Sir Elton John just paid tribute to the late icon Brian Wilson at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night.
THE Crocodile Rock The hitmaker performed the Beach Boys God only knows as part of a tribute to the singer, who died in June aged 82, and also shared his memories of his former friend, including how terrified he was when they first met in Los Angeles.
Speaking on stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Sir Elton said: “We were really scared because he was my idol. He was the one who influenced me more than anyone when it came to writing songs on the piano. It was a night we will never forget.”
“Meeting someone who was a true genius doesn’t happen very often,” the pianist added.
The 78-year-old star told the audience how he and Brian became friends over time and worked on their records over the years.
He added: “We loved each other. I can’t think of anyone else I would rather honor than Brian Wilson and his family with this incredible song,” before delivering a sentimental rendition of the Beach Boys classic.
When Brian died earlier this year, Sir Elton remembered his friend as the person who had “the biggest influence on my songwriting”.
“He sang Someone saved my life tonight during a tribute concert in 2003, and it was an extraordinary moment for me. played on his solo records, he sang on my album, The Union, and even played for my AIDS Foundation,” the The rocket man wrote the singer.
“I grew to love him as a person, and for me he was the greatest influence on my songwriting; he was a musical genius and revolutionary. He changed the rules of the game when it came to songwriting and shaped music forever. A true giant,” concluded Sir Elton John.
