Elton John

Elton John

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

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Elton John AIDS Foundation Gala Raises $3.9 Million

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The GRAMMY-winning legend's foundation continues its successful work fighting the life-threatening condition, in part because of great nights like this
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Nov 6, 2018 - 5:10 pm

On Nov. 5 the Elton John AIDS Foundation held its annual New York Fall Gala, "An Enduring Vision," raising $3.9 million for the music icon's charity at this year's event, to support its work surrounding HIV/AIDS research, prevention and treatment internationally. The evening also feature musical auction items and a performance by Sheryl Crow.

Little Big Town On Paying Tribute to Elton John

"Your generosity enables us to support organizations responding to HIV/AIDS in communities where help is most needed," said John. "These organizations reach people who are often forgotten or overlooked and treat them with the dignity, respect and compassion they deserve."

The GRAMMY-winning legend was honored earlier this year by the Recording Academy's "Elton John: I'm Still Standing—A GRAMMY Salute," where he was feted by the likes of Kesha, Ed Sheeran and SZA.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation has been a leader in the fight to treat HIV/AIDS and raise awareness for 25 years. Additional musicians in attendance included Tony Bennett, R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe and Bernie Taupin.

Music-related artworks auctioned at the event included a set of 12 prints by Bernie Taupin signed by himself and John recognizing their 50 years of collaboration, photographs of John, Michael Jackson and more. A Tony Bennett original watercolor painting of the French Academy in Rome sold for $200,000.

John told a touching story about the photograph of Aretha Franklin's performance at last year's event that was auctioned for $100,000. It was her final public performance. "I couldn't let you down," she had told him, before walking on stage for the last time.

Elton John AIDS Foundation Receives $1 Million Donation From AEG Chair

Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple

Photo: Al Pereira/Getty Images

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Fiona Apple: "I Wanted To Stay Friends With Him And I Never Got His Number"

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In a video, The GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter expresses how she really felt about Mac Miller and copes with reflections on what might have been
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Sep 10, 2018 - 12:39 pm

The death by overdose of Mac Miller on Sept. 7 has reverberated through the weekend with artists, fans and music lovers reflecting on our collective loss. GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Fiona Apple shared her own heartfelt, impromptu memory with Miller and expressed her sadness over not having been able to make music with him.

"I wanted to stay friends with him and I never got his number," captured Fiona Apple's wistfulness, as did the grief-stricken gaze in her video. She concluded with the thought, "He's still around, I hope."

She also left further comments on Tumblr and is in company with Elton John and many others, trying to cope with the destruction of his young talent. John said the loss was "inconceivable" in a performance tribute during his tour.

Fiona Apple discovered another connection to Mac Miller's work through Jon Brion, the producer of her GRAMMY-nominated album Extraordinary Machine. It was almost a month ago that Mac Miller's latest album Swimming was released, produced by Brion, who also won Best Rap Album at the 48th GRAMMY Awards for his work on Kanye West's Late Registration.

"And I remember that we were talking about music, and I remember that he was talking about how much he loved Jon Brion," she said. "And now I just found out that Jon produced his last record. So I’m going to go listen to that and keep him alive that way."

Connections through music and connections through memories are overlapping with our growing knowledge of struggles many face and the many gifts lost to the world by overdose. Mac Miller is only the latest casualty to inner sorrow and substance abuse. However we cope with their being gone, hope that this rising toll slows is also in our reflections.

Report: Musicians More Likely To Struggle With Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige

Photo: Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images

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Mary J. Blige: Singing Elton John's "Sorry …" Is A Catharsis

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Mary J. Blige's memorable rendition of Elton John's "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" brings powerful feelings of release
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Apr 6, 2018 - 4:50 pm

GRAMMY winner Mary J. Blige has shaped contemporary R&B on the highest level. On April 6 the Elton John tribute album Revamp was released, and her reshaping of his classic "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" gives the song a soulful treatment that feels like it was waiting to be uncovered.

"I specifically chose to sing 'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word' because of how beautiful and sad the song is and it was also so cathartic for me to sing," Blige explained to Billboard.

Blige says her participation in the tribute album "is special to me not only because [Elton] is a good friend of mine but also because of my love for his songwriting and amazing songs."

"Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" was the breakout hit on John's 1976 LP, Blue Moves, the last album in his initial series of collaborations with lyricist Bernie Taupin before they took a creative hiatus. Beyond being a break-up song, "Sorry …" seems to freeze a moment in time, hold an emotion and reinforce how letting it go through expression allows a person to move forward.

Summing up the long-running partnership between John and Taupin, Blige commented, "Elton and Bernie's songs, so inspiring and powerful, will continue to stand the test of time."

Be sure to tune in to "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Salute" on April 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. The two-hour concert special will feature performances by some of music's biggest names, including Ed Sheeran, Alessia Cara, Miley Cyrus, Kesha, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Sam Smith, SZA, and many more.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Maren Morris

Maren Morris

Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

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Maren Morris On Elton John Crossing Genres As A Soulful Chameleon

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The country artist praises John's soulful essence and his power to "dip into any genre easily" and sustain his music's impact across decades
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Apr 4, 2018 - 2:49 pm

Maren Morris, winner of Best Country Solo Performance at the 59th GRAMMY Awards for "My Church," sees Elton John from her perspective as a country artist with added gratitude for his personal support.

Maren Morris: Elton John's Soulfulness Has Power

The GRAMMY Camp alum chose "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters," from John's 1972 Honky Château album, to perform on the April 10 TV concert special "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Tribute."

This particular song perfectly illustrates how the legend impacted her own songwriting and career in music. "I thank the Lord for the people I have found" was Bernie Taupin's lyric at the center of the song's embrace of solitude and reflection, while surrounded by the urban hustle of New York. Morris' enthusiasm reflects a similar gratitude.

"Elton was one of the really early supporters of my career and my music," Morris said. "I was honored to be asked and just celebrate him because he's so influential on so many different genres of artists."

The first lines of "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" are a tip of the hat to soul singer Ben E. King's hit "Spanish Harlem," comparing a young lady to a beautiful rose. But Taupin's lyric takes a darker view of struggling to grow in the urban setting, asserting that "rose trees never grow in New York City." Although the song isn't one of John's many chart hits, it emerged through the years as a favorite, illustrating John and Taupin's ability to touch on deeper themes while penning a rousing ballad.

"He's a chameleon," said Morris. "He can really dip into any genre, easily, because he has that soul there. I think he's taught me if I keep that intact, you can do whatever you want over the decades with your music."

"Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Salute" will feature performances by some of music's biggest names, including Alessia Cara, Miley Cyrus, Kesha, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Chris Martin, Shawn Mendes, Maren Morris, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, and SZA.

Tune in April 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT for this two-hour concert special, only on CBS.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Alessia Cara

Alessia Cara

Photo: Slaven Vlasic/FilmMagic

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Alessia Cara's Latest Milestone: Singing The Blues For Elton John

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Learn why singing an Elton John classic proved to be a big milestone for the Best New Artist GRAMMY winner
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Mar 29, 2018 - 3:45 pm

Winner of Best New Artist at the 60th GRAMMY Awards, Alessia Cara felt it was amazing to be chosen to sing "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" for Elton John on the April 10 TV concert special "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Tribute."

Why Alessia Cara Sang The Blues For Elton John

"My mom came from Italy," shared Cara, who was born Alessia Caracciolo in 1996. "She didn't really speak a lot of English, so for her melody was such a big thing, and [Elton John's] melodies are beautiful. The way that he played, she was always so amazed by him."

Appearing on Elton John's 1983 album, Too Low For Zero, "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" was a hit before Cara was born but "we always grew up with him around the house," she said.

To be chosen to honor John during the upcoming TV special had a special place in her heart.

"It was so important for me to be here," continued Cara, who also recorded the song on the Elton John-curated Revamp album. "To show that he even knows who I am, that he wants me to sing his song and thinks I can do it the slightest bit of justice is amazing.

"Him sitting there, watching me, felt like a really big milestone."

John himself set the standard for Cara during rehearsals when he snapped on his A-plus game.

"He came on and he's like, 'Alright, let's do a rehearsal,'" she said. "He started playing as if he was playing a stadium show — and there was no one there. … It blew my mind."

"Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Salute" will feature performances by some of music's biggest names, including Cara, Miley Cyrus, Kesha, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Chris Martin, Shawn Mendes, Maren Morris, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, and SZA.

Tune in April 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT for this two-hour concert special, only on CBS.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"