Elton John Wants American Bands to Clean Up Their Act

By Carol Johnson

One of Britain’s most famous contributors to American pop music, Sir Elton John, told Fashion Rocks magazine that he thinks the style favored by many American bands is far too ugly and unpleasant, with all the tattoos, piercings, and grungy clothes. John, who will perform at the third Fashion Rocks concert September 7 at Radio City Music Hall, says that American bands should adopt the glam-rock style that John and his peers have displayed through the years.

Sir John, 59, said that his musical role models when he was just starting out were people like George Harrison, Neil Diamond, Brian Wilson, and Leon Russell, who all supported and encouraged him as his career began to take flight. He is doing his part to follow their lead by mentoring up-and-coming artists of today. "When I hear something new that's really, really great, I ring people up and say, `I think that's a fantastic album,'" he said.
John has often said that he has been very lucky and that life has treated him kindly. "I was a drug addict for 16 years at a time when AIDS was just getting started," John said. "I put myself at so much risk. I came out of it negative rather than positive, and I wanted to do something to give back." One part of the mentoring that John has become vocal about is for bands to pay more attention to their image on stage and off.

The cutting-edge style of British bands has always brought a lot of style to rock and roll, according to John, 59. "It’s been a thing the British have always been very good at, with Bowie, myself, T Rex, the Who, Queen…we all embraced that side of it." John says the theatrical style that was popular in the 70s, when he wore his big wigs and velvet duster coats and David Bowie work catsuits and spiked hair, was meant to make the audience enjoy the concert more. He applauds the efforts of some stateside bands to clean up their acts.

"I think it's good that some American bands are beginning to do that, but it's still very rare for bands to make a real effort. So when you get groups like The Killers and Scissor Sisters who come along, it's thrilling. I'm so over the tattoos and the T-shirts and rings through the noses. It's not pretty, it's not pleasant, it's not exciting. Please stop it now."

CBS will air a two-hour special on the Fashion Rocks concert on September 8. The gala entertainment special celebrates the best in fashion and music, and I will kick off New York’s Fall Fashion Week at Radio City Music Hall. The star-studded concert will feature performances by Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Bon Jovi, The Black Eyed Peas, Daddy Yankee, Jamie Foxx, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, The Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna, Scissor Sisters, Kanye West, and Sir Elton John. Proceeds from the concert will benefit John’s AIDS foundation.

To see the schedule of events and learn more about the concert, visit Fashion Rocks ’06.