Elton John
Watch and Listen
In order to watch Videos you need JavaScript enabled and the Adobe Flash player.
Find out more from Webwise.
In order to watch Videos you need JavaScript enabled and the Adobe Flash player.
Find out more from Webwise.
One of the most successful musicians and flamboyant showmen of all time, Elton John has won a multitude of awards from Brits, Grammys, Golden Globes to Oscars. For this special event two pianos took centre stage. One for Elton, and the other, for an artist who inspired Elton as a young musician; singer songwriter Leon Russell.
Leon has written classic songs such as This Masquerade and Delta Lady, as well as working with legends of popular music like The Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye, Frank Sinatra and The Rolling Stones. Russell and Elton first worked together and toured the US in the early 1970s, but lost touch for many years. Then last November Elton, Leon, Bernie Taupin and producer T Bone Burnett started collaborating in an L.A. studio on a new album, The Union. Making the new record, Elton told Mojo magazine in August, "made me fall in love with a guy I fell in love with years ago,all over again".
As well as looking back at his roots, Elton's looked ahead by bringing on board two exciting new names, Plan B and Rumer to perform alongside him. The show was broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 at 20:00 and then shown on BBC Two on Saturday 30 October, together with an exclusive documentary about his music and life.
An inspiring and emotional demonstration of poignant songwriting performed at its best.
Paul Sexton profiles Leon just ahead of the release of The Union, his collaboration with Elton John. Paul examines not only the incredible career peaks, but explores how and why Russell slipped slowly into relative obscurity.Listen to Singing This Song For You: The Leon Russell Story
Click on the small image to see it full size.
The Indepedent
Forty years after his last gig at the circular Camden venue supporting The Who, the multi-award winning singer/songwriter kicked off the festival's fifth anniversary with a trip down memory lane.
Daily Telegraph
Some standout songs saved an evening dominated by sludgy mid-tempo tunes.
The Guardian
In keeping with the BBC's Electric Proms' eclectic ethos, he's sharing the spotlight with new talent and an old idol.
The Sun
SIR ELTON JOHN hailed PLAN B's The Defamation Of Strickland Banks his favourite album of the year before welcoming the rapper on stage at the Roundhouse last night.
Have a look at these fantastic items of Elton John memorabilia.
Do you have anything similar at home? Why not send us a picture?
Elton John & Leon Russell - The UnionA sincere collaboration between artists who complement each other well.
Honky ChateauThe singer finds the balance between camp pop-rock and gushing ballads.
Goodbye Yellow Brick RoadWinningly grandiose in places, but it'd have been better as a single LP.
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt CowboyRarely receives due credit as John's finest work by a distance.
Too Low for ZeroThoroughly entertaining throughout, and the return to form Elton John required.
Leon RussellRussell's third album featured a wealth of high-profile special guests.
BBC © 2014The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.