How Elton John May Have Delayed Bernie Taupin’s Rock Hall Induction
Bernie Taupin will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this Friday (Nov. 3). The honor is long overdue, but the songwriter has a hunch why this…
Bernie Taupin will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this Friday (Nov. 3). The honor is long overdue, but the songwriter has a hunch why this has happened, and it has to do with Elton John.
When Sir Elton was inducted into the Rock Hall in 1994, he famously gave his statue to Taupin. John said, in part, "I'm kind of feel cheating standing up here accepting this, because without Bernie, there wouldn't have been an Elton John at all."
RELATED: Bernie Taupin Memoir Has Little Mention of Elton John
Taupin touched on this moment in a new interview with Cleveland.com. Taupin says, "That’s the big thorn in the paw because in a lot of people’s minds, that’s the reason I was not inducted before now, because certain elements of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame didn’t like the fact Elton brought me up on stage...and gave me his award"
He added, "So they just assumed that I already had the award so I didn’t need to be inducted myself -- which is pretty puerile, if you think about it, and pretty childish and churlish at the same time."
Sir Elton has been announced as one of the performers for the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, which will stream live on Disney+ starting at 8 PM ET. It will be available to stream following the ceremony. ABC will also air the primetime special, 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This will feature performance highlights and standout moments and will air on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. EST. That abridged special will be available the next day on Hulu and Disney+.
Also booked to perform are Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, H.E.R., New Edition, St. Vincent, Sia, Miguel, Common, Carrie Underwood, Adam Levine and Stevie Nicks.
The diverse list of 2023 inductees includes Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, the Spinners, DJ Kool Herc, Link Wray, Chaka Khan, Al Kooper and Don Cornelius.
Some of Elton John's songs are absolutely iconic hit singles, but one of the great pleasures of being a big Elton John fan is finding the lesser-known gems. We’re partial to his hit-free album Tumbleweed Connection from 1970 (as you’ll see), as well as his criminally underrated Songs From The West Coast from 2001, and a few of the diamonds in the rough from albums that you may have overlooked.
For this list, we’re going with the best version of each song, which sometimes means a live version. And in one case, an alternate studio version that you may not have heard before. Enjoy!
40. “Hey Ahab” from ‘The Union’ (with Leon Russell) (2010)
Decca39. “Have Mercy On The Criminal” from 'Live In Australia' (1987)
MCA38. “The One” from 'The One' (1992)
Island Records37. “Believe” from ‘Made In England’ (1995)
Island Def Jam36. “The King Must Die” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA35. “Elderberry Wine” from ‘Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player’ (1973)
MCA34. “Holiday Inn” from ‘Madman Across The Water’ (1971)
MCA33. “Home Again” from ‘The Diving Board’ (2013)
Capitol Records32. “Tonight” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA31. “Daniel” from ‘Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player’ (1973)
MCA30. “The Last Song” from ‘The One’ (1992)
Island Records29. “Sacrifice” from ‘Sleeping With The Past’ (1989)
MCA28. “I Need You To Turn To” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA27. “Whenever You’re Ready (We’ll Go Steady Again)” B-side of “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” (1973)
MCA26. “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” from ‘Breaking Hearts’ (1984)
Geffen25. “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)” from ‘Honky Chateau’ (1972)
Uni/MCA24. “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” from ‘Blue Moves’ (1976)
MCA23. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” from ‘Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy’ (1975)
MCA22. “The Bitch Is Back” from ‘Caribou’ (1974)
MCA21. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” from ‘Too Low For Zero’ (1983)
Geffen20. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” from ‘Caribou’ (1974)
MCA19. “Sixty Years On” from ‘17-11-70’ (1970)
MCA18. “I Want Love” from ‘Songs From The West Coast’ (2001)
Republic17. “Take Me To The Pilot” from ‘17-11-70’ (1970)
MCA16. “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” from ‘Jump Up!’ (1982)
Geffen15. “Bad Side Of The Moon” from ‘17-11-70’ (1970)
MCA14. “Madman Across The Water (featuring Mick Ronson)” outtake from ‘Tumbleweed Connection’ (1970)
MCA13. “Burn Down The MIssion” from 'Tumbleweed Connection' (1970)
MCA12. “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” from ‘Songs From The West Coast’ (2001)
Republic11. “Bennie And The Jets” from ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ (1973)
MCA10. “Amoreena” from ‘Tumbleweed Connection’ (1970)
MCA9. “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” from ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ (1973)
MCA8. “Come Down In Time” from ‘Tumbleweed Connection’ (1970)
MCA7. “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters” from ‘Honky Chateau’ (1972)
Uni/MCA6. “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” from ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ (1973)
MCA5. “Border Song” from ‘Elton John’ (1970)
Mercury4. “Your Song” from ‘Elton John’ (1970)
Mercury3. “Candle In The Wind” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA2. “Tiny Dancer” from ‘Madman Across The Water’ (1971)
MCA1. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
MCA
