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John, Elton/Questions Answered by Expert Elizabeth J. Rosenthal
| Subject | Date Asked |
| nikita from elton john | 8/5/2005 |
| Q: We have been discussing the video of elton john's nikita and the beautiful russian guard with the ... A: The name of the woman in Nikita is Ayshea, a UK pop singer who actually covered an Elton John song ... | |
| First Elton stage appearances | 8/4/2005 |
| Q: I am a part-time singer-songwriter and I have often been compared to Elton John. He is no doubt a ... A: You really need to pick up a biography of Elton John. I hope you won't be offended if I recommend ... | |
| musical styles of Elton John | 7/18/2005 |
| Q: I am writing a college paper on the music of Elton John, although I am not musically literate. Can ... A: Elton the Songwriter probably has written in a greater variety of styles and/or genres than anyone ... | |
| Elton's Drug Use | 7/14/2005 |
| Q: I was just wondering about Elton's drug use. When did he start, and end. I am assuming his drug of ... A: Both of your questions are discussed at length in my book, "His Song." As for Elton's drug use, he ... | |
| song meaning | 7/2/2005 |
| Q: i would like to know what the song "daniel" is about. i grew up on elton john this one and most of ... A: Please accept my apology for the tardy reply. Daniel is a fictional character made up by Elton ... | |
| Random Questions | 6/29/2005 |
| Q: I was wondering if Elton has any songs that are his favorite, and if he has any that he doesnt like. ... A: Sorry for the delayed response. Elton doesn't really have any truly favorite songs that he's ... | |
| Family | 6/23/2005 |
| Q: I think I read somewhere that Elton had 4 half brothers (not stepbrothers) when his father ... A: Yes, Elton has four half-brothers from his father's second marriage. He doesn't really have any ... | |
| musical knowledge and historical career interest | 6/18/2005 |
| Q: I get online and hate being directed to sites that want to sell shit. I play piano and have Eltons ... A: George, I agree with you about most critics. I, too, am usually frustrated with their lack of ... | |
| Song Lyrics | 6/11/2005 |
| Q: I have been wondering if Elton has ever written the lyrics to any of his songs. I know that he ... A: I could write quite an essay on the lyrics that Elton has contributed to his songs. In fact, "His ... | |
| Elton and Bernie | 6/9/2005 |
| Q: Ok, first off, I am definately one of the biggest Elton John fans ever! I know all of his songs, no ... A: Elton definitely was referring to Bernie as a songwriting partner. The two of them never had a ... | |
| I Need You To Turn To | 5/26/2005 |
| Q: I am getting married in August, and for our wedding song I was thinking, "I Need You To Turn To". My ... A: I can see why you would think that the phrase "when you paint your smile on" means an artificial ... | |
| Sales and Albums | 5/24/2005 |
| Q: How many albums and singles has Elton released?. How well has "Peachtree Road" sold in the states?. ... A: In the U.S., Elton has released 96 singles. This number includes singles from the last few years ... | |
| Elton John Song--Nikita | 5/21/2005 |
| Q: What is the story behind the lyrics of this song? Is Nikita supposed to be a child, and if ... A: Nikita is a Russian *male* name. (The Soviet leader during the 1950s was Nikita Kruschev.) However, ... | |
| General information | 5/12/2005 |
| Q: What is Elton's birthdate? Where was he born? How many siblings? Awards received? #1 Singles? ... A: Elton's birthday is March 25, 1947. He was born in Pinner, Middlesex, England. He has 4 half ... | |
| band members | 4/3/2005 |
| Q: i need to know the current band members that perform with elton john .. for a project. which is due ... A: Elton's band members include: Elton John - piano and lead vocals Davey Johnstone - guitars and ... | |
| elton's piano style | 4/1/2005 |
| Q: who/what were the main influences on Elton's piano style of playing. How would you describe his ... A: It's not actually true that Elton's style is limited to arpeggiations and broken chords. I do agree, ... | |
| Levon | 3/23/2005 |
