Bernie Taupin will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this Friday (Nov. 3). The honor is long overdue, but the songwriter has a hunch why this has happened, and it has to do with Elton John.
When Sir Elton was inducted into the Rock Hall in 1994, he famously gave his statue to Taupin. John said, in part, “I’m kind of feel cheating standing up here accepting this, because without Bernie, there wouldn’t have been an Elton John at all.”
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Taupin touched on this moment in a new interview with Cleveland.com. Taupin says, “That’s the big thorn in the paw because in a lot of people’s minds, that’s the reason I was not inducted before now, because certain elements of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame didn’t like the fact Elton brought me up on stage…and gave me his award”
He added, “So they just assumed that I already had the award so I didn’t need to be inducted myself — which is pretty puerile, if you think about it, and pretty childish and churlish at the same time.”
Sir Elton has been announced as one of the performers for the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, which will stream live on Disney+ starting at 8 PM ET. It will be available to stream following the ceremony. ABC will also air the primetime special, 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This will feature performance highlights and standout moments and will air on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. EST. That abridged special will be available the next day on Hulu and Disney+.
Also booked to perform are Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, H.E.R., New Edition, St. Vincent, Sia, Miguel, Common, Carrie Underwood, Adam Levine and Stevie Nicks.
The diverse list of 2023 inductees includes Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, the Spinners, DJ Kool Herc, Link Wray, Chaka Khan, Al Kooper and Don Cornelius.