Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE (born March 25, 1947) is a rock music singer, songwriter, and pianist, is one of the most successful solo artists in music history. He has recorded a long string of records and participated in a number of musical projects over a career that is approaching its fifth decade. His flamboyant fashion sense, on-stage showmanship, and public struggles with his private life have combined with his talent to make him a legend to his many fans around the world.

Quotations

• "You can call me a fat, balding, talentless, old queen who can't sing--but you can't tell lies about me. (After successfully winning a libel case against the London 'Sun' in 1987 for alleged underage sex.
• "I haven't made a good album in a long while. Not since 1976 and Blue Moves."
• "If there is a better singer in England than Craig David, then I am Margaret Thatcher."
• (After being asked about his sexuality in the 1970s) "I think people should be free to engage in any sexual practices they choose; they should draw the line at goats, though."
• "Nowadays, record companies want the quick buck from the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Travis Miscia, S Club Seven, Steps. They've always been around, I'm not knocking the music perhaps, but it's like packets of cereal. There are too many of them, too many of them are just mediocre. And I think it damages real people's chance, real talent, of getting airplay. It's just fodder."
• "There's so much you're expected to do and you follow a pattern. You make a record, you do a video. I like to break the rules a little bit more and I did in the 70s, I should try a little bit more now."
• "Anyone who lip-synchs in public on stage when you pay £75 to see them should be shot. That's me off her Christmas card list. But do I give a toss? No." (about Madonna)
• "If I had one finger left, I'd play for you." (After breaking his fingernails by playing too hard)
• "I thought it was a bit of an anti-climax, to be honest. The thought behind it was fantastic, but Hyde Park is a charisma-free zone. There was no sense of occasion and from a musical point, I didn't think there were too many highlights. I was very pleased to be a part of it, but I didn't think it was anywhere near as good as the first one. How could it be?" (about Live 8)