As CBS aired the concert special, An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile, attention shifted to Brandi Carlile’s personal life, and more specifically, her wife, Catherine Shepherd.

Elton John and Brandi Carlile may have been born decades apart, but their friendship is one for the ages. After meeting nearly two decades ago, the two Grammy-winning musicians have become so close, they consider each other family.

“This is about how Little Richard was gay, and then he felt bad about being gay,” Elton is reported to have said, before launching into a new song called Little Richard’s Bible and giving his Yamaha grand piano some punishment in honour of the song's subject.