Unique and influential, Sir Elton John has left a distinctive mark on the music industry on a worldwide scale. Those are the qualities that led to his being named the 15th Glenn Gould Prize Laureate in an announcement that was made by The Glenn Gould Foundation earlier today.
The distinction is given out after a system of public nominations which are considered by a diverse international jury drawn from a broad range of backgrounds in the arts, culture, politics, law and human rights.
The Glenn Gould Prize is given to an artist who has not only created an acclaimed body of work which has contributed to humanity through their art, but whose work reaches beyond their own practice. That may come in the form of innovation that inspires others, social contributions, humanitarian work, and their larger influence in the arts world, among other factors.
Sir Elton John
“After spending decades admiring the virtuosity of Glenn Gould’s work, I am awestruck and honoured to receive this award,” said Sir Elton John in a statement.
Sir Elton John has had a career in the spotlight for more than a half century. His piano-driven style, an anomaly in the guitar-heavy pop rock world that he began his musical life in, went on to inspire many other artists, and redefine the artistry of pop music itself. His songs are instantly recognizable to millions across the globe.
His storied career includes:
- More than 300 million albums sold;
- Over 50 Top 40 hits;
- Five Grammy Awards;
- Two Academy Awards;
- One Emmy Award;
- A Tony Award.
“Candle in the Wind”, written with lyricist Bernie Taupin, has the distinction of being the best-selling physical single of all time.
Along with his high profile performing career, Sir Elton has been a strong advocate for equality and in particular, HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ2A+ rights. He created the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, and to date, it has raised more than $600 million USD for prevention, treatment, and more for those affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide.
He has often supported new and emerging artists, and advocated for causes that include mental health awareness.
The Glenn Gould Prize
The Glenn Gould Prize was established in 1987 by The Glenn Gould Foundation with a view to honouring and extending the legacy of the iconic Canadian pianist.
Awarded biennially, the Prize includes a cash award of $100K CAD. The Laureate also selects a young artist to receive a Glenn Gould Protégé Prize, and $25K CAD.
Past Laureates have included R. Murray Shafer (1987), Yehudi Menuhin (1990), Oscar Peterson (1993), André Previn (2005), Leonard Cohen (2011), Philip Glass (2015), Jessye Norman (2018), and Alanis Obomsawin (2020), among others.
The Right Hon. Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada, was the Jury Chair. Other members of the Jury included: Academy, Emmy and Tony award winning actor Jeremy Irons, author and lawyer Bernhard Schlink (The Reader), producer Martin Katz (Hotel Rwanda), Alexander Neef, General Director of the Paris Opera, screenwriter Lee Hall (Billy Elliot, War Horse, Rocketman), Canadian-born British artist Chris Levine, Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms, and Nyla Innuksuk, an Inuk filmmaker, media artist, and virtual reality content creator.
“In selecting our Laureate, Elton John, we chose to honour someone who has great artistic accomplishments but whose life and whose art has been translated into something much greater than just performance or the consumption of music and things they’ve created,” said the 15th Glenn Gould Prize Jury Chair, the Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Canada.
“Elton John has used his enormous talent and his great success to change lives. He’s been courageous in taking on causes, whether AIDS, LGBTQ+ rights, addiction and all sorts of issues that were not popular when he engaged with them and he was prepared to take the wonderful success that his musical talent had given him to make a difference in the world. And from our perspective that represents the highest level of achievement for an artist and celebrates the memory of Glenn Gould in the best way.”
The announcement took place during a public event at Kings Place in London, and the Prize will be awarded at a special gala celebration in Toronto this fall.
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