| Q: I have a question about the song Levon. I'm trying to figure out the meaning behind the lyrics. I ... A: As Elton would say, the song is a "three-minute movie." It's basically just the story of a boy ... | |
| Elton john Current Band Lineup | 3/18/2005 |
| Q: I am wondering who the current line up is in Elton john's touring band, and the instruments they ... A: Elton's current band line-up is as follows: Elton- piano Davey Johnstone - guitars, backing vocals ... | |
| song title | 2/14/2005 |
| Q: I'm trying to find out the name of a song my wife likes - all I know is it was a movie theme song in ... A: Mark I need more specifics. What does the song sound like (i.e., what was the style)? Are there any ... | |
| sales | 2/12/2005 |
| Q: In your book (very good by the way)you say estimated at 200 million. The only real certainty I have ... A: The "over 200 million" figure is an educated guess. The easy answer would be that Elton's people ... | |
| Last Date in Hartford Connecticut | 2/3/2005 |
| Q: I am trying to find out the last date that Elton John played solo at the Hartford Civic Center in ... A: If you mean the last date when Elton played Hartford without Billy Joel, it was probably 9/16/98, ... | |
| Chart History | 2/2/2005 |
| Q: I apologize in advance to the challenge I am going to lay out for you. It's gonna be tough. I am ... A: You're right that you're asking a difficult question. However, a pretty simple way of tracking ... | |
| Elton John Piano Style | 1/16/2005 |
| Q: Elizabeth, Why do Elton's chords "chime" so nicely? It looks as if his hands, the octaves, are ... A: Bill, You may be hearing the typical tone emitted by Elton's Yamaha grand. Some have criticized the ... | |
| Elton John Live on Westwood One in 85 | 1/5/2005 |
| Q: I have a tattered tape recording of Elton John Live on the Westwood One Satellite Network. This was ... A: I definitely symphathize with you. All I can suggest is to check eBay. They have live CDs for sale ... | |
| unreleased tracks | 12/28/2004 |
| Q: Do you know of any still unreleased Elton tracks from the eighties? I think some have appeared on ... A: While I don't have time right now to do a lot of digging into things to find unreleased 80s Elton ... | |
| elton album words | 12/21/2004 |
| Q: it seems that 2 albums, peachtree road and leather jackets do not include the lyrics. Since my first ... A: The Complete Thom Bell Sessions and Victim of Love also didn't have lyrics. Anyway, it was a ... | |
| Elton John at the Troubadour | 12/19/2004 |
| Q: Is there a CD, DVD, tape, or anything out there of Elton John's debut performance at the Troubadour ... A: The answer is no. The most the general public has ever been able to see of the first Troubadour ... | |
| Name | 12/3/2004 |
| Q: WHAT IS ELTON JOHN'S REAL NAME? A: Elton's *real* name is Elton Hercules John. In other words, Elton Hercules John is the name he ... | |
| dvd concert footage | 11/25/2004 |
| Q: concert footage from his golden era and some 80's included.Do you know if such a dvd exists and what ... A: I think part of your question might have gotten cut off. Anyway, you seem to be asking about whether ... | |
| Daniel | 11/16/2004 |
| Q: Elizabeth, do you know the lyrics of the discarded verse of "Daniel"? thank you A: I'm afraid that no one knows the discarded last verse of "Daniel." (When I say "no one," I'm ... | |
| elton's concert in 1977 | 11/15/2004 |
| Q: I am a 19 year old college student. I am one of the few people of my generation to appreciate ... A: I would highly recommend that you consult my book, "His Song: The Musical Journey Of Elton John." ... | |
| Elton John | 11/9/2004 |
| Q: Rosenthal, My name is Lena Le and I am a college student at Arizona State University. I am ... A: Elton doesn't have just one favorite song that he wrote, but I can tell you that among his favorites ... | |
| past bands | 10/27/2004 |
| Q: was elton john , a keyboard player in t rex ., marc bolands band before he was famous,and also in ... A: The short answer is "no" and "no." Regarding T-Rex: Elton was good friends with Marc Bolan and ... | |
| Elton John's musical style and composition | 10/16/2004 |
| Q: I'm trying to compose songs and I really like Elton John's style and sound, particularly on Songs ... A: No manual exists on how Elton writes his music. That's because Elton himself doesn't really know how ... | |
