Bernie Taupin Takes a Swipe at Jann Wenner During Rock Hall Induction
It was only a matter of time during the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony before someone mentioned Jann Wenner’s insane comments about women and black artists….
It was only a matter of time during the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony before someone mentioned Jann Wenner's insane comments about women and black artists. Who thought it was going to be Bernie Taupin?
When Taupin accepted his long overdue Rock Hall honors, he shouted out a number of his influences, many of whom aren't in the Rock Hall. They included Merle Haggard, Howlin' Wolf and many more.
"Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, are you listening?” exclaimed Taupin. "I acknowledge all these people because they and so many others are why I write. I guess you could say I’m being inducted as a paradox, perhaps, but either way I’m honored to be in the class of 2023, alongside such a group of profoundly articulate women and outstanding articulate black artists."
Before Taupin took to the stage, Elton John did the honors of inducting his close friend and lyricist into the Rock Hall. As expected, Sir Elton's speech was heartfelt and had a few laughs.
"The thing that changed my life completely was meeting Bernie Taupin," said John. He also mentioned how he and Taupin never had a fight, but one thing did cause tension.
RELATED: How Elton John May Have Delayed Bernie Taupin's Rock Hall Induction
"He was disgusted with my behavior, yes, but that was a given," John quipped. "But to this day, we are still growing as a partnership."
Additionally, John mentioned he and Taupin just finished an album in Los Angeles earlier this week that is "gonna surprise the sh-t out of you."
Through it all, though, John reminded the masses just what he and Taupin accomplished together. He said, "Our success story is what it is, you all know. Through the years we grew and we grew and we grew. We climbed mountains that we never thought were possible to climb, and we scaled heights that we never thought were possible to scale."
Taupin's induction came to a close with John playing "Tiny Dancer" with just him on the piano and no accompanying band. It was a beautiful reminder of the magic the two of them have created for the past nearly 60 years.
Some of Elton John's songs are absolutely iconic hit singles, but one of the great pleasures of being a big Elton John fan is finding the lesser-known gems. We’re partial to his hit-free album Tumbleweed Connection from 1970 (as you’ll see), as well as his criminally underrated Songs From The West Coast from 2001, and a few of the diamonds in the rough from albums that you may have overlooked.
For this list, we’re going with the best version of each song, which sometimes means a live version. And in one case, an alternate studio version that you may not have heard before. Enjoy!
40. “Hey Ahab” from ‘The Union’ (with Leon Russell) (2010)
Decca39. “Have Mercy On The Criminal” from 'Live In Australia' (1987)
MCA38. “The One” from 'The One' (1992)
Island Records37. “Believe” from ‘Made In England’ (1995)
Island Def Jam36. “The King Must Die” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA35. “Elderberry Wine” from ‘Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player’ (1973)
MCA34. “Holiday Inn” from ‘Madman Across The Water’ (1971)
MCA33. “Home Again” from ‘The Diving Board’ (2013)
Capitol Records32. “Tonight” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA31. “Daniel” from ‘Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player’ (1973)
MCA30. “The Last Song” from ‘The One’ (1992)
Island Records29. “Sacrifice” from ‘Sleeping With The Past’ (1989)
MCA28. “I Need You To Turn To” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA27. “Whenever You’re Ready (We’ll Go Steady Again)” B-side of “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” (1973)
MCA26. “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” from ‘Breaking Hearts’ (1984)
Geffen25. “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)” from ‘Honky Chateau’ (1972)
Uni/MCA24. “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” from ‘Blue Moves’ (1976)
MCA23. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” from ‘Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy’ (1975)
MCA22. “The Bitch Is Back” from ‘Caribou’ (1974)
MCA21. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” from ‘Too Low For Zero’ (1983)
Geffen20. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” from ‘Caribou’ (1974)
MCA19. “Sixty Years On” from ‘17-11-70’ (1970)
MCA18. “I Want Love” from ‘Songs From The West Coast’ (2001)
Republic17. “Take Me To The Pilot” from ‘17-11-70’ (1970)
MCA16. “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” from ‘Jump Up!’ (1982)
Geffen15. “Bad Side Of The Moon” from ‘17-11-70’ (1970)
MCA14. “Madman Across The Water (featuring Mick Ronson)” outtake from ‘Tumbleweed Connection’ (1970)
MCA13. “Burn Down The MIssion” from 'Tumbleweed Connection' (1970)
MCA12. “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” from ‘Songs From The West Coast’ (2001)
Republic11. “Bennie And The Jets” from ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ (1973)
MCA10. “Amoreena” from ‘Tumbleweed Connection’ (1970)
MCA9. “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” from ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ (1973)
MCA8. “Come Down In Time” from ‘Tumbleweed Connection’ (1970)
MCA7. “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters” from ‘Honky Chateau’ (1972)
Uni/MCA6. “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” from ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ (1973)
MCA5. “Border Song” from ‘Elton John’ (1970)
Mercury4. “Your Song” from ‘Elton John’ (1970)
Mercury3. “Candle In The Wind” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA2. “Tiny Dancer” from ‘Madman Across The Water’ (1971)
MCA1. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
MCA
