Elton John, a Favorite of Trump, Performs at the Biden White House

[ItsjustMe]

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/23/us/politics/elton-john-white-house.html

The British pop superstar, who had avoided performing for President Biden’s predecessor, was also presented with the National Humanities Medal.

For anyone who was listening, Elton John’s music was the unofficial soundtrack to Donald J. Trump’s presidency. The songs “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man” were pumped into the background of his political rallies at earsplitting decibels. A copy of Mr. John’s 1972 album, “Honky Château,” became a diplomatic gift for North Korea’s dictator. The singer’s crowd sizes were both a presidential fixation and an aspiration.

Which is why it was so interesting that Mr. John, a superstar and longtime activist, played at the White House on Friday as a guest of President Biden and Jill Biden, the first lady, years after sidestepping Mr. Trump’s overtures.

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Never was a huge fan, but he did some fun dance stuff.

Love it though....another direct hit to the ego of Donald Trump. How many more hits before he implodes?

[Mike Nelson]

2. I wish...

... it had been televised! James Taylor recently played, too, and the news covered only Biden thanking him. Also, we know who watches all the all news TV stations all day - it would be great to see Elton John performing for the Bidens!

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Here is the PBS stream of it!

(as a note, I saw EJ in concert here in Philly for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour back in 2019)

[hlthe2b]

5. I only got to stream the last 10 min or so but found it very poignant

Elton was very touched and emotional by the award given to him by Biden. And having Ryan White's mother there--whew. How could so many years have passed already? Those saying they are not real "fans" of John's music, ought to be fans, (at least) of his AIDs activism, which has been unsurpassed.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. I don't know how the hell he does it

His "final" (world) tour has been going for 4 years (with a pandemic pause in there) and his show's production is amazing.

Glad to see his hubby was there too! Don't know if they brought the kids but I know that with all the honors he has received over many decades, he seemed genuinely surprised at this one.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. As an addition - here was James Taylor's performance

(after all these many years, his voice hasn't changed! )

[Mike Nelson]

9. BumRushDaShow...

... thank you for finding and posting these!

[BumRushDaShow]

10. You are welcome!

I love to listen to both!! And all one needed was a piano and a mic and the other a guitar and a mic and off they went.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Trump tried to muscle EJ into performing at his inaugurual by

putting him on the program without asking, without getting a confirmation. Elton John just simply refused to accommodate TFG.

[hlthe2b]

6. It was a graceful declination though, citing his belief that as a Brit it would be inappropriate

for him to be chosen to perform at an American inauguration of President. Nice sidestep, I think.

[twodogsbarking]

11. If you haven't watched the movie "Rocket Man" you should.

I even have the t-shirt.

[tanyev]

12. Yeah, I didn't know much about Elton's formative years so that was really interesting.

And Taron Egerton was fantastic.