| setlists | 9/21/2004 |
| Q: do you know elton john's setlist from his recent concert in hong kong? A: Here is the set list as reported at the Elton John fan web site, http://www.eltonfan.com: The Bitch ... | |
| Give Peace a Chance: | 9/15/2004 |
| Q: I have had the "To Be Continued" box set for a while now, and one thing has always been bothering ... A: Great question! Elton's version of "Give Peace A Chance" is probably *both* part Lennon tribute and ... | |
| Seating at Las Vegas Concerts | 9/12/2004 |
| Q: I am heading to Vegas next year and want to go see Elton John at Ceasars, I am trying to find out ... A: While I haven't seen the show from the second balcony (I assume you mean second mezzanine), I have ... | |
| God Is Dead | 9/10/2004 |
| Q: Wasn't it in fact the Village Voice, and not The New York Times, who declared that "God is Dead," ... A: Christopher, Andy Warhol died years after "Levon" was written and recorded; thus, anything that the ... | |
| Elton John zomm glasses | 8/14/2004 |
| Q: I seem to remember seeing a photo of Elton John wearing some fantastic glasses that spelled out the ... A: I've seen a number of pictures of Elton with those glasses. In lieu of tearing apart my entire ... | |
| Rocket Man | 8/13/2004 |
| Q: I was curious as to the background of this song. Every time I listen to it, I'm reminded of a Ray ... A: I could have sworn I answered your question a couple of days ago, but here's the answer, in any ... | |
| Elton and Ray Cooper | 8/10/2004 |
| Q: Elizabeth: I would like to know how important was the work of the percusionist Ray Cooper in so many ... A: Ray Cooper was and is a great, great percussionist. He is widely recognized for his abilities by ... | |
| Alternate Version of EJ's "Tonight"? | 8/8/2004 |
| Q: I'm trying to find a particular version of "Tonight". Not the one on "Blue Moves", or on the live ... A: The only officially released alternate version that exists of Tonight is on a CD issued by Elton's ... | |
| Elton's early music teachers | 7/28/2004 |
| Q: Did Winifred Atwell give Elton any private piano lessons? Page 376 of "His Song:..." says she ... A: I'm not aware of Winifred Atwell ever giving Elton John piano lessons. (I believe they met only ... | |
| 'Philadelphia Freedom' | 7/25/2004 |
| Q: im doing a report on the information surrounding the songs 'Philadelphia Freedom', and i was ... A: Elton wrote the song chiefly as a tribute to Billie Jean King, the legendary tennis player. Back in ... | |
| Press Quotes | 7/20/2004 |
| Q: My name is Clement D Tsang, and I am working on EJ's China Tour in September 2004 and am preparing ... A: This is a follow-up to my previous response. I've decided to go ahead and find press quotes for you. ... | |
| Song Analysis | 6/27/2004 |
| Q: Could you please if possible explain the meanings behind the following EJ songs - Rocket Man,Goodbye ... A: Here is the information you've requested. "Rocket Man": Elton's lyricist Bernie Taupin has said that ... | |
| elton johns music | 6/16/2004 |
| Q: could you please tell me about Elton Johns pieces; Tiny Dancer and Candle in the Wind: about the ... A: Concerning Tiny Dancer: The song is literally about Maxine Feibelman, Bernie Taupin's then ... | |
| Looking for a song :) | 6/5/2004 |
| Q: I'm looking for an Elton John song that I believe was popular in the early to mid 1990's (perhaps ... A: Tom, I don't know of any Elton John hit that talks about running away to a place by the sea and I ... | |
| Candle in the wind | 6/3/2004 |
| Q: I am researching Candle in the wind for a high school music assignment and I was wondering if you ... A: Answering your question would require a lot of time and typing! Since there's a place you can look ... | |
| Tiny Dancer | 6/1/2004 |
| Q: Hey, I was just wondering what the song Tiny Dancer was about. I've been listening to it all ... A: The song is literally about Maxine Feibelman, Bernie Taupin's then soon-to-be wife (Taupin is ... | |
| elton john | 5/17/2004 |
| Q: can children under 5 attend the Las Vegas Elton John shows? What is the best way to obtain tickets? ... A: Yes, I believe that children under five can attend the Las Vegas Elton John shows. However, it is ... | |
