Smash Hits
The iheartradio music awards will be handed out on 27 March, and Elton has been nominated for three of them.
He and Dua Lipa are up for Best Collaboration and Dance Song of the Year, thanks to their hit, Cold Heart (Pnau Remix). In addition, Elton is among the socially voted Favourite Tour Style contenders.
On the subject of style . . . Molly-Meldrum had on his trademark cowboy hat when he attended the first of Elton’s two shows at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia. The former host of Countdown came onstage during The Bitch is Back, where he played air piano and exchanged hugs and kisses with Elton. Molly then mooned the audience. Perhaps he wanted to make sure people wouldn’t forget this night. But if you’re seeing an Elton John concert, how likely is that?
On a more serious note, Elton dedicated another number, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, to Jeff Beck and Lisa Marie Presley, both of whom both passed away last week. Bernietaupin also paid tribute to Beck. He wrote: ”It’s already been said by now but for my money, the greatest rock guitarist of them all, no one comes close.”
Seeing that Elton just played Melbourne, Tennis Australia hoped Elton would stick around a bit longer. According to the Age, they wanted him to attend today’s grand slam as a special guest. Billie Jean King, who will be at the Australian Open next week, was approached to help convince her long-time friend. And why not? The two previously organised a series of tennis benefits, called Smash-Hits, to raise funds for AIDS charities.
We’re coming up on the anniversary of another smash hit. . . The Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player album was released in the UK on 22 January 1973. In the States, it came out four days later.
The disc included Crocodile-Rock, which became Elton’s first #1 single in both America and Canada, and Daniel, which topped the Contemporary Adult charts for a couple of weeks, and was covered by Wilson-Phillips for the 1991 tribute album, Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin. There were quite a few strong tracks on ”Don’t Shoot Me” which didn’t receive as much recognition: I’m-Going-to-be-a-Teenage-Idol; Blues for Baby and Me; Elderberry Wine; Teacher I Need You; and High Flying Bird.
WembleyStadium is also marking a milestone, as it turns 100 on 28 April. Fans are invited to send in their memories (which could include an EJ concert or the star’s appearance at benefits like Live Aid in 1985 and the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness in 1992). You will then be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win VIP tickets for a Wembley Stadium event of your choosing from the first of April until the 31st of December.
Unfortunately, that would not include Elton, as his London concerts will all be held at the O2. There are still tickets available for these springtime shows, but not many.
Before Elton appears at the venue, the BRIT-Awards will be presented here. He and Ed Sheeran have been nominated for Song of the Year with Merry Christmas, and the results will be revealed on 11 February.
Give it up for all of your 2023 BRITs nominees ? #BRITs pic.twitter.com/YTVSLVfk5c
— BRIT Awards (@BRITs) January 12, 2023
As mentioned in elton-blog-6, Prince Harry‘s autobiography, Spare, includes thoughts about the Princess Diana memorial concert in 2007. Elton performed Your Song, and in the audiobook, the author crooned a couple of lines. While some listeners were touched, The Talk‘s Sharon Osbourne said she was embarrassed for him.
The prince relayed a story about the musician by singing a few lines of “Your Song.” https://t.co/Trael6q1nn
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) January 14, 2023
When Elton sang the classic during last year’s Jubilee celebrations, Prince William was seen mouthing the words. Perhaps he was remembering his wedding in 2011. When William and Kate Middleton shared their first dance, they were serenaded by Ellie-Goulding, who covered Your Song.
We started off with awards, and are ending this edition with another! Voting for the 2023 Ticketmaster-Awards has just ended, with results to be announced on social media on 18 January. Categories include Live Act of the Year, and Elton’s among the contenders.
The Ticketmaster Awards 2023 Nominees are here; congratulation to all nominated for these awards! Click the link below to participate.https://t.co/RFJ2lG95IC pic.twitter.com/ANkvizgVAs
— AOIFE Online (@AOIFE_Online) January 11, 2023
Finally, we are happy to confirm that Kiki Dee will be the guest of George’s Matlock’s next podcast for eltonjohn.world. This exclusive interview will be broadcast on January 28 at 1800 GMT (1300 EST). Don’t miss it!
