Elton John Not Feeling the Love After Playing Rush Limbaugh's Wedding

By Marc Schneider Posted Jun 7th 2010 11:59PM

It's not clear what's more shocking about Rush Limbaugh's weekend wedding: A) That it happened at all -- four marriages! -- or B) That the conservative firebrand was able to coax gay icon Elton John to perform at the reception. Given Limbaugh's past insensitive statements about homosexuals and his outspoken opposition to gay marriage, the LGBT community is none too pleased with Sir Elton, who according to widespread reports was paid $1 million to tickle the ivory at the radio host's marriage to Kathryn Rogers on Saturday night.

While GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) has declined PopEater's request for comment on the matter, incensed readers and editors of The Advocate and Out Magazine, not to mention gay-centric blogs, have already begun unleashing on the singer.

"I'm flabbergasted," Aaron Hicklin, Editor-in-Chief of Out, tells us. "It betrays either ignorance or self-interest or both, and jeopardizes his admirable record on gay rights."

Readers across the spectrum have been equally critical of John, who is in a civil union with his longtime partner, David Furnish.

"What a pathetic excuse for a human being, and I'm talking about Elton John," sniped an Advocate reader named Liam. "SHAME ON YOU ELTON."

Another reader, the_real_sweedie, was even more blunt, saying "This is such a hypocritical thing to do. It just shows that anyone can be bought, regardless of how much integrity one loses. He doesn't care about the gay culture at all, it's very clear here."

Other guests at Limbaugh's wedding, held at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, included actor-politician Fred Thompson, FOX News host Sean Hannity and former NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. A set list has not been leaked, but one can assume hits like 'Bennie and the Jets' and 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' were played.

On his wildly popular radio show, Limbaugh usually reserves his barbs for Democrats, environmentalists and all things liberal. But on occasion, the 59-year-old entertainer has brought homosexuality into the mix.

He once called openly gay Congressman Barney Frank a "banking Queen," and said Democrats will "bend over, grab their ankles, and say, 'Have your way with me" in order to ensure the support of gay voters. Other nuggets: "When a gay person turns his back on you, it is anything but an insult; it's an invitation" ... "The difference between Los Angeles and yogurt is that yogurt comes with less fruit."

Queerty.com, a popular gay blog, lashed out at the 'Rocket Man' for accepting "bloody money" from Limbaugh.

"It will be Rush who writes out the check to Elton for the seven-figure sum; money that, let's all face, Elton doesn't really need," the site writes. "And even if his intention was to donate the cash to a LGBT youth group, it's already bloody money, and tainted."

Village Voice columnist Michael Musto flat-out called John a "whore" during an appearance Monday night on 'Countdown With Keith Olbermann.'

This isn't the first time John has cozied up to someone perceived to be a touch homophobic. His duet with Eminem at the 2001 Grammy Awards turned heads and led to a long friendship between the pair.

Whether John's fans will exit in droves because of the wedding gig remains to be seen. But for one Advocate reader, the damage was done.

"Elton's discs just left my shelf. No more," writes D from Raleigh. "Rush is a boil on the ass of humanity and Elton just licked it!"

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=873612&pid=873611&uts=1272047005

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/movies/?s_channel=us.moviespop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Elton John Snapshots

Elton John performs in concert at The Frank Erwin Center on April 10 in Austin, Texas. Check Out More Photos >>

Gary Miller/FilmMagic.com

FilmMagic.com

Elton John Snapshots

In this photo provided by Fox, Sir Elton John performs at "Idol Gives Back 2010" on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Vince Bucci/PictureGroup/Fox) ** MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT **

Elton John Snapshots

In this photo provided by Fox, Sir Elton John performs at "Idol Gives Back 2010" on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark Davis/PictureGroup/Fox) ** MANDATORY PHOTO CREDIT **

Elton John Snapshots

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2009 file photo, Elton John attends the Elton John AIDS foundation "An Enduring Vision" benefit, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file)

Elton John Snapshots

Elton John performs at the Sears Centre Arena on April 15, 2010 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Elton John In Concert - April 15, 2010 Sears Centre Arena Hoffman Estates, IL United States April 15, 2010 Photo by Lyle A. Waisman/WireImage.com To license this image (60177377), contact WireImage.com

Elton John Snapshots

Musician/vocalist Sir Elton John (R) and musician Davey Johnstone perform in concert at The Frank Erwin Center on April 10, 2010 in Austin, Texas. Elton John In Concert - Austin, TX The Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX United States April 10, 2010 Photo by Gary Miller/FilmMagic.com To license this image (60126999), contact FilmMagic.com

Elton John Snapshots

Musician/vocalist Sir Elton John performs in concert at The Frank Erwin Center on April 10, 2010 in Austin, Texas. Elton John In Concert - Austin, TX The Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX United States April 10, 2010 Photo by Gary Miller/FilmMagic.com To license this image (60126974), contact FilmMagic.com

Elton John Snapshots

Tags: elton john, rush limbaugh

Comments

(133)

Monday 07 June

By Maeve

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

The thing I find funniest about this story isn't Elton's decision to play Limbaugh's wedding. It's the fact that, once again, a right winger espousing (pun intended) family values is now on his fourth wife. Apparently his wives find him as hard to stomach as I do. Wonder how long this one will last?

