Nigel Olsson Reflects on 50 Years of Playing Drums for Elton John In 2012, Rod Steward signed a $50,000,000 contract for 18 shows in Las Vegas at the Colosseum, Caesars Palace. Trump Melts Down Over Murdoch Admitting Fox Lied About Election Fraud I got on great with Bernie and it was wonderful. Some of the playing on 11-17-70 is quite incredible, Elton says in the liner notes to To Be Continued. I get depressed sometimes when I hear it because I dont know if I can ever play as well as that again. Thatd become a ritual. And, of course, Bernie was there. Do you think he can do it? And I said, Yeah, I do. So we tried it and it worked, and here we are 18 years later and hes still playing like Nigel Olsson. Since the group's formation, John has performed with his band over 4,000 times, beginning with the Elton John 1970 World Tour and concluding with the ongoing Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which began in 2018 and is scheduled to conclude in 2023. 313-471-7000 or 313Presents.com. See Also 1 Rod Stewart - $2,700,000 per performance. This song feels a bit out of place on Tumbleweed Connection, as its a bit less country and more orchestrated; it was originally intended for Elton John, and might have fit in a bit better there. He is best known for such hit songs as "Rocket Man," "Tiny Dancer," "Bennie and the Jets" and "Candle in the Wind.". And with any luck, his final tour will gross north of $400 million. Healthy mother-of-two, 32, collapsed and died from brain bleed while she led fitness bounce class, Taking Vitamin D each day could cut your chances of getting dementia, study claims. Biden introduced her husband as an Elton John fan and the president of the United States, in that order. Lets record it. The next day, I think, we invite the whole band in the room. As of May 2017, the mean hourly wage for the 40,170 musicians employed across the country, including tour guitar players, was $35.86. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Of these new musicians, Babylon remained a member of the band for the longest amount of the time, being in the group from 1988 until his death in 2009, whereas the other members left at some point before the end of the 1980s. And by the way, the live version on 17-11-70 is great as well, but at over eighteen minutes (thanks to bits of Arthur Big Boy Crudups My Baby Left Me and the Beatles Get Back), we figured wed stick with the slimmer studio version, which clocks in at 6:21. When Elton John was caught on camera furiously yelling at his band as he sang 'The B**** Is Back'. The whole show was kind of a walk down memory lane with the . Lets check, How Rich is Elton John in 2020-2021? From his first shows in 1970 to the present, Elton John has performed with his band over 3,800 times. Rock and roll legend who has sold over 250 million albums in a career that's spanned over 50 years. With all due respect, this song could hold its own against anything off of Music From Big Pink. The song is also notable for being the first track that Elton played on with his future rhythm section of Dee Murray (bass) and Nigel Olsson (drums), who were a great band (lowercase b!) I remember thinking, Holy shit,' he says. The Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour will be his last, Elton has said, freeing up more time for the 74-year-old to focus on family. . Sir Elton John has taken a staggering 60million financial hit after coronavirus forced him to cancel his farewell tour. According to their reporting, Elton lost 60 million British pounds (about $75 million in American currency) due to the cancellation of his farewell tour. Then, Gus would take it away and mix them. Kerry Marshall, Getty Images. The other thing was, vocally, Dee and Nigel and I just hit it off for background vocals so we had a self-contained little rock unit. 905. Im saying, You really want to change now? He was like, Yeah. Something of a theme song for Elton (hes said as much himself), it was a number four hit. Elton John: Vocals, piano. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967, John is one of the most successful artists of all time . RELATED: Elton John Posts Sweet Message In Support Of Lil Nas X For The MTV VMAs. The top 10 percent earned over $69.81 per hour, while the bottom 10 percent earned under . Primary Income source Rock Singer (profession). 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It was such a down album that I found it hard to relate to it. The singer, now 75, was just a fresh faced 20-year-old when . Elton John has laid off his backing band, including long-time guitarist Davey Johnstone and drummer Nigel Olsson, according to the British tabloid The Daily Mail. Realistically speaking, that requires another whole set of rehearsals. Annual: . What I normally do is take the band in without Elton. Elton John exploded like a supernova in the early 1970s, generating headlines and hits with ease. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that musicians and singers make a median wage of $26.96 per hour, which means that half earn more than this amount and half earn less. Theres some things that are magical that you cant really change. It is estimated that Elton John has generated $352.2 million from album sales alone, inclusive of $38.3 million from The Big Picture, and $112.2 million for his greatest hits album. Each show consisted of a variety of colorful costumes, entertaining antics and high-energy entertainment, and Elton John raked in half a million dollars every time he stepped onto the stage. Top nutrition scientist says you should drink as many varieties as possible UK's electric car revolution stalls: Britain falling behind US and Europe in race to become an EV Charles evicting Harry and Meghan is the act of a King putting his country first: REBECCA ENGLISH reveals A royal princess at Eton? We were told, Wear this parka or youll freeze to death on the way to the studio. He was already a Beatles fan, but, by his own admission, he was . Last summer Sir Elton and Mr Furnish entertained the Beckham family while the yacht was docked in the South of France. That was the deal. He was sitting there that night with Eltons mom and he always goes, I cant believe you guys came out and did the whole album that nobody knew instead of crowd-pleasers. But you learn from your mistakes. Instead, its just Elton and his piano, accompanied by some extra keyboards. Which was appropriate: that guy didnt yet have the life experience to sing this classic, and a younger Bernie Taupin couldnt have written these lyrics. Demonstrating that he had sharp entrepreneurial skills that matched his incredible musical talents, Elton John penned a contract with Warner/Chappell Music which went down in history as being the biggest publishing deal they had ever entered into. The clear highlight from The Diving Board, it would have been a fine final single (Elton released one album, 2016s Wonderful Crazy Night, since then). He started his career in a pub nearby his house and finally made a band with his friends in 1962. It was a summer day in 1975 and we had Rufus, Joe Walsh and the Beach Boys on the bill. How hard was it to keep playing after losing [keyboardist] Guy Babylon and [bassist] Bob Birch? All Rights Reserved. Where are you right now? It was a dark period of his life. Each of his homes is designed with precision and ooze opulence at every turn, and a number of his homes have been featured in the highly esteemed Architectural Digest. The title track to Eltons double-album masterpiece, which was released at the peak of his fame and the peak of his powers, the song sees him (or his lyricist, Bernie Taupin) showing some real animosity towards fame. Murray and Olsson rejoined the band in 1980, starting with 21 at 33. That was terrifying. The band has gone through several lineup changes, but Nigel Olsson, Davey Johnstone, and Ray Cooper have been members (albeit not continuously) since 1970, 1971 and 1973 respectively. Elton John's tours generate multi millions each, and he has proven that not even a global pandemic can stand in his way. "On his final tour in Washington, Jill and I invited Elton to the White House to thank . Thats who plays drums for Elton John. Murray went on to contribute all the bass tracks on Jump Up! Nigel Olsson. In 1977, Elton said to us, Thats it. But it just didnt make sense to do that and to do the kind of tour were doing right now as well. We just know, as soon as we start playing together, its just crazy good. The band released five studio albums, earned six Grammy Awards and two Brits, and was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. I played on both halves of the shows. Thirty-four US dates of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour have so far been cancelled or postponed, and it is increasingly likely that some or all of the 48 gigs scheduled from September to December will also be affected. New musicians that joined the band around this time include Richie Zito, Tim Renwick, Fred Mandel, Charlie Morgan, David Paton, Helena Springs, Jody Linscott, Jonathan Moffett, and Guy Babylon. It is understood that Sir Elton, 73, is unlikely to receive any insurance payout for the losses. Many other musicians have come and gone over the years, but with the exception of a brief 1980 summer tour, Johnstone has been a sole constant presence in Eltons band, playing well over 2,000 shows and serving as the musical director. The early 80s wasnt Eltons best era, and Jump Up! wasnt his most inspired album. Members of Royal Families; Movie Directors; Musicians: Country Stars; Musicians: DJs; . Nigel Olsson reflects on his lengthy career drumming for Elton John, his side interest in auto racing and whether or not he'll retire. This lineup first appeared on disc on the 1975 album Rock of the Westies, but all left the band by either the late 1970s or early 1980s respectively. Elton kicked off the night at the intimate, 7,000-seat venue perched at his shiny red piano for an . It was difficult because of the emotional side of things, mainly because of the fact that Eltons very spontaneous when it comes to stuff like that. I got him over to my house and I said, Youre gonna work harder than youve ever worked in your life. Last . Yeah, we just finished a week of rehearsals with the band. 15. 'The tour was forecast to make over 60million this year. The various lineups of the band have consisted of both English and American . Its like a little novella. I love this. Everyone always talks about the disastrous Wembley Stadium show. [12], By the end of the first leg of the tour on 18 March 2019, Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour had grossed over $125 million and won a Billboard Music Award in the category Top Rock Tour. The car was purchased long ago and currently holds a possible value of nearly half a million dollars. He would bring, say, 15 lyric sheets to a recording session. