Gawd! What an ass! I'd love to hear a story about him acting like that and someone losing it and slapping the crap out of him. And I mean specifically a SLAP, not a punch or a kick to the throat, but a bitchy little slap for a bitchy little man.

This reminds me of a crazy idea I once had.

Basically, my idea was to hire a bunch of conservative women (it has to be women, you'll see why) to walk straight up to liberal douche-bags like Michael Moore or Al Franken and slap them in the face. Or alternatively, they could toss a drink in their faces.

I thought of this idea when I was channel surfing and I spotted some random chick movie where a guy got slapped in the face by a girl. It occurred to me that there is a big double-standard when it comes to gender and physical violence. If a man walked up and slapped another man across the face, they would probably be tried for assault. But if a woman walked up and slapped a man across the face, people would just assume the man had done or said something offensive and therefore deserved it.

"a beautiful gay angel"...LOL! that hits the nail on the head. Seems to fit a lot of the gay British "artists". I've always wondered why Elton tries to keep fooling everyone regarding his lack of hair by wearing that ridiculous looking rug. He's fooling no one.

OK, maybe I'm partial because I happen to like his music (the lyrics are something else - I like them, but he doesn't write them), but I think you're being a little harsh.

From the little bit of context available it sounds to me like we have a singer coming to a back stage entrance at the appointed time and being stopped by exactly the security arrangement that is supposed to keep the back entrance clear so he can go straight in. I've had it happen to me. I'm not a performer, but I used to do Craft Shows for my wife and every once in a while some security type with a head of solid biscuit would neglect to remember that he was supposed to keep people away from an entrance so that certain people (exhibitors) cold use it, and just keep EVERYBODY away.

A performer, keyed up for a show (and if he isn't keyed up, how good is he?), running into a screwup like that is likely to be a bit testy. Not sure I blame him.

I have no patience with most celebrity temper tantrums, but every once in a while I hear of one that strikes a cord with me. The last one was when Russell Crowe threw a cell phone at a Manhattan desk clerk. In the first place the supercilious twit was refusing to comply with a perfectly reasonable request (arrange an overseas telephone call - basic for desk clerks and concierges). In the second place, I've dealt with Manhattan desk clerks. A cell phone was beneath the occasion; it should have been a fire ax.

Elton John has a few character traits that annoy me; Diana worship for one (I always wanted to ask the little idiot what part of the phrase "dynastic marriage" she had failed to comprehend). But until I learn a little more about this case that runs to his discredit, I'll give him a pass....or at least chalk it up to understandable nerves.

I only like "Honky Cat."

As far as "a beautiful gay angel" goes, there was only one. Freddie Mercury.

He definitely used to put on a show. I saw him for the time in early '70s (the decade that fashion forgot) in upstate Naw Yawk state. Was a showman! Gravity and Time takes its toll on every man or mary.

Neyland Tarr - you have a point BUT - the security officers in question were Prince William and Harry's own team, and William and Harry were apparently imminently arriving and the area had to be cleared. Pretty much like I'm assuming the Secret Service does for the Pres. Wouldn't have been a big deal at a normal venue and a normal show, but this was the actual royal security. So that makes Elton a douchebag.

"Your Song". It was in our wedding, and our friend Adam sang it beautifully, and Kris played it beautifully on the piano.

In 1995, first Face 2 Face tour with Billy Joel, he was still putting on a show. Dancing around, funny hats and glasses, all that. 2nd Face 2 Face tour with Billy Joel, though? Phoning it in. Not Billy Joel--he showed up all three times I saw him in concert.

And ack. Does he not understand that Princes Harry and William are a little higher up on the security ladder than he is?

I'm guessing he was probably late. These kinds of high-security events have timetables for the arrival of various folks; I'll bet he arrived during the slot for the princes, rather than when he was supposed to get there, which was why he was in such an all-fired hurry. Idjit.

I saw him at Madison Square Garden about 10 years ago, right in the 3rd row center, so close we could look up his nostrils (not that we wanted to...). It was amusing to me that during the show he was covered in sweat yet miraculously his *ahem* hair was dry!

I couldn't agree more. Elton John should be banned. He doesn't even have "mad piano skillz" - I think you have him confused with Horowitz. And all those Disney soundtrack songs - if I didn't already hate Disney, it would be banned from my house for that reason alone.

When my 4-year-old starts being picky and fussy over things (like, OMG! MY ICE CREAM IS *MELTING*!), I call her Elton John or Whitney Houston. She doesn't know what I'm talking about, but it makes it funny for me. ;) This, of course, is more like a particularly awful 2-year-old tantrum.

I still like that Wham song, "Freedom". That's a natural singing voice right there.

After he recorded "Friends," it was downhill from there. And that was 35 years ago.

