Happy Birthday, Sir Elton

I can't think of any other musician that is quite as flamboyant and flashy as Elton.  In the last decade or so he's toned it down a bit but still has a unique style of his own.  For anyone who's had the pleasure to see him perform live (I have!) you've seen his showmanship in action.  I can't file him under the category of "classic rock", I think "pop rock" would fit better.  But whatever you call it - his talent as a pianist and songwriter is exceptional.  He's an icon. 

Here's some interesting tidbits from This Day in Music:

1947, Born on this day, Elton John, singer, songwriter, pianist, (Reginald Dwight), 1971 UK No.7 single 'Your Song', 1973 US No.1 single 'Crocodile Rock' seven other US No.1's. Biggest selling single of all time with 1997 'Candle In The Wind 97', plus over 50 UK Top 40 hit singles. Sold over 150m records worldwide. He auditioned for prog-rock band King Crimson. Elton and Bernie Taupin wrote 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' under the pseudonyms Ann Orson and Carte Blanche. Some of the aliases Sir Elton has used checking into hotels include, Prince Fooboo, Sir Humphrey Handbag, Lillian Lollipop, Lord Choc Ice, Lord Elpus, Binky Poodleclip and Sir Henry Poodle. Elton John’s official nickname is Rocket Man - but Rod Stewart calls him Sharon.

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Elton and Alice...

Have you heard about the collaboration between AIC and EJ???

Read Seano's post today for details.

(oh, I stumbled upon this today and had to share because of the Axl post I did the other day: Breeding Axl Rose)

What do Peter Frampton, George Thorogood and Elton John Have in Common?

Well, I can think of a few things off the top of my head: they are all male, they are all musicians, they all sing, they all use their first name for their "band".

But today what they have in common is that they came on the radio (in the above order) one after the other today and each brought back a great concert memory for me.

Peter's multi-million selling , "Peter Frampton Comes Alive" is the best selling live album of all time.  Its sad that his talent was overshadowed by his" overnight sensation" popularity because he's a good musician.  I went to see him at the Forum of Inglewood with my friend Kim and her brother Clint.  It was a great show, I think I was 17 at the time.   There really is something cool about hearing him do "Do You Feel Like I Do" live.  If you recall that's the song where he uses the  talk box, and an effects pedal to sing the chorus of the song.  Here's how it work:

IThey "redirects a guitar's sound through a tube into the performer's mouth, allowing the guitar to mimic human speech."a which redirects a guitar's sound through a tube into the performer's mouth, allowing the guitar to mimic human speech."

Image via WikipediaNext, George Thorogood and the Deleware Destroyers.  It was an all day music festival at Los Angeles Collesium headlilng the Rolling the Stones.  George came on after a long line of mediorce bands and livened us up.  After they played it was J Geils and then the Stones.  I don't think I could  live through another one of those all day things again.....


And Sir Elton John - saw him under the stars on a warm summer night at Irvine Meadows Ampitheater.  It was the one and only time I saw him perform and he was not a disappointment.  He really is amazing on the piano and fun to watch.  I don't remember much of it but I recall enjoying it and my favorite part was when he lied under the piano playing it....anyone have any idea if there's a cerain song that goes with that?  I don't recall.

Anyhow - those are my thoughts du jour.  Hope you're all having a great weekend/week.

Happy Birthday Elton John

Elton turns 61 years old today.
Do you consider Elton John to be "Classic Rock"?

One of my most basic definitions of classic rock (I have serveral) is:

If they play it on KLOS its classic rock.

What is your favorite(s) Elton John song?

Mine are:

Madman Across the Water
Razorface
and
Saturday Night's Alright

Ted or Elton?

I was going to post a photo of Elton John today but thanks to a post by my buddy Steve, (see his post titled Jesus Loves Ted Nugent) I shall share a Ted Nugent memory.


I've seen Ted a few times but I only remember one specifically. I can remember sitting on the grass on a blanket with my roommate Nicole, her date Rick and my date, Eric. It was out FIRST date and I could tell he wanted to put his arm arount me but was chicken.

Ok back to Ted....In addition to being a very talented and passion filled musician the guy was athletic! He was like a fine tuned machine, or in his case maybe he would prefer to be compared to a wild animal. At one point he changed from a skin-tight white outfit to a pair of leather chaps with nothing covering the backside! Okay, this is really not about Ted's music but it's making me smile and I really, really needed to smile.

How's this for a thought: Ted and Elton on stage together doing a duet? What song do you think they'd do? Tune in tomorrow for Elton.

Elton

This, and Madman Across the Water are the only two Elton John albums I've owned...they are both A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.





Saw Elton once and just sat there mesmerized by his talent and showmanship. He acutally played from UNDER his piano a few times. Gotta love EJ.