| His Homes | 4/19/2004 |
| Q: 04 I read he was looking at an apt. that over-looks Central Park, has he moved in yet? Does he ... A: While it was reported that Elton was looking for a place in New York overlooking Central Park, ... | |
| Tiny Dancer | 4/16/2004 |
| Q: What is Elton John talking about in his song Tiny Dancer? If you could somewhat analize Tiny Daner, ... A: The song is literally about Maxine Feibelman, Bernie Taupin's first wife. (Taupin is Elton's ... | |
| Animals at all? | 3/25/2004 |
| Q: Hey thanks for answering me so fast and so well. Umm I hope i can ask one more question, without ... A: Elton and David don't have horses. You may be thinking of Bernie Taupin, Elton's lyricist, who keeps ... | |
| Trying to remember a song title | 3/23/2004 |
| Q: There is a song done by Elton John (perhaps not one written by him or Bernie) I remember but not ... A: You may be thinking of "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding." The first part is an instrumental, ... | |
| Elton's Grammy Performance Duet | 3/17/2004 |
| Q: A pleasure to correspond with a fellow lover of Elton. I was wondering if you know anything about ... A: Yes, Elton and Eminem performed a duet of the song "Stan" during the February 2001 Grammys. It was ... | |
| Bernie | 2/22/2004 |
| Q: I keep hearing the name Bernie come up any time there is questions concerning Elton, is he his ... A: "Bernie" is Bernie Taupin, Elton's main lyricist since 1967. You will hear Elton talk about Bernie ... | |
| Levon and the New York Times | 2/14/2004 |
| Q: I know you've probably encountered questions about Levon before, so I hope that you'll see it as a ... A: I'm very sorry for taking so long to respond. I was away for a few days and neglected to indicate ... | |
| Albums | 1/19/2004 |
| Q: How did Elton's "Songs From The West Coast" sell?. And will he be recording any new albums?. A: In the US, "West Coast" was certified gold, for at least 500,000 units sold. He is recording a new ... | |
| DANIEL | 1/15/2004 |
| Q: The song Daniel seems so sad. What is that song about? A: Daniel is a fictional character made up by Elton John's lyricist, Bernie Taupin, who is loosely ... | |
| cold as christmas video | 11/17/2003 |
| Q: I HAVE ASKED TWO OTHER "EXPERTS" REGARDING ONE QUESTION I THOUGHT WOULD BE RIDICULOUSLY EASY TO ... A: I'm pretty sure there was a video clip for "Cold As Christmas." The problem is that I can't ... | |
| goodbye yellow brick road-very best of... | 11/17/2003 |
| Q: I HAVE A QUESTION CONCERNING ELTON JOHN'S 'VERY BEST OF' VHS TAPE WHICH I ASSUME ... A: Back when "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" came out, there were no video clips, per se. To the extent ... | |
| MUPPET SHOW APPEARANCE/BROADCAST DATES | 11/15/2003 |
| Q: I was wondering about the respective performance and broadcast dates of Elton's appearance ... A: To the best of my knowledge, the Muppet Show was probably taped late in 1977 and broadcast early in ... | |
John, Elton
Answers by Expert:
Elizabeth J. Rosenthal
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
As the author of "His Song: The Musical Journey Of Elton John" from Billboard Books, I am an expert on the life, career and music of Sir Elton John. I am available for questions regarding Elton`s recordings, live performances, piano style, vocal development, charitable work, homes, clothing, political views, sense of humor, sales, awards, career trajectory, press reviews and geographical scope of his fame and achievements.
Experience
I am the author of "His Song: The Musical Journey Of Elton John" from Billboard Books. As a result, I've been consulted about Elton by the BBC. I have also been an extensive collector of Elton John memorabilia for some years.
Publications
As I indicated above, I am the author of "His Song: The Musical Journey Of Elton John" from Billboard Books. I have also written for the Elton John fan magazines East End Lights and Hercules: The Mag.
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Science in Newspaper-Journalism, Syracuse University, 1982
Juris Doctorate, Rutgers-Camden School of Law, 1985
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