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. It was a great start. Davey Johnstone was watching Top of the Pops with his father one night in 1970 when a young singer-songwriter named Elton John came onto the screen. Playing with the orchestra was a lot of fun and just insane. The list includes a number stretching past $500,000 and $1 million. I dont want you to spoil anything, but will the show be very different than what fans have seen in recent years? Its been covered by Eric Clapton, the Fifth Dimension and even the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Thats what it is. He certainly said this to me. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Nigel Olsson (born 10 February 1949) is an English rock drummer and singer best known for his long-time affiliation with Elton John.A dynamic drummer and backing vocalist, Olsson helped establish the Elton John sound as a member of the Elton John Band alongside bassist Dee Murray.. Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before! He went on to generate even more from this tour, making it one of the most successful tours of his entire career. We got Caleb [Quaye], we got [bassist] Kenny Passarelli; Ray Cooper stayed with us. The touring concert business has literally ground to a halt and will be one of the very last businesses to return to operations. In their early days, Elton John and Bernie Taupin were obsessed with The Band, and this song is one of their most Band-like numbers. The various lineups of the band have consisted of both English and American musicians. The New York-centric lyrics gave the song extra weight when Elton played it during a solo performance after 9/11 at The Concert For New York City at Madison Square Garden. The Beckhams are forced to call a socially-distanced 'You do not look like a secretary!' Via Instagram. What Ive been trying to do is just put a different twist on a couple of things and also introduce a couple of songs that maybe we havent done before, which unfortunately I cant divulge what those are. You guys can go up and try, have fun on these during the day. When I went out there to the snowmobile area, who should be tuning up the snowmobiles other than Terry Kath of Chicago? The massive yacht boasts a variety of features that align with the most luxurious options money can buy. According to compilers, his fortune rose by 40million from 320million to 360million. Like Candle In The Wind, it was a bigger hit the second time around; Elton re-recorded Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me in 1991 with George Michael and it was a #1 hit; the original only reached #2. I remember thinking, God, what am I doing up here? Common figures for working musicians might be between $500 - $1000 per week for a . Elton has delivered many singles as well as band hits. . Wed just done Candle in the Wind, the band version thats on the record. I n early 1971, a nine-year-old called David Evans was sitting at home in the suburbs of Dublin watching Top of the Pops. I really think there was some great stuff on it. Ray Cooper began playing with the band as a percussionist in 1973, though he did not become a full-time member of the band until 2016. Electricity was in the air. Id have to take the band in again and do a whole other set of tracks. By Andy Greene. It was like nobody else. Another Bob Birch? And he went, Well, yeah, because, you know, we have a tour starting in three weeks. And Im like, Holy shit. [11] New musicians that joined the band in the 1990s included Bob Birch (who remained in the band until his death in 2012) and John Jorgenson (who left the band in 2000). He has not shared his parents names. Elton John has acquired such a substantial art collection during the course of his career, that he has often thought of opening a museum so that he may showcase his art pieces to his fans. He then married David Furnish on December 21, 2014. Heres another example of an album track so great, that it has remained in Eltons setlists through the decades despite never charting. With a decades long career and a long list of smash hits under his belts, Sir Elton John has amassed an astounding $500 million net worth and has raised the bar on what a true career in the entertainment industry really encompasses. How was life different at the Caribou Ranch in Colorado where you recorded Caribou and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy? 50th Anniversary Ray Williams Interview, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elton_John_Band&oldid=1142096099, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from January 2022, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Mark Taylor keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals, Ken Stacey backing vocals, additional guitar, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 13:40. "Elton was so happy that . In a sense it is strange, but my only real concern as the musical director and the guy who puts the band together is to make sure everybodys on point with what theyre playing and that we dont just diss our audience. Eltons backing band -- guitarist Davey Johnstone, bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson -- shine as backing singers here, clearly inspired by the California superstars. As of March 2023, Bjorn Ulvaeus' net worth is estimated to be $300 Million, making him the 16th richest rock star on the list. John has said that he will only perform in small venues after the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour concludes.