Elton John Emmy Awards performance VIDEO 2013: Tribute to late performer Liberace

Elton John performs at 2013 Emmy Awards

The 2013 Emmy Awards kicked off at 8 p.m. ET from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles tonight.

Singer Elton John performed at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards - his first performance at the award show - to pay tribute to late performer Liberace. HBO's biopic Behind the Candelabra, has received 15 nods.

"How I Met Your Mother" actor Neil Patrick Harris is hosting the show, which will also feature a special memorial tribute for five significant people who have died in the past TV season. A special In Memoriam segment will be held for actors James Gandolfini, Cory Monteith, Jean Stapleton, Jonathan Winters and producer David Goldberg.

Emmys executive producer Ken Elrich stated: "These five individuals brought us such great entertainment and joy. So having their close friends share personal remembrances is something that will be very meaningful for television audiences across the country and across the generations. And our traditional In Memoriam segment will be presented in a unique new format that will give added importance to an already much anticipated segment of the Emmy show."

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will be among the duos presenting together, along with Kerry Washington with Diahann Carroll and sisters Zooey and Emily Deschanel.

See a video below of Elton John's performance at the 2013 Emmy Awards.