If I understand it correctly, it was the Concert for Diana not the Concert for Elton. He's a seasoned performer he should understand these snafus and the "Do you know who I am?" remark was a bit beyond the pale. Please.

And when is he going to come out of the closet about his hair. I mean, dude, come on!

Rach,
OK, you nailed Elton, but the Beatles? Come on, the universe didn't start with the day you were born.

The Beatles are overrated (not hard when you're rated so highly), but I understand their popularity; most of their songs aren't bad and the best are astounding.

I have, likewise, never seen any point in Sir John's music.

Sinalco: He's a seasoned performer, but he's also a seasoned little hissy-fit throwing diva, from all I've read.

Wait a minute -- Aren't these "Princes" the sons of the woman whose funeral he performed at ten years ago? Isn't one of them his future king? And he still had the audacity to throw a fit?

I don't know whether to be appalled or impressed.

(From what I have read)Elton's part of the show was over...he was just trying to make it back to his dressing room and/or party.

He's just jealous he's not Diana.

By writing pop friendly songs (and maybe engaging in payola), Elton wedged his way into the soundtrack of our radio lives. His songs invariably remind me of old times. Examples:

Candle In the Wind = laying on my cousin's bed, buried inside gigantic headphones, sampling much music for the first time

Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues = my first serious girlfriend sentimentally loved that song

Tiny Dancer = Almost Famous, of course!

That said, you are correct about Elton. His songs don't really hold together, either musically or lyrically. The music hits some good stretches, but they rarely or never last through the whole song. The lyrics almost never hold together in a truly logical fashion.

There's never a Scottish taxi driver around when you need one (well except for that one time).

Rachel, I have to disagree with you and the others about Elton John's supposed lack of talent. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is an incredible song, the lyrics are poetical (OK, I guess Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics), and the live duet of that song he did with your "gay angel" George Michael was a classic. I shouldn't even have to name iconic rock songs like "Tiny Dancer" and "That's Why They Call It the Blues". I could name a dozen others.

Although he does act like a prissy old queen, he does at times show considerable compassion and kindness. A few years ago, one of his original band mates, who was living in Nashville, died of cancer. His widow apparently had money problems, and Elton came all the way to Nashville and gave a one-man unaccompanied benefit show. It was fantastic. He played the audience like a fiddle, and the showmanship and talent was something I've never forgotten. So he may be an asshole, but he's definitely one talented asshole.

Rach, OK, you nailed Elton, but the Beatles? Come on, the universe didn't start with the day you were born.

*gasp*

HERESY!!!

The article reads, "Elton pulled up in the back of a people carrier."

"People carrier" is British slang for buttocks.

I love the song "Madman Across The Water" and the whole of Honky Chateau gets played quite frequently in my CD player/MP3. Personally, I don't like much of his stuff after "I'm Still Standing," but that's my personal taste. I love the old, still allowing the bald to show through Elton/Bernie Taupin classics.

Yes, he can be a jerk. A prissy little jerk, even. But the man is, musically speaking, a genius. He and Tapuin wrote hooks like nobody's business. And that, my dear, is what sells music. That little guitar riff or chord or snippet of lyric that won't let go. And that is also what the appeal is behind the Beatles. Because, frankly, the lot of them -- as individual men -- ain't much. But musically?

Gods.

[The problem is, they all let it get to their heads. But I understand that stuff like that is hard to avoid. I wouldn't know. I'm no musical genius. Or Goddess, for that matter. Heh.]

At least that's my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

Oh, and Freddie Mercury was bisexual. Not gay. He loved EVERYONE. *snort*

Rachel,
Your whole life you've been listening to the wrong Elton John.
The man has two albums worth listening to.
Elton John - 1970
Tumbleweed Connection - 1971 (January, you couldn't even have been a blastocyst)
Nothing after Tumbleweed Connection is worth a crap.

"Saturday Night" rocks.

Only reason for EJ to exist, other than his service to the rhinestone industry, is "Love Lies Bleeding in My Hand". Mostly for the spine-tingling guitar lead that pretty much runs over his pi-yanner intro like a big train.

"Goodbye Norma Jean." But if he didn't write the lyrics, my estimation of him just took a nose dive. And I agree that he should have retired about 1971.

robothaus, are your sure that wasn't "Don't Let Your Son Go Down On Me"?

Wow, Ralph. You just ruined that song forever for me! LOL

Perhaps you're familiar with Jimi Hendrix's "S'cuze Me While I Kiss This Guy"?

If Elton John is a genius, what is Mozart? Come on, he may be a good performer, but so are the seals at Marine World.

I liked "Your Song" when it first came out. Candle in the Wind wasn't bad...when he said it was about Marilyn Monroe. Then after Princess Di left us, it was "Ooooh! ooooh! It wasn't about Marilyn at all, it was about Diana!" My Tribute to insert name here.
What a maroon!