Elton John & Rod Stewart — A Friendship of Decades, Between Jabs and Stages
How They Met
Elton John and Rod Stewart first crossed paths in the mid-1960s. Elton, then known as Reginald Dwight, was playing keyboards in the band Bluesology. Rod had already been part of groups like Steampacket and worked with Long John Baldry — a musician who was also part of Elton’s early journey.
Years later, Stewart recorded his own version of Country Comfort, changing some of the lyrics. Elton was not pleased, saying it seemed like Rod “made it all up on the spot.”
The Friendship and the Jabs
They quickly became friends — but their relationship was marked by playful provocations and humorous disputes. They gave each other drag nicknames: Elton was “Sharon” and Rod was “Phyllis.”
In 1985, Elton hired a sniper to pop Rod’s promotional blimp flying over Earl’s Court in London. The blimp descended onto a double-decker bus and was seen being taken toward Putney.
In 1986, Rod got back at Elton by sabotaging a huge banner for Elton’s show at the Olympia Stadium in Detroit — it was taken down minutes after being put up. Rod even called “Sharon” to comment on the “coincidence.”
Despite all that, there were also warm moments. At a show at Wembley, Elton surprised Rod by dressing in drag, sitting on his lap, and singing along — all while recovering from a recent hospitalization.
The More Serious “Fight”
In 2018, Rod publicly criticized Elton’s farewell tour, calling it “dishonest” and “smelling of money.” Elton responded firmly in his autobiography, saying he didn’t need lessons from someone who had spent years singing the Great American Songbook.
Rod later apologized and said he still loved Elton.
Today
In 2025, Elton publicly congratulated Rod on his 80th birthday, posting old photos and heartfelt messages. That same year, Rod received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Music Awards and continues to perform — and occasionally, to tease.
I edited a video featuring several interesting, sometimes little-known clips between Elton John and Rod Stewart.
Highlights:
May 5, 1974 – Watford Stadium, England: A charity show organized by Elton to raise funds for Watford FC. Tickets cost £1. Rod took the stage and together they performed Country Comfort.
May 3, 1993 – Aretha Franklin: Duets Special: Elton, Rod, and Smokey Robinson provided backing vocals for Aretha Franklin on “Chain of Fools,” in a TV program featuring some of the biggest names in music.
September 28, 2002 – Grand Slam for Children, Las Vegas: At the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Elton and Rod performed together at a benefit event organized by the Andre Agassi Foundation, raising $5.6 million to support children’s programs.
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Elton John and Rod Stewart: The 2005 Interpretation of “Makin’ Whoopee”
In 2005, Elton John and Rod Stewart reunited in the studio for a rare and notable collaboration: a duet on the classic standard “Makin’ Whoopee.” The recