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Post by Athenais on Oct 9, 2016 3:35:02 GMT -5
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Post by Athenais on Oct 9, 2016 4:39:26 GMT -5
Ralph Ellis replaced John Lennon in The Beatles in the middle of 1966.
John worked on various projects in the years that followed, one of which was "Elton John."
Elton John was a joint project between John Lennon and "Elton."
The bio of Reginald Dwight was and is a cover story. There have been at least 5 different performers of Elton since the inception.
The first I will refer to as "Reg." Reg did the majority of performances up until 1977 when he announced his retirement. However John Lennon also appeared sometimes as Elton.
After "Elton" came back from retirement, John took over the role and performed as Elton until 1984-5. With one exception, John did not perform as Elton on the tour of Russia in 1979, someone else performed the role on that tour.
In interviews he said repeatedly it was John Lennon's idea for him take a break from performing, and made many other interesting comments alluding to the truth, as did some interviewers and magazine headlines.
The 1978 album A Single Man was a major departure from previous work as it was the first time "Elton" did not work with lyricist Bernie Taupin. He said that the album title reflected his state of mind at the time and he wanted to work on his own. The album cover shows him symbolically turning his back on Windsor and walking away.
John's openness about his sexuality was frowned on. Reg resurfaced in 1984 to marry Renate Blauel in Australia. In later interviews he talked about receiving "marriage counseling" from the royal family.
It seems that something of a battle ensued over the public image and performance of this character "Elton John" and sometime around 1985 another performer took over. In early TV appearances this performer did not play the piano but simply stood to sing (or to lip sync.)
The original Elton (Reg) came back with the album "Reg Strikes Back" in 1988. The lyrics of one song are quite telling:
I've always said that one's enough to love
Now I hear you're bragging one is not enough
Something tells me you're not satisfied
You got plans to make me one of four or five
I guess this kind of thing's just in your blood
But you won't catch me carving up my love
I ain't no puzzle piece that needs to fit
If it takes more than me let's call it quits
`Cause I don't wanna go on with you like that
Don't wanna be a feather in your cap
I just wanna tell you honey I ain't mad
But I don't wanna go on with you like that
It gets so hard sometimes to understand
This vicious circle's getting out of hand
Don't need an extra eye to see
That the fire spreads faster in a breeze
And I don't wanna go on with you like that
Don't wanna be a feather in your cap
I just wanna tell you honey I ain't mad
But I don't wanna go on with you like that
No I don't wanna go on with you like that
One more set of boots on your welcome mat
You'll just have to quit them if you want me back
`Cause I don't wanna go on with you like that
Oh if you wanna spread it around sister that's just fine
But I don't want no second hand feeding me lines
If you wanna hold someone in the middle of the night
Call out the guards, turn out the light
Reg and John both appeared as Elton in 1990. Reg appeared quite aged and it seems certain that his real age was much older than the one given in his bio.
It was told that Elton went into rehab in 1990.
Another song was released by Reg with very telling lyrics:
Every time you turn around
You wear another face
Every time I look away
I find a hiding place
If you knew me like you know him
You would know just how I feel
Slipping through someone's fingers
Falling under someone's wheels
It's easier to walk away
Better off to face the facts
When love holds you up for ransom
Walk away and don't look back
Never seen you looking back through
Smiling eyes and tears
Never knew you holding on to
Memories and fears
Just release me I can't take it
Can't you see a change has come
Strangled by infatuation
Buried under someone's thumb
It's easier to walk away
Cover and fade to black
When love scars and leaves you branded
Walk away and don't look back
Every time you turn around
You wear another face
Every time I look away
I find a hiding place
Around the end of 1990 another performer took over the character of Elton John and still performs the role to this day.
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Post by Athenais on Oct 11, 2016 18:38:09 GMT -5
Elton John live at Hammersmith Odeon, 1982  prosthetic ear  |
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