While some of the city’s earlier Fourth of July weekend celebrations kicked off with the bang of fireworks or the beat of a rock band, a tribute to Elton John and his humanitarian work began with the simple tolling of a bell.

Thirteen times the bell atop Independence Hall rang on July 4, 2005, signaling the start of a city ceremony honoring Elton’s efforts to help people with AIDS or HIV.

In recognition of his work, city officials awarded Elton the city’s first-ever Philadelphia City of Brotherly Love Humanitarian Award.

Fresh from performing Live 8 in London, and hours before he was to perform at the same spot as Philadelphia’s Live 8 mega-concert, Elton received the award on a small stage in front of Independence Hall, birthplace of the Declaration of Independence.

From behind dark blue sunglasses, Elton smiled approvingly as a group of youngsters from the First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy sang a lyrical rendition of his song, “Philadelphia Freedom.”

Calling him the city’s “adopted son,” Mayor John F. Street described Elton as “leading the charge ... to eradicate a disease that is devastating the world.” In a footnote to the ceremony, Street also thanked the performer for giving the city its signature anthem.

Elton accepted a silver plaque from Street, and then told hundreds of spectators attending the public ceremony—as if they didn’t already know—that he had recently performed at another humanitarian concert, the Live 8 flagship concert in London.

“Two days ago, I appeared in a concert in London called, “Make Poverty History,” Elton said, and added, “My ambition is to make AIDS history.”

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