I'm seeing him live at Sheffield Hallam Arena on Thursday (may 24). First time I've seen the man live. I remember vaguely JK on Radio 1 in the early nineties referring to John Lennon as a '22 carat gold star', but didn't appear to place Elton in the same league, by saying he never really considered him to be a 'true' star. Correct me if I'm wrong or misquoted you Jonathan.

So what does JK really think about the rocket man?

Do check out my interview with him on You Tube Chrissy; the problem is I've known him since he was a penniless backing singer and I can't see him as a global superstar, just as little Reg who Madeleine Bell asked me to help get onto Top of the Pops (which I did; a call to Mel Cornish about Your Song).

Love him dearly, great talent but star? Not for me.

Jagger's a star. Lennon was. Elton's not.

chrissy wrote:
I'm seeing him live at Sheffield Hallam Arena on Thursday (may 24).


Hi Chrissie

Sheffield holds a special place in Elton's heart. He was appearing as a singer (with John Baldry I think) at the old Mucky Duck pub in Sheffield (now called The Complete Angler, I believe) when he decided that he had had enough of that and quit - returning to London to concentrate on his writing career.

Enjoy the show !

Thanks Jonathan. My own feeling is that he made a terrible mistake doing the Diana gig, and I suspect he knows that. OK so some might say it didn't harm his career, but I still don't think he should have done it. Neverthe less looking forward to seeing him play live. I've got front row.

In The Know wrote:
chrissy wrote:
I'm seeing him live at Sheffield Hallam Arena on Thursday (may 24).


Hi Chrissie

Sheffield holds a special place in Elton's heart. He was appearing as a singer (with John Baldry I think) at the old Mucky Duck pub in Sheffield (now called The Complete Angler, I believe) when he decided that he had had enough of that and quit - returning to London to concentrate on his writing career.

Enjoy the show !

Thanks In The Know. I didn't know that.Should be a great show.

Sorry Jonathan. You're wrong. Elton is a star. He proved it to me last Thursday night at Sheffield. A wonderful set, he played his heart out. From 'Funeral To A Friend' to 'Your Song', with many hits inbetween. Surely your knowing him from being a penniless nobody, to the Elton we know today should make you even aware of his current status as being one of the world's greatest and even more importantly accesible stars, he is Jonathan. You're wrong.

Glad you enjoyed it Chrissy. He's a great performer, good writer, very nice guy (whenever I've spent time with him) and a terrific showman.

But a STAR?

Don't think so. Next you'll be telling me Robbie Williams is a star!

No No Jonathan. I hate Williams. But hey, come on, admit it!! He played his heart out , bless him. The music was something else Jonathan,...his band were terrific. He spent 10 minutes signing autographs, and Funeral For A friend/Love Lies Bleeding was as good as when I first saw it on grainy video from Central Park in 1980. Is John Lennon more of a star because he died? Just a thought.

Actually Chrissy I think Reg Dwight would agree with me - he'd say both Mick and John were stars and he's not.

Doesn't make him any less talented or nice.

Blimey, I spy a long thread forming here.

Who is the most, most talented ever big fish in the smallest pond?

Elton would say that. Of course. I'm not so sure that Jagger could fill Sheffield arena, and receive the same adulation from people of all ages,as I witnessed on Thursday night. Not in 2007. It would be interesting to see the difference in the quota between the Stones and Elton over the years, especially down to live gigs. More importantly recent live gigs. Every age group was there, from young teens to octogenarians. Perhaps you may be confused as to what constitutes a star against a 'legend'. Lennon and Jagger are legends, certainly. So is McCartney. Oh gawd, I reckon that Elton is too.. Argument to go on forvever.... PS: I dont meant to patronise Jonathan. I understand you have met more legends and 'stars' than I could name.

For me the greatest star is Elvis. Despite him being as manufactured as any one of the Beatles (Lennon broke away) his stage presence, his songs, his legend remain untouched by hands living or dead.

Elvis must be the only artist ever who can still fill a venue with only his sampled voice and image being projected/transmitted over his old band.

Sinatra?

I have a vague recollection of a Sinatra venture.
What fascinated me about the Elvis one was the skill in which it was put together, on a modern recording, his songs would have been recorded to a click track, making the job relatively easy, to back a vocal track.
Backing him from old live recordings must have been a logistical nightmare.
Ronnie Tutt is a genius for holding that all together, and modestly said "We are only a band that have lost our singer."

Did you ever meet Elvis, Jonathan?

Nope; one of the few I never met who I would have enjoyed meeting.
Ditto Bob Dylan.
But most of the others - yes. Leonard Cohen is a sweetheart!

Does Leonard not take the " more cigarette smoking in an hour award then the Mrs King Mother and Mart"?

By the way, I have 6 packets to go,(in the cupboard) and then I quit, I promise.
Strangely enough, I can`t wait.