Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums, John has sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including seven number ones in the UK and nine in the US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts. He has also produced records and occasionally acted in films. John owned Watford F.C. from 1976 to 1987 and from 1997 to 2002. He is an honorary life president of the club.
Madonna says she’s “gagging” to collaborate with Britney Spears again
Breaking! News! Alert! Madonna has revealed that she wants to record another collaboration with Britney Spears (!). In a six-minute video posted to Instagram, in which she answers 50 of her fans’ most burning questions, the pop icon said she’s “gagging” to get into the studio with Britney to record a follow-up to their iconic 2003 anthem Me Against the Music.
Although the hip-hip-infused dance track only peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 – sacrilege! – it was a major commercial success in various countries around the world, including the UK, where it reached the runner-up position. (Again, sacrilege, but better than 35.) The music video, which sees both stars engage in a cat-and-mouse chase in a nightclub, is legendary in both of their discographies, and has been parodied and referenced various times in popular culture.
Madonna, who has remained close friends with Britney since the collaboration, having attended her nuptials to Sam Asghari, also pays tribute to the star towards the end of the video as she looks into the camera and says, “It’s Britney, bitch!” This month, Britney made her long-awaited comeback to the music industry since the termination of her widely-publicised conservatorship with the Elton John duet, Hold Me Closer.
Based on the first three lines of Elton’s classic 1971 hit Tiny Dancer, the track skyrocketed to number one on the US and UK iTunes charts and is expected to become Britney’s 24th top 10 single in the latter country.
