You probably are aware that Elton is a huge admirer of the late Winifred Atwell. So he was delighted to hear the news last month that Trinidad and Tobago had renamed Queen’s Hall Auditorium in her honour.
Elton appeared via video at the ceremony, and said the pianist gave him ”the momentum” to become a entertainer.
More recently, Elton brought up Zoot Money. When it comes to keyboard geniuses, he’s way up there, Elton wrote in The Guardian. It is sort of ironic that Elton, one of music’s biggest names, complains that piano and organ players don’t receive the same sort of recognition as guitarists.
While The Times agrees the musicians deserve kudos, those opting for the guitar enjoy some advantages. Their instruments are portable and easier to learn. And unlike the ivories, the axe has ”a mythic quality.”
As Elton has pointed out, keyboardists can’t strut around the stage. But in concert, Elton was hardly hiding in the shadows–kicking his piano bench, thumping his chest, and changing costumes and eyeglasses.
Elton also felt limited when faced with an organ. He tried to play this like a piano, and it ”just doesn’t work that way.”
Elton acknowledged that Steve Winwood, who performed on keyboards for the Spencer Davis Group, became famous–after he went out on his own, singing and writing songs. Yet even when keyboard players were behind hits such as the Animals’ House of the Rising Sun, few could name Alan Price.
After checking out Elton’s thoughts, The Telegraph has compiled their choices for Best Keyboard Player of All Time. Oddly enough, Elton isn’t there. Rick Wakeman, who contributed to Madman Across the Water, makes the grade, though. He is #2, and used to be ”almost a comically ridiculous showman” (which could describe Elton, particularly when he dressed up like Minnie Mouse for a 1974 gig at the Forum in Inglewood, Calfornia). In Rick’s case, he donned ”florid capes” to perform instrumental concept albums onstage. At the same time, he is considered an innovator.
Fourth on the UK paper’s Top Ten list is Billy Preston, who appeared on Songs From the West Coast. Just below him is Stevie Wonder, a guest on SFTWC and The Lockdown Sessions.
Radio Elton John World‘s last guest was former Elton John Band member Billy Trudel. Can you guess who will follow, on the last Saturday of October? Here’s a hint: He is an orchestral conductor.
We’ve noticed that Elton hasn’t been working on his Rocket Hour show. It’s no wonder, with so much on his plate: the Never Too Late documentary and two musicals, Tammy Faye (which began New York performances on Saturday night) and The Devil Wears Prada, opening soon in the UK, on 24 October.