Elton John Slams Boycotting Artists at Israel Concert

By PopEater Staff Posted Jun 18th 2010 08:41AM

Another week, another provocative concert by Elton John. Fresh off a gig as Rush Limbaugh's wedding singer, the British icon performed Thursday in Tel Aviv, despite pressure from pro-Palestinian activists and fellow artists to boycott Israel following the flotilla debacle off the coast of Gaza.

"Shalom, we are so happy to be back here! Ain't nothing gonna stop us from coming, baby," John said with a fist in the air.

The piano man then took a swipe at those artists, including Elvis Costello, Santana, the Pixies and Devendra Banhart, who have bailed on concerts in recent weeks.

"Musicians spread love and peace, and bring people together. That's what we do," he said. "We don't cherry-pick our conscience."

Costello specifically called his decision to cancel a June 30 show a "matter of instinct and conscience."

As for the concert, the Jerusalem Post said John "turned into a human jukebox for two-and-a-half hours," mixing old and new favorites spanning his four decade career. Songs played included 'Levon,' Rocket Man' and more obscure hits like 'Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters' and 'Captain Fantastic.'

An estimated 50,000 fans crammed into Ramat Gan stadium in Tel Aviv.

John recently caused a stir when he played a secret show at Limbaugh's June 5 wedding. The gay icon caught some flack for the performance, which netted him a reported $1 million paycheck from the radio commentator, who strongly opposes gay marriage and has a history of negative comments about homosexuality.

"It betrays either ignorance or self-interest or both, and jeopardizes his admirable record on gay rights," Aaron Hicklin, Editor-in-Chief of Out, told PopEater at the time.

John's longtime partner, David Furnish, said the singer was "a little surprised" to get the invitation, but accepted the job after deciding "Life is about building bridges, not walls."

The singer said Limbaugh and his bride, Kathryn Rogers, "were incredibly gracious and very welcoming and very sweet and very appreciative."

Tags: elton john, Israel

Comments

(57)

Friday 18 June

By Suzen

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And he shouldn't, with that attitude. He doesn't owe you a d*mned thing. He had to scratch and claw his way to the top, & he did it! If you are a musician, you can do it the way he did.

By plansmaker

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I have more respect for Elton John than ever before...He is building bridges not walls and music is his vehicle. Elton John is showing the world how its done with courage. what a remarkable human being and a true blue musician...Bravo Elton!!!

By WILL

ELTON IS RIGHT MUSIC SHOULD BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER ,I HATE WHEN I GO TO A CONCERT AND THE MUSICIANS MAKE POLITICAL STATEMENTS , LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO DIXIE CHICKS , THE LITTLE FAT ONE'S BIG MOUTH RUINED ALL THIER CARRERS ,

By Deb

Good For Elton John

He's got my most outmost respect.

By Sherrie

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

He doesn't cherry pick his conscience? I'm wondering if he even has one? Elton John used to be my favorite performer, but I have very little respect for him now.

By Steve

I would hardly say money was his motivating factor since he turned down a whole lot more money to take Simon Cowell's place on American Idol.

By Bonbon

You rock Elton.

By GertieS

Elton Johns main concern is money, pure and simple.He will play in Iran next, no doubt

By elvis

You have no clue what you are talking about. I'm sure you've never been Israel and know nothing of the culture. Israel has the right to defend itself, and Elton has the right to play anywhere he wants.

I noticed steve, you didnt disagree thet Elton John would play in Iran next. The man has little conscience at all nowadays.

By mary

If there were more people in the world like Sir Elton, I think the world would be a better place. Really, he's trying to show love, when all anybody can do is hate on him! I applaud you, Sir Elton, and I now have the uttmost respect for you. Now please don't do something stupid because I just said that.

By Dave

The only people who slam Rush Limbaugh are the ones who have a personal interest in extortion racquet of socialism and those who don't even listen to his show. But then again these are the true ignorant bottom feeders of society.

By Ralph Zuccaro

Hey Elton, since when do musicians or entertainers have a conscience ???? The only thing they crave is attention ans SHECKLES!!!!!

By wil2660

Chad, yeah, clean water and such, also rockets, munitions, weapons of every kind, grow up, read some news.

By ChrisBfla

I think Israel should have sunk those boats. Their enemy is oour enemy. Go Elton! You have gained my respect!

By Arnold

Those who seem to think Israel has treated the Palestinians poorly are only displaying their ignorance of history. The Palestinians became "refugees" voluntarily. They were never driven from their land (except after losing wars they started). Instead, they abandoned their land rather than live in peace adjacent to the Israelis. I'm proud to see that Elton John didn't cave in those who follow Obama's every idea like a bunch of lemmings.

By Leah

Thank you Sir Elton, for having the chutzpah to go against this hideous and ever-swelling tide of anti-semitism!

By Cate

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Israel defending itself isn't the problem..it is that they feel they are the ONLY one with that right. If we want to get technical...the first time the people of "Israel" struck was when they took the land to begin with...that was no defense. If we want to pretend that once driven out of OTHER's homeland...all of the years until 1948 erased everything....that was again the beginning of these "Chosen people" striking at them yet again. SO stop already with the "They have the right to defend themselves" because only stupid people still believe this....and while there sure are monay..considering most of them believe whatever the majority tells them to believe...well, best remember that the world is seeing the truth more and more everyday.

Funny how it is used that it's theirs because God promised it....but research...and not my own...has shown WAY over 1/2 of Israeli's don't believe in God...and most of the one's who do are Palestinian Christians and Muslims.

By Ewww!

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The link for this said "Elton John Bucks trend..." ANyone else sure it was up the but that he "bucked" it?

By iamsprtkus

hey chad, i bet that after 40 years of these animals sending their kids over covered in dynamite, you'd be building a wall too. as soon as they decide to join the human race, we'll give them some water.

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