By Karen J.

Well, at least there is one thinking person out there! I thought the very same thing.

By rick

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Maybe Rush and his bride are fans Elton's music. He is quite talented. Maybe his music fit in with the wedding. Elton. Keep the money. Dont donate a dime to these hateful and intolerant people. And thank you for putting differences aside to enhance a lovely ceremony. Shows you put the love in your music to practice. It shows that you are a true gentleman, Sir Elton John.

By elin

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

no surprise there. Rush is a jerk.

By roseyoung

Vote down Vote up Report this

For a quarter of that i would have kissed the guy's arse twice.

By LINDSAY

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

There goes my admiration for Elton John...OMG. Money isn't
everything...and since Elton doesn't really need money that badly...he should have turned down Fatso!

Doesn't Elton John realize Limbaugh is anti-gay..anti-just about everything even slightly progressve?

I am disguested hearing this news...I repeat: MONEY ISN'T EVERYTHING!

Tuesday 08 June

By susan

Why is this offensive to anyone ??? I could careless what entertainer performs at someone's wedding. An entertainer was paid to perform at a wedding, so what's the big deal??? If I had the money Rush has and could afford to pay Elton John to sing for me I would. Sounds like a simple business transaction to me.
To be honest, I would be more upset if Rush hired Chris Brown, a woman beater to sing at his wedding. Would people be upset if Chris Brown was the singer ???

By LovingLA

Elton John is secure enough with who he is that he doesn't have to segregate himself from people with different views ..We have to live in this world with all kinds of people ..We can choose to make that difficult or we can choose to make it easier .. That's our choice.

By sam

s c r e w all you queers.

By leonmadrid546

Money has no memories,shame or principles, what
a disgrace on Elton, he/she is a real drag queen.

By Janet

leon, Why are you surprised 90% of Hollywood bashes capitalism and yet they CONTINUE to make millions from capitalism. It seems to me they just don't want OTHERS to have the same opportunity as they have been afforded. It's always easy to promote social justice when you've already made your millions.

By Karen

Get over it! I'm so tired of people who are gay telling everyone else to be tolerant. How about gay people taking a dose of their own medicine. I refuse to conform to your sickness!

By fatmansplicer

for a million i would have played standing on my head. maybe ej needs the money hard times out there.

By Jocko

Maybe the LGBT and GLAAD aren't as tolerent as they profess to be? No sense getting their dander up. EJ is an entertainer 1st. Not to mention a cool million for 1 gig. Maybe Rush was trying to convert him?

By Lori walker

Rush is not an entertainer He's a student of history and politics Nice try But your fools and He doesn't hate Gays He hates the laws parading around as liberal when they are restricting people

By evelyn

You know what they say, "Me thinks he doth protest too much"... and that person is often the one who has the latent tendecies themselves (Haggard, et al) So, maybe pill-poppin Rush thinks Elton is cute and wanted him around while he married his money-hungry, young BEARD, I mean bride, to throw people off the scent.

By STANDIEGO

HEY TAKE THAT STUPID JERK'S MONEY AND PUT IT TO GOOD USE, MEAN WHILE SHOWING HIS CROWD A GOOD PERSON. .. THE CONSERVATIVE CROWD IS SO BRAINWASHED....THEY NEED TO SEE THE OTHER SIDE SOMETIMES.......THIS JUST PROVES RUSH HYPOCRACY ...AS USUAL...NOTHING ELSE

Actually Stan the hypocracy is on the libs side.As I stated in an earlier post, Rush got twice as much for his money spent on Elton. Rush proved that the libs are the hypocrits. They preach socialism and distribution of wealth while they CONTINUE to earn money through good ole capitalism. Plus he got good entertainment at his wedding. Looks like Rush proved his point.

By paul

WHY ELTON WHY?

By DAY5628

Elton John is obviously a capitalist....a Good thing to be in America!!!! Why is he supposed to be beholden to any group??? He is an individual capitalist who made a great payday at this particular gig??!!!!
You go Elton and Rush!!!!!!

Page 5 of 7