Elton John celebrated in New York

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br /> <br />STORY: Elton John and Bernie Taupin received the Johnny Mercer Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards dinner in New York on Thursday (June 13).<br /> <br />The duo have been working together since 1967 and penned the hits "Rocket Man," Tiny Dancer," and Saturday Night's All Right For Fighting" which Sting performed during the ceremony.<br /> <br />"My first real important relationship wasn't with my father, wasn't with my mother, it was with my grandmother. And secondly it was with Bernie Taupin. He became the brother I never had, the friend I also wanted and one of the loves of my life and still is," said John standing next to Taupin.<br /> <br />Motown Records founder Berry Gordy was honored for his historic career and the creation of music that continues to be an influence for the music industry.<br /> <br />Aerosmith song-writing duo Steven Tyler and Joe Perry are among the newest hall of fame members. Singer Tyler and guitarist Perry wrote such