Jacob Lusk Reimagines “Bennie and the Jets” at the Gershwin Prize

In a sold-out hall, Jacob Lusk turned Elton John’s ‘Bennie and the Jets’ into a gospel-tinged celebration, part sermon, part spectacle, all joy.

The performance came from Jacob Lusk of Gabriels, the British-American band known for lush, soulful pop. Lusk first met many fans on American Idol in 2011, and on this night he showcased the charismatic stagecraft that has powered his rise. With an opening that felt like church, he welcomed the crowd as “saints and friends,” then honored the legends at the center of the evening.

Event Overview: Honoring Music Legends

The moment unfolded at the 2024 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song concert, filmed at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., on March 30, 2024. The event honored Elton John and Bernie Taupin, the songwriting team behind so many era-defining hits. The mood was warm and grateful, grounded in respect for the artists who shaped generations of popular music.

From the first words, Lusk made the intent clear. He welcomed the room into the “good ole church of Elton John and Bernie Taupin,” and set a tone of celebration, consecration, and reflection. It was part tribute, part testimony, and all heart. To explore the night’s purpose and performances, visit the official PBS event page for the Gershwin Prize.

By celebrating Elton John and Bernie Taupin, the evening honored a body of work that has scored first dances, road trips, and rites of passage for decades. Lusk tapped into that legacy, then made it feel brand new.

Meet the Performer: Jacob Lusk’s Unique Style

Jacob Lusk performs with soulful command and easy charm. He is a lead vocalist in Gabriels, a British-American trio, and he earned national attention on American Idol in 2011. His voice blends gospel power with pop clarity, and his stage presence is playful, welcoming, and big-hearted.

“Good evening saints and friends,” he began, inviting the audience into a shared space of joy. He had the room smiling before the band even dug in.

The setup was part theater and part praise. Lusk framed the performance as coming from “the book of the Jets,” and introduced Bennie as a “hero of biblical proportions.” He scatted over a piano vamp, teased the groove, and then slipped straight into the opening line that fans know by heart. The delivery was crisp, cheeky, and full of rhythmic lift.

Breaking Down the Performance: “Bennie and the Jets” Lyrics and Energy

“Bennie and the Jets” first appeared on Elton John’s 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. It is a signature collaboration with Bernie Taupin, a song that blends glam swagger with an offbeat storyline and a chant-like hook. Lusk stayed true to the song’s funk and then added a gospel edge that made the call-and-response feel inevitable. The concert’s mission to honor the writers came across in every flourish.

Lusk’s version kept the bones of the classic intact while letting his vocal runs dance over the beat. He respected the melody, punched the consonants in the title, and opened the chorus wide for the crowd. It was an example of how tribute can be faithful and fresh in the same breath. For more live music from this concert and beyond, check out the PBS YouTube channel.

From the outset, Lusk leaned into the song’s theatrical flair. He sang “Hey kids, shake it loose together,” and the band responded with a bouncy pulse that felt both retro and alive. He followed with, “The spotlight’s hitting something that’s been known to change the weather,” pulling the audience deeper into the song’s neon world. When he hit “We’ll kill the fatted calf tonight, so stick around,” he stretched the line and worked the pause, letting the room lean forward.

The pre-chorus teased what was coming: “You’re gonna hear electric music, solid walls of sound.” The next moment belonged to the hook, and Lusk delivered it with a grin: “B-B-B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets.” The repetition popped, crisp and percussive, like flashing bulbs. He described Bennie as “weird and wonderful,” then tossed out the iconic details: “electric boots, a mohair suit,” the rumor picked up from a magazine.

He did not rush. He rode the pocket, then opened the space for response lines like “Say Candy and Ronnie, have you seen them yet?” The room laughed and cheered at “they’re so spaced out,” a reminder that these characters still feel fun and a little mysterious.

The second verse brought a sharper edge. “Hey kids, plug into the faithless,” he sang, then added that Bennie makes them “ageless.” The lyric hints at rebellion, at a group of young fans pushing back on the rules their parents made. Lusk emphasized the line about fighting “our parents out in the streets to find who’s right and who’s wrong,” but he kept the tone light and joyous. The tension in the words met the release in the rhythm.

Each chorus landed stronger than the last. Lusk gave room to the band and let the vocals stack. He dropped in extra “ohs” and “yeahs” that felt natural, then swung back to the tight stutter of the title. As the song moved toward its finale, he pulled the audience into a chant.

“Come on, y’all. Help me out!”

What followed was a cascade of names and echoes. “Bennie, Bennie, Bennie,” he called, and the crowd answered. The vamp grew warmer. He pushed, pulled, and winked. When the final hit arrived, applause filled the hall. The night belonged to the honorees, and Lusk closed with a heartfelt shout: Love you, Elton. Love you

Jacob Lusk: Career Background and Context

Before fronting Gabriels, Jacob Lusk gained wide attention during his 2011 American Idol run, where his range and phrasing set him apart. That early exposure showed what he could do in front of a national audience. Since then, he has grown into a storyteller who can command large stages without losing a personal touch.

With Gabriels, Lusk has helped shape a sound that blends classic soul and modern pop. The group’s work often pairs rich orchestration with intimate vocals, and the live show tends to feel cinematic and warm. That same sensibility came through on this Gershwin Prize stage.

The key takeaway is simple. Lusk knows how to frame a song so listeners feel invited rather than impressed at a distance. He uses humor, timing, and tone to pull people closer.

“Bennie and the Jets” is a strange and beautiful thing, a glam pop anthem with a punchy piano hook and an almost mythic set of characters. The lyric blends satire with admiration, and the chorus refuses to leave your head. In a tribute setting, it is a perfect choice. It gives a singer room to riff, and it gives an audience a chorus it can shout.

Lusk took those gifts and made them feel current. The crowd became part of the band, which echoes how fans have carried the song across generations. The performance did not try to outdo the original, it lit it up from a new angle.

Explore More From the Gershwin Prize

The Gershwin Prize celebrates how popular songs capture time, place, and feeling. It honors artists whose writing shapes lives and memory. For more about the award and this year’s tribute to Elton John and Bernie Taupin, visit the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize page on PBS.

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Conclusion

Jacob Lusk’s ‘Bennie and the Jets’ worked because it treated a classic with care and invited the whole hall to join in. The sermon, the groove, the chant, it was a fitting salute to Elton and Bernie, proof that great songs never sit still. B-B-B-B-Bennie!”