Elton John Turned Down Classic Movie Role

By Michael Musto Thu., Apr. 21 2011 at 11:30 AM

"Welcome to a movie about Meat Loaf and Gary Busey," said MC Denis Leary at last night's Tribeca Film Festival opening gala.

Before the huge outdoor crowd started suicidally leaping into the water, he corrected, "Kidding. It's about Elton John and Leon Russell."

Whew.

We were indeed there to see The Union, Cameron Crowe's easygoing documentary about the musical reunion of those two biggies, from which I learned some interesting things about Sir John, I mean Sir Elton, I mean Sir Elton John.

Among the tidbits:

*He feels Michel Jackson's mistake was in thinking he could outsell Thriller.

*Elton was offered the male lead in Harold and Maude way back in the '70s, but he had to turn it down rather than slow the momentum of his burgeoning music career.

*He knows his albums sell progressively less, but he won't do the soul, Motown, and Christmas albums he's always pressured to do because he's not that kind of artist -- "and I wouldn't enjoy it."

There's also a lot of mutual admiration going on in the film between old pals Elton and Leon, plus drop-ins from an appreciative Stevie Nicks and a weird Brian Wilson.

Elton was set to perform live for us right after the screening, but I couldn't stay, figuring, "I'll just catch him at Rush Limbaugh's next wedding."

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Barkley

EJ's insufferable and hasn't had a hit in 15 years. That Lion King shite sucked big time. He was more fun and looked better when he on da blow!

RickShur

I hear Sir Elton has written a song for the Buckingham wedding reception called "Kate Grabs a Willy." He is also starting a fan club for people who, like so many os us, dote on both princes equally. It's called the Harry-Willy Admirers Club. Membership is by invitation.

franco

Wise decision, he wouldn't have enjoyed, identify with or be able to emote these lines:

Maude: Tell me, do you dance? Harold: Pardon me? Maude: Do you sing and dance? Harold: Uh, no. Maude: Uh, no. I thought not. [laughs]

Maude: Oh, that was fun. Let's play something together.Harold: I don't play anything.Maude: Nothing? Oh... Dear me. Everybody should be able to make some music. That's the cosmic dance.

Jonster

Thanks for repeating those lines. I remember seeing Bud Cort at a party and dude was f'd up. Did he do anything after that movie? Anyway, he was perfect in it. Perfect little film, except for all the Cat Stevens music. It was only in the last viewing, however, that I noticed the concentration camp tattoo on Maude's arm. Made the whole thing more poignant and meaningful for me.

Savannah Montgomery

thank you jonster

Melinda9

1)Glad he turned the role down 2) I think it's Brian Wilson - Dennis is dead.

Musto

Eek. I meant Brian Wilson. I'll change it.

Musto

In the film, Elton says "That was my first and last film offer." he's joking, of course. He was in "Tommy" as the Pinball Wizard.

Pandora

Who is Leon Russell?

JefferyHaas

That's your homework assignment.You'll be very pleasantly surprised if you're an Elton fan, or a fan of almost ANYONE who is anyone in the rock, country, blues or gospel business, or any of the incredible number of standards singers of the pre-rock era for that matter.