in Washington, DC is taking place, and Metallica opened the show with “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding.”

“They’re an inspiration to us,” Metallica’s James Hetfield told reporters before the ceremony. Kirk Hammett added, “They’re responsible for some of the greatest songs of my childhood.” Along with the metal band, Annie Lennox gave a performance of “Border Song” from John’s 1970 self-titled album and later joined Brandi Carlile (who did “Madman Across The Water”) to back Joni Mitchell’s take on 1983’s Too Low For Zero hit “I’m Still Standing.” Gabriels’ Jacob Lusk covered “Bennie And The Jets” from 1973’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Charlie Puth tackled “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” (from 1974’s Caribou) and apparently rehearsed “Something About The Way You Look Tonight” (from 1997’s The Big Picture) in front of John and Taupin earlier in the day. Garth Brooks did “Daniel” and “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.” All the acts, except for Metallica, were backed by John’s own band, and John played “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters,” “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting,” and “Your Song” at the end of the night.

Maren Morris told reporter Judy Kurtz on the red carpet that honoring “a gay legend” like John “is an amazing way to blend politics and music.” She added, “I actually think that they are synonymous with one another because music is just inherently political because you’re telling people’s stories.”

The formal presentation of the award was last night and the concert will air on PBS April 8. Watch clips from the show below.

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