Elton John Not Feeling the Love After Playing Rush Limbaugh's Wedding
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!"
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Elton John Snapshots
Elton John performs in concert at The Frank Erwin Center on April 10 in Austin, Texas. Check Out More Photos >>
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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
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 (60126943), 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 (60126948), 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 (60126960), 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 (60126953), contact FilmMagic.com
Elton John Snapshots
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Elton is a sell-out and I will never purchase another one of his CDs.
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Elton John is a profession first and foremost. He was hired to do a job. His being gay and in a relationship with a gay man is his personal life. Being gay or not gay is not like whether a life of a child was involved like with pro-life/choice. I could understand him turning down a gig for a pro-choice rally if he were a pro-life activist because that is a stand against life vs. death. Being gay doesn't hurt anyone.
While I may not agree with Mr. John's lifestyle, I do enjoy his music and I feel that he did the right thing by accepting the gig for Rush's wedding, and I am not a Rush fan either.
For Mr. John, I am sure he looked at it from a professional stand point only. It is not like he was a guest at the wedding after all.
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What is the big deal anyway? Elton John is only famous because he is a pianist and a singer, so shouldn't that be his primary role? Also, just because someone has radically different political views does NOT make them enemies. If anything, I love talking to people with different views because it refreshes my own views and can even give you different ways of looking at issues that you had never seen before.
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I agree with you. He probably is just a huge fan of Elton's music. Most people of his age are.
All things considered Elton John has been able to use his talent to define who he is as a singer songwriter. Elton John has always been flamboyant, but the fact is Elton John is a legend and a great piano player. History will record Elton John as being a great piano player.
who would marry rush limbaugh is my question? Eecks
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Is this the best the left can do is attack Elton John for exercising his right to use his talent for the benefit of Rush Limbaugh? Who cares if Rush has been married before, so much for the tolerance of the left. Stop preaching diversity to everyone else if you can't practice tolerance and diversity yourselves.
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You demand tolerance, then don't accept it when Rush Limbaugh shows some. You can't win a race if you refuse to see the finish line. It's not your race, your faith, or what you do in the bedroom I can't tolerate, it's all your hatred for anyone who does not see things exactly as you do. Find a mirror and preach tolerance at it for a few hours. You folks really need the lesson.
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Big Deal.
Rush can hire whoever he wants.
Bunch of big babies.. I don't like you anymore.. boo hoo..
I like EJs music; and would hire him if I could.
This doesn't change how I feel about his music.
Grow up... bunch of weenies...
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OMG get over yourselves, for cryin' out loud, ya bunch of flaming, finger-pointing hypocrites.
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To the editor, Mr. S
I got enjoyment out of your story. Thank you, it sure makes me smile to see something that's so none of your business make you people so mad.
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Does anyone see the blatant irony here?
Who's demonstrating more tolerance here? You guys that are saying awful things about Elton or Elton for entertaining people, even though he may have moral differences with the audience?
The audience clearly can put aside moral differences of opinion with Elton to enjoy a good show and Rush can put aside moral differences to pay someone a good sum of money to hear a good show at his wedding and Elton can put aside moral differences so as to entertain some people, which is his JOB.
The only people who can't set aside their moral differences here, are the very people who get so pissed off when people can't set aside their moral opinions about their moral decisions in life.
You just have to shake your head and wonder. If Rush said on air that he'd never hire Elton due to their moral differences, gays would be outraged that Rush would never hire someone like that. But then they're outraged that Elton would take a gig from Rush and surprised that Rush would hire Elton. So funny.
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I am sure Rush loves Elton John's songs and chose him to perform at his wedding! That is all. If I had money I would pay millions of dollars to have George Michael singing in one of my parties. Unfortunatelly I do not have money and I am not jealous of people who have it. George Michael is gay and I LOVE HIS SONGS! By the way, I am not a liberal; I am a proud independent!
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