"Crock o' Bile" Rock": Did Elton John really play Limbaugh's wedding?
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"Crock o' Bile" Rock": Did Elton John really play Limbaugh's wedding?
You know Elton John -- biggest pop superstar of the mid-1970s, liberal and openly gay (OK, it did take a while) entertainer, a guy who's raised at least $175 million for his Elton John AIDS Foundation and millions more for other efforts to fight the illness, a tireless fighter for gay and lesbian causes.
You also know radio's Rush Limbaugh, the very un-gay-friendly right-winger who's been known to spread misinformation about AIDS, who once aired a song about gay Rep. Barney Frank called "Banking Queen," and made numerous other politically incorrect or worse remarks about homosexuals during his long toxic career over the airwaves.
So when Limbaugh got married for the fourth -- count 'em, four! -- time this weekend down in Florida, it makes perfect sense that the musical entertainment was...Elton John.
Huh?
How much does it cost to veer from the yellow brick road? A cool $1 million, according to the Palm Beach Post.
Blogs that trumpet progressive causes have been reacting with shock and disappointed awe to the reports throughout the day. Typical is the response of the Village Voice's Michael Musto, a longtime proponent of gay rights:
Our out gay pal--who does so much for our cause when he's thinking, um, straight--pocketed a cool million to help validate the twisted family values of a man who's done even more to (bleep) with gay rights than he's done to help Mexican production of OxyContin.
Why, Elton, why?
Wasn't it enough that you duetted with verbal gay basher Eminem at the Grammys that time, making it OK for him to keep making a lucrative sport out of kicking us in the groin and calling it poetry?
Please stop pocketing blood money to further the devil's cause.
Can't you just auction off some wigs?
A couple of caveats. First, the furor is based on a lone report from the Palm Beach paper, leaving open the possibility that it never really happened (no footage or pictures have surfaced), although presumably Sir Elton would have issued a swift denial if the report is erroneous.
Secondly, it's quite possible -- perhaps likely, given his track record -- that the Artist Formerly Known as Reginald Dwight is donating all of his so-called "blood money" either to his AIDS Foundation or another progressive cause, and if so, there are some who would revel in the irony. And it wouldn't even be the first time. It's been reported that animal rights activist Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders (who was in West Philly recently outside a McDonald's protesting, um, meat) donates the considerable royalties she receives for Limbaugh's use as theme music of "My City Was Gone" to PETA and related causes.
Still, all this raises the question: What exactly would Elton John perform at Limbaugh's wedding, anyway? Last night, the question echoed across Twitter, with some of the suggestions for altered titles including "Goodbye Yellow Brick Pill," "Bennie and the Percocets," and "Someone Changed My Wife Tonight." (Feel free to add your own in the comments). Of course, the singer wouldn't even have to change the words to one of his greatest hits: "Honky Cat."
Will, I guess EJ is a captialist, and will put aside his liberal politics for the evil dollar. I guess it is ok with you that President Obama decided to miss the D-Day commemoration. Even your buddy Michael Smerconish played your nemesis Ronald Reagan's speeches from the 40 anniversary of D-day. I wish Obama was 1/10 the President that Ronald Reagan was.— Bush3
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
#3, and of course you panties were in a knot when Bush2 missed that same event....of course you were...hahaha.— Les Ismore- Is this the same space where I read the lamenting of the fact that people on opposite sides of the political fence used to socialize together but regretably no longer do? Isn't this a positive development towards less rancor among people on different sides?— Ramon
Will, I'll come to a party of yours for the right price.— jmc- Elton might actually need the money. Supposedly, his spending habits would make Mike Tyson blush.— Calvin Jones & the 13th Apostle
- I love it. I've never doubted Rush was anything but an entertainer. He makes MILLIONS of dollars playing a "political genius" four hours a day on the radio, then goes home, pops pills, puddle-jumps to private islands, gets his freak on while spazzing to ABBA or Elton, or I guess the Pretenders. His life away from the Golden Microphone resembles little of his stage presence. THE PROBLEM IS his audience turns off the radio but keeps on living the dream, and or nightmare.— pagoda
- let me preface this by saying that I am no huge fan or Rush. Riddle me this- why is Rush's drug problem so funny, but Obama's the Kennedy's, and other alcohol/drug addictions are to be excused as sickness?— Tom813
- Comment removed.
"bunch is angry because a gay man isn't living up to the stereotype of a gay man" . . . . . Or maybe a bigot isn't living up to the stereotype of a bigot? It's obvious that Rush truly aspires to the cultural elitism he otherwise "sneers" at for his listeners' "entertainment", lol.
Ok let me straighten this out. I listen to Limbaugh regularly. He is anti activist gay agenda. The special status. I have never heard him gay bash-ever. Liberal bash-you bet. Everything isn't about politics (or race). I'd love to have EJ perform at my party. Can't afford it, but would love it. Maybe this is hiding Wil's jealosy about Limbaugh's money. After all, a conservative isn't smart enough to be rich unless he stole it from a poor guy, which would be tough since poor people by definition don't have money.— georgel- pagoda, you are right and if you listen to him, it is a non-stop stream of wacky stuff he tries to throw against the wall to see if anything will stick. Does anyone take him seriously except John Boehner and the Republican leadership? He and Sarah Palin have the "flying monkeys" to do their bidding including harrassment and intimidation.— Les Ismore
- "Riddle me this- why is Rush's drug problem so funny" . . . . . Speaking of riddles, why hasn't he moved to Costa Rica yet?
- Les Ismore...I am tired of the bush bashing...he is not President now, Obama is...he is supposed to be different...he is not...glad he had time for another concert at the White House. He is like Nero partying while Rome burns...— Bush3
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