If I were Elton John, this is what I would say to my critics...

[MicaelS]

As an artist, if you pay to see me in concert, what I owe you is to perform my art to the best of my ability. If you buy my CD or download, I owe it to be as world class a recording as technically possible and free from physical or digital defects. If you buy some of my merchandise, I owe it to you to be quality, and not garbage.

That's it, nothing more. I'd don't owe you a fucking thing outside that. I have no responsibility to cater to ANY of your political, social, economic or religious.... beliefs, whims or prejudices.

You don't like what I say, or stand for, tough shit. Don't put money in my pocket. Take my CDs, and get rid of them. Delete my digital downloads. Don't buy any of my tickets or merchandise.

But, you want to boycott me? Go right ahead, I'm laughing all the way to my next gig, or party, or WTF-ever. As I take a side trip to deposit my latest fat check.

However, I could quit today, and still make more money in one year, after taxes, than most of you will ever make in your entire life.

I am NOT changing who I am one damn bit to kiss your delicate ass, or avoid offending your delicate sensibilities.

At this point in my life, I'm old enough and successful enough, and have swallowed enough shit from the talentless assholes of the world that I do not have to compromise one single iota. Not one. Not for you, or anyone.

Too many of you think YOU own MY art. That YOU own ME. Because you thought I said something to you when you were growing up. Or the first time you got laid. You got possessive of something that was mine. From my heart and soul and mind, not yours. You don't own me, or my art.

Finally you sound just like one of those right-wing assholes who boycotted, threatened, and silenced the Dixie Chicks. Because the Chicks had the temerity to say something that offended those self-same right wing assholes.

As an artist, I owe you a presentation of my art to the best of my ability, not one damn thing more. You don’t like that? Go to hell.

[UndertheOcean]

1. Bravo ... +10000

[Blue Owl]

2. If I were Elton John...

and I was able to stomach the spectacle of Jabba's 4th marriage without vomiting profusely, I would turn around and donate the million dollars to some left-wing ACLU or anti-war group in Rush's name. That might get under his greasy skin a little, and prevent him asking me to play at his inevitable 5th wedding.

[Raven]

3. Yup, confirms what I thought...Elton is an arrogant prick. n/t

[EOTE]

6. +1. Unrecced.

He very well could release a screed such as listed above, and I'd have even less respect for him. Sir Reginald fucked up this time around, I wish he'd just admit it. It won't keep me from enjoying his music, however.

[jgraz]

22. It won't keep me from enjoying his music either.

The fact that his music is overwrought, derivative tripe will keep me from enjoying it.

[EOTE]

24. Derivative? Are we talking about the same person?

Care to tell me what came before 1973's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road that sounded anything like it?

[jgraz]

26. Seriously? Have you heard of The Animals or The Zombies?

Or any other English rock group from the 60s?

[EOTE]

30. I'm a big fan of Brit rock.

And as much as I like both bands, neither came close to capturing the perfect atmosphere of GYBR. The Who and The Stones are probably my two favorite bands and I consider Elton John's music to be complimentary to theirs, not derivative.

[jgraz]

32. I guess this is an "agree to disagree" moment

Plenty of people like EJ's music. I'm just not one of them.

But no matter, dude still sucks for playing Limpball's wedding.

[Arkansas Granny]

9. FWIW, Elton did not say this. This is the response that the poster would have given.

[muffin1]

23. !

:yourock:

[BeFree]

4. Now

I am offended.

I wasn't before, but if that's the way he feels his art was just for money.
He can stick that where the sun don't shine.

Of course, I realize you are speaking for him, but still....

[Johonny]

5. man this makes Elton John sound like an * hole

I'm glad he didn't say that.

[Oregone]

7. "I did it for the money"

Enough said

[msongs]

12. like "a poltician" courting homophobes to get their votes and money yes?

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Like Liberace, crying all the way to the Bank.

[katandmoon]

10. Just boil that down to three words: "I'm a whore."

[Dappleganger]

15. +100000

[JerseygirlCT]

27. LOL... just what I was thinking. nt

[hlthe2b]

11. Wow... I sure wouldn't want you putting words like this in MY mouth...

Some of the posters on this thread seem to be under the impression, that these are John's words... They aren't... Maybe they reflect his feelings, nonetheless-- or maybe they don't at all... Who knows?

But lest the DU community come to my door with a bucket of tar and feathers, please MichaelS., DON'T speak for ME. :shrug:

[blondeatlast]

13. Pleasse, don't ever claim to speak for me--and I'm even pissed at Reggie. nt

[Stevenmarc]

14. If you were Elton you would be busy spending a million bucks not typing shit on a screen

[walldude]

16. Wow, well you sure showed me...

Next time I meet a Jewish Person who wants to perform at a Nazi Dinner Honoring Hitler I'll give him this post so he'll have a legitimate defense. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Christ, is this the best you can do?

[11 Bravo]

17. Godwin says : FAIL

I think Elton screwed the pooch in this instance, but rules are rules. You lose.

[walldude]

18. Bullshit it's a perfect analogy...

And I didn't call anyone a Nazi so Godwin doesn't apply...

[11 Bravo]

25. First of all, familiarize yourself with Godwin's Law. You need not "call someone a Nazi".

Godwin's Law states that the longer an internet discussion continues, the more likely it becomes that someone will eventually invoke Adolf Hitler or the Nazis. The first corollary to the law, is that the individual who does so has lost the argument. You did ... you FAIL. As for your "perfect" analogy, well fuck, if you don't understand analogical thought, then I can't help you. If Rush Limbaush had not only advocated for, but actually set in motion and successfully executed the systematic murder of millions of homosexuals; then your analogy would be "perfect". Otherwise, it's insane, hyperbolic bullshit. You have now failed twice.
Rush Limbaugh is a hateful, homophobic, bigoted, piece of shit. He is a pimple (or perhaps "anal cyst" would be more appropriate) on the American political scene. But he is not Adolf fucking Hitler. He should not even be compared to Hitler. And those who do so appear hopelessly foolish.

[LynneSin]

20. Two thumbs up for me on that one

No way ever I'll spend another dime on Elton John. I let him slide with Eminem because I saw John reaching out to someone who has been on our side on many other issues (Eminem has been opposed to war) and I felt could possibly change. Rush has never changed. He is the spider that the frog so kindly helps cross the river only to sting you once you get to the other side.

[bullwinkle428]

21. FWIW, I'm Jewish and I totally applaud your analogy!

:applause:

[Pithlet]

34. I think it's time to retire Godwin's law on the internets.

Or, there needs to be a law to invoke when Godwin is improperly invoked. Because sometimes it IS a valid analogy.

[texastoast]

19. Nope. He needed to say, "I ain't gonna play Sun City"

But only if he wished to continue to garner the admiration and money from his general fan base.

TOTAL hypocrisy.

[JerseygirlCT]

29. Little Steven, he ain't. nt

[Blue-Jay]

28. I stopped caring about this two days ago.

[pipi_k]

31. This sentence pretty much says it all...

"Finally you sound just like one of those right-wing assholes who boycotted, threatened, and silenced the Dixie Chicks. Because the Chicks had the temerity to say something that offended those self-same right wing assholes."




And it shows the blatant hypocrisy that permeates even the "reasonable" Left Wing/Liberal side of the political spectrum.

Did the people who are now turning their backs on Elton John think it was reasonable for the RWnuts to smash their Dixie Chicks CDs over what they said? Probably not. Probably laughed their asses off at the stupidity, because that's what it was.

And it's just as stupid for people to hate on Elton John for performing at Rush Limbaugh's wedding.

It's so great they have the freedom to worry about such trivial things.

[joeybee12]

33. Wow, it's times like these you really wish you could un-rec hundreds of times! n/t