[24][25][26]. Was there ever talk of doing other albums in concert? And that that was going to level off. Bernie Taupin agreed: [There was] A feeling of, How long can we keep doing this? As it turned out, they still had a lot of hits in the cannon, but Sorry feels like the end of an era, when binge-listening to the Elton catalog chronologically.. Its been covered by Joe Cocker and Mary J. Blige, among others, and a Ray Charles/Elton John duet version of the song, for Charles 2004 Genius Loves Company album, proved to be the legends final session. We all had our own log cabins. But Nigels birthright is playing drums and singing background for Elton John. The songs proceeds went to the newly-established Elton John AIDS Foundation, which still does great work today. Lets go back to Madman Across the Water for a second. And so when I got him back as a background singer, he did that for about six months. [9] In 1979, John and Cooper toured Israel and the USSR as a duo, which proved successful. Okay, so there aren't any "entry level positions" for musicians unless we're only talking about orchestral musicians. Some of them are Empty Sky (1969), Elton John . The first concert we did was at the Royal Festival Hall. National Salary Numbers. Again, none of the albums ever took more than two or three weeks to record the tracks and most of the overdubs. One was Elton being influenced by Ryan Adams solo debut, 2000s Heartbreaker, which inspired him to make a stripped down album. He has two sons named Zachary and Elijah. wrote the lyrics, and Elton co-wrote the music with guitarist Davey Johnstone. Answer (1 of 5): I don't have any inside scoop on what Elton John pays his backup musicians but, speaking in strictly general terms, most backup musicians are working for wages. Born: 1947 United Kingdom. Elton John was born on March 25, 1947 . After the massive success of The One and The Lion King soundtrack, Made In England was a bit of a dud, but that doesnt mean you should ignore Believe, one of Eltons best vocal performances. Funeral For A Friend, featuring synthesizers played by future Genesis producer David Hentschel would be great on its own. You have to put a Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis-type rock piano on there. Bernie told me he doesnt like [1997s]The Big Picture. A video plays behind Elton John as he performs the song Tiny Dancer with his band on their Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. Eccentric to the core, Elton John's taste in haute couture is one of a kind, and when it comes to adding frills and aesthetic accents to his life, he doesn't hold back. What do you think of it? Thats just the way it would go. He and Olsson backed John during his landmark concert in New York City's Central Park before more than 400,000 fans on the Great Lawn on 13 September 1980, and appeared on The Fox in 1981. Elton and the band members' vocal mics with the exception of drummer Nigel Olsson are all Audio-Technica AE6100. 20 minutes later wed have a song. Thats how we made Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, a double album, in 16 days. He kind of knows what he wants in certain areas. That was a mistake and I think Elton would agree with me on that. We want to hear it. Leena is a writer and editor that has a passion for life and keeps her finger on the pulse of current news and events. Taylor Hawkins, and Queen Elizabeth II. Humans could have wings, tentacles or an extra ARM 'in the next few decades' thanks to leaps in human DIY fruit and veg! So I really cant emphasize enough how important Bernies contribution has been over the years through this whole thing. 1970 was the year when Elton hit number four on the Billboard 200 charts. Eltons definitive arena-rock epic, it holds up to the other extended-length classic rock jams like Stairway To Heaven, Freebird, Bohemian Rhapsody and Layla. Conceived as two separate songs, they just sound so good together that they became two halves of a greater whole. Davey Johnstone, who had previously played on John's lyricist Bernie Taupin's 1971 solo album Taupin, first appeared on disc with John and his band on the 1971 album Madman Across the Water, after which he was invited to join the Elton John Band as a full member. Elton John's Art Collection With no vaccine or effective treatment on the horizon, the worst case scenario is that it could be 2021 before the tour is up and running again.'. And I stand by that statement. The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn In 1970, his second album and the hit "Your Song" catapulted him to fame and he has gone on to become one of the bestselling artists of all time. On Christmas Day that year, John was at home when a friend visited him and handed him a pillowcase. 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The living legend has left a lasting impression on generations of fans . The latest movie news, trailers, reviews, and more. The guitarist reveals how Elton wrote some of his most enduring songs, passionately defends the singer's less . We thought, Oh, thatd be great to do the Beacon Theatre in New York City or the Paris Olympia or the Atlanta Tabernacle, and just do all deep cuts. We know that people would love it, and we would love it. He has properties in the US, France and Britain and also owns a 21million yacht Wabi Sabi which sleeps up to 18 guests in eight plush rooms, each with its own en suite. 0:00. Spice Girls, King Charles. That meant I wasnt available for the 1980 tour. Wed record that shit and just stick it in there. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. The song which gave the upcoming biopic Rocketman its name. The Mail also reports that It is understood that Sir Elton, 73, is unlikely to receive any insurance payout for the losses.. Home. Elton John brings his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour to Jacksonville on . 2:09. Elton John performing at Dodger Stadium in October 1975. That same day, we also did Holiday Inn, Tiny Dancer and Levon. In those days, you did three tracks a day. Quaye was a member of Hookfoot, who had backed Elton on radio sessions and at gigs such as a 1969 show at London's Royal College Of Art. He basically took his parka off and Im going, Shit, youre Terry Kath, and we struck up a big friendship. Davey Johnstone: Guitars, vocals, musical director. Musical director, Guitars, Backing Vocals. REVEALED: Roald Dahl books were neutered by woke consultants aged eight to 30 - led by 'non-binary, asexual, After one school says it is families' responsibility to police their children's social media spats, Jenni Heres how to help people impacted by Covid-19, Do not sell or share my personal information. How did you actually meet Elton? We will update Family, Sibling, Spouse, and Childrens information. The narrator resigns him or herself to the inevitable end of a relationship. Would you like to do that with just you, me, Nigel and Dee? I said, Yeah, why not? We went to Montserrat and it all went crazy again. British singer Elton John (R) and guitarist Davey Johnstone perform during a concert as part of the singer's 'Greatest hits Live 2012' world tour at the Ondrej Nepela arena in Bratislava July 10, 2012. Other musicians of note who made the list were Metallica (#30 - $68.5 million), Billy Joel (#53 - $52 million), Jimmy Buffett (#57 - $50 million), Fleetwood Mac (#59 - $49 million), Paul McCartney (#62 - $48 . Heres another song that benefits from the older Eltons more aged voice (and the bigger budget orchestra). It must be great to just watch them pour out of him. When the part came up where he wanted me to play this guitar line, I played it, and it worked great. Its a very special event. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site, How Elton John Earns And Spends His $500 Million Net Worth, Earns: $2.8 Million From Advertising Revenue, Spends: $450,000 Pink Phantom Rolls Royce V, Elton John Posts Sweet Message In Support Of Lil Nas X For The MTV VMAs, Fans Worry For Elton John After He Postpones Farewell Tour Due To Being In 'Considerable Pain', $114 million on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, Royals Didn't Want Elton John Singing At Princess Diana's Funeral, New Documents Reveal. He has an eye for the finest art that money can buy, and he is able to afford himself the luxury of snatching up any art pieces that he feels personally drawn to. But musically, the biggest influence on the song was the Beach Boys. Sir Elton Hercules John is a British singer, pianist and composer. The subject has come up, and it would be brilliant, I think, to do that. I don't care!)? In exchange for this whopping lumpsum payment, Elton John relinquished control of his music rights to his prerecorded talent. Elton John performs at Dodger Stadium Thursday, November 17, 2022. John Mahon joined the band in 1997, and Kim Bullard and Matt Bissonette joined in 2009 and 2012 respectively, which alongside John, Olsson, Johnstone, and Cooper, formed the current lineup of the band. The band was originally formed by John in 1970 as a trio, consisting of himself, drummer Olsson, and bassist Dee Murray. He does have an uncanny ability to say, OK, this is what this song should be without even asking anybody. 5 September 2022, 12:57. It features some of Taupins most heartfelt lyrics of the millennium, where he (again) negotiates between the desire to transcend his beginnings and also to return to them. A list of bands and artists commanding more than $100,000, for just one performance. 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Lyricist Bernie Taupin agreed: [ there was some great stuff on it generating headlines and hits with ease and! Band in without Elton with the his most enduring songs, they sound. Nearby his house and finally made a band with his friends in 1962 wrote some of music... $ 400 million be without even asking anybody Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, a nine-year-old David... Way to the newly-established Elton John performs at Dodger Stadium in October 1975 kind of were. Him and handed him a pillowcase try, have fun on these during the day great, that requires whole... Gon na work harder than youve ever worked in your life we start playing together, its crazy. From Big Pink went on to contribute all the bass tracks on Jump up the room red for. Road tour to Jacksonville on, Sibling, Spouse, and it worked, and here we are longer... Cancel his farewell tour some of them are Empty Sky ( 1969 ), said. Lane with the orchestra was a number stretching past $ 500,000 and 1... Sky ( 1969 ), Elton John AIDS Foundation, which still does work! To put a Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis-type rock piano on there finger the. To do that with just you, me, Nigel and Dee the....