Sir Elton John: 'I will never write another pop single' Sir Elton John has called time on his song-writing career, declaring himself too old to write another pop single.   By Heidi Blake Published: 11:49AM GMT 31 Oct 2010 Comments Sir Elton John plays the 02 Arena Photo: ITV The man frequently hailed the greatest song-writer of his generation, with hits such as Rocket Man, Your Song and Candle in the Wind, said he can no longer compete with younger stars like Lady Gaga. The 63-year-old said he would continue with several “little side projects”, such as his collaboration with the US pop band Scissor Sisters, but declared that he would never put out another solo single.   In an interview with GQ magazine, he said: “I'm at that stage where I don't think I can write pop music any more. I can't sit down and do a proper rock song. It was okay when I was 25 or 26, but not any more. “I like to do my little side projects like Scissor Sisters and have fun, but I don't think Elton John will be putting any pop singles out." He added: "Look, I'm 63, I don't want to be on VH1 or MTV. I'm not going to compete with JLS or Lady Gaga.” Sir Elton formed half of one of pop's most successful song-writing partnerships with the lyricist Bernie Taupin in 1967 and went on to have more than 50 Top 40 hits. Earlier this month he released The Union, an esoteric album of duets with the little-known US singer song-writer Leon Russell. Launching the album at the BBC Electric Proms last week, he said: "I can't make pop records any more and I hate videos. I just watched VH1 and it makes me want to vomit. "I've made 40 odd albums. People aren't screaming for another Elton John record - I'm not screaming to make another record". Sir Elton added: "The singles chart isn't one I'm going to be in". The 63-year-old, who has sold more than 250 million records in a career spanning five decades, recently launched a withering attack on the music industry, declaring that today’s songwriters were “awful” and modern pop singles "all sound the same". He lambasted television talent shows for failing to produce any genuinely gifted stars and said true artisits should write their own material. But despite his vocal contempt for singers such as Alexandra Burke and Leona Lewis who won their fame on ITV's X Factor, he has shown a soft spot for Lady Gaga. Sir Elton performed a duet the flamboyant US singer last February at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. The pair performed a “mash-up” of their respective hits Your Song and Speechless sitting opposite each-other at two grand pianos. They have also teamed up to record a single called Hello, Hello for the forthcoming Disney film Gnomeo and Juliet. Lady Gaga, 24, performed at Sir Elton's White Tie and Tiara ball last June and was rewarded with a gift of a vintage tea set from his own chinaware collection. PRESS: Elton John on US tour with Leon Russell http://www.fastpitchnetworking.com/pressrelease.cfm?PRID=48674

After conquering position three of the Billboard charts just within days for his latest duet album "The Union" with Leon Russell, Sir Elton is going to play eleven concerts in the US between Nov 3 and Nov 21, 2010.

Date Released: 10/29/2010

Just ten days ago, Elton John has released "The Union", a cooperation with Leon Russell, whom he calls one of his idols. What makes this new album so interesting, and supposedly also successful, is the fact, that Sir Elton and Mr. Russell met at their musical roots and created an atmosphere of pureness and honesty mixed with great joy of playing. Producer T-Bone Burnett, who won the Grammy 2009 for a similar duet project with Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, gave "The Union" its authenticity and distinctive, unique character. Another feature to mention: It is Elton John's first album since 30 years without participation of his usual band-mates, only his con-genius songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, participated as customary. Obviously surprised by the extraordinary success of his new album, Sir Elton is just doing a mini US tour, beginning next Wednesday, with concerts only in Los Angeles, Ontario, Phoenix, Hidalgo, Lafayette, Tulsa, Fort Worth, Asheville, Chattanooga, Daytona Beach and Lakeland. Six of these eleven shows are featuring Leon Russell. Besides the songs of the new album including the first single "If It Wasn't For Bad", it can be expected that Elton John and his all-star band will play all the hits of over three decades including "Rocket man", "Crocodile Rock" and "Candle in the Wind". "The Union" surprised already critics as well as fans. We can be curious, what further surprises Sir Elton will deliver in his live shows. Get your Elton John Tickets here