Los Angeles Times

Bernie Taupin reflects on 50 years of working with Elton John — and why their songs have endured

LOS ANGELES - Two new star-studded albums saluting the music of longtime collaborators Elton John and Bernie Taupin were crafted with a couple of main goals in mind.

The albums coincide roughly with the 50th anniversary of when the composer and lyricist met in London through an ad posted in the New Musical Express weekly music magazine. They are designed to reconnect veteran musicians and longtime fans with one of the richest bodies of work in all of pop music, as well as introduce that music to younger performers and listeners.

They encompass more than two dozen John-Taupin songs - hits as well as deep cuts - from "Bennie and the Jets," "Your Song" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" to "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," "Candle in the Wind," "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" and "Border Song."

They have been newly reinterpreted by a raft of pop, rock, R&B, urban, country and Americana artists, including Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Don Henley and Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Mary J. Blige, Mumford &

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times4 min read
Sam Rubin, KTLA Journalist And Longtime Entertainment Anchor, Dies At 64
LOS ANGELES — Sam Rubin, a veteran journalist who anchored KTLA’s entertainment coverage for more than 30 years, died Friday in Los Angeles. He was 64. Anchor Frank Buckley confirmed the reporter’s death during an emotional announcement on Friday aft
Los Angeles Times4 min read
Review: Ncuti Gatwa And Millie Gibson Lead A Bright New Era For Sci-fi Series 'Doctor Who'
After a transitional trilogy of specials that saw the return of popular Tenth Doctor David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and introduced his successor Ncuti Gatwa, followed by a Christmas special that brought companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) o
Los Angeles Times3 min read
Solar Storm Heading To Earth Could Disrupt Communications And Bring Northern Lights To California
LOS ANGELES — A different kind of storm could complicate this weekend's plans. For the first time since January 2005, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch for Friday evening. The catego

Related Books & Audiobooks