Elton John Receives AIDS Honor

Elton John was honored by the National Broadcasters Association Monday night for the work he has done in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Speaking to the audience, Elton John said he "was like a whore [rattling] people's wallets."

Organizers at the National Building Museum kept a tight protective ring, up to six guards deep, around the famous singer, fending off autograph seekers and reporters. After the event, Elton John left through a back entrance to avoid the paparazzi.

TheHill.com reports that stars such as Deborah Norville, the anchor of "Inside Edition," and Lauren Nelson, Miss America 2007, kept the audience dazzled, while jazz singer Oleta Adams performed a medley of John's works, from "Your Song" to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." John blew her a kiss.

As he spoke about his work raising money to fight HIV/AIDS, John told the audience, "This is a chance to make up for behavior I deeply regretted … I'm like the whore that goes around and rattles people's wallets."