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.
A radio station in Idaho is pushing back against homophobic listeners, and this tune is hitting just right.Classic rock station 96.6 The Eagle regularly blesses the airways with tracks from queer maestros like Elton John, Pete Townshend and Michael Stipe, just to name a few.The station or its catalogue of feel-good hits aren’t solely LGBTQ focused, of course, but the proud ally traditionally changes its logo in June to rock the rainbow.This year, the inclusive banner received several complaints from homophobic rock fans.Related: Super Bowl fans thought they’d found the perfect bar, but was a VERY different sort of ‘Eagle’The station’s response?
One more month of Pride, and maybe more.“Flag stays up for another month, deal with it,” The Eagle posted on Facebook. “If we lose fans that’s fine.
If we keep getting harassed then it will go another month. Plus Freddie Mercury rules.”The post has received over 18K likes and 4K comments, like this one from user John Payne:“As someone who grew up a gay kid in a small town in the Bible Belt listening religiously to my local classic rock station, I love this so much.
Rock belongs to the outsiders.”Not everyone’s as happy as John, though. The station has been responding directly to the haters, and sharing the exchanges.