Elton John Makes a Play for Hillary

Elton John will have to take a hard look at his play list for next month's New York concert. References to the sun going down or candles spluttering in the wind might have to be avoided.

Hillary Clinton's campaign team announced today that the veteran British singer is to do a fund raising concert for her on April 9, billing it as 'Elton and Hillary: One Night Only'.

Tickets, available from the campaign office, range between $125 (£62.50) and $250 for the 6,000-capacity Radio City Music Hall, in the Rockefeller Center, on April 9.

Elton John, in a statement released by Hillary Clinton's headquarters, said: "I'm not a politician but I believe in the work that Hillary Clinton does. I'm excited to support Hillary by performing at what will be a truly memorable night."

Within minutes of the announcement, there were protests from bloggers on various US political sites about the involvement of a non-American in the election campaign.

On the Chicago Tribune's The Swamp, Curt Fell wrote: "Elton can't even VOTE in the USA!!! I'm a fan of Elton John but can't Hillary find an American Superstar to put on a fund-raising concert for her??? This makes no sense to me!!!"

The fund raiser was born out of the close ties between Elton John and Bill Clinton established through their joint work in fighting HIV/AIDS.

The former president spoke at Elton John's 60th birthday party concert in New York last year that attracted 20,000 fans.

While there is no polling evidence that celebrity endorsements influence voters, both Clinton and Barack Obama regularly release the names of the latest actor, sports personality or other well-known figure who have offered support.

The biggest draw so far has been Jack Nicholson, who reprized his role as a marine commander in A Few Good Men for an ad supporting Clinton.

She has also attracted the support of Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Billie Jean King and Maya Angelou.

Obama has fielded Robert de Niro, Pearl Jam, Toni Morrison, Kathleen Turner, Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry and George Clooney.

Elton John is not the first British musician to endorse Clinton. Elvis Costello played at her 60th birthday party concert in New York in October that brought in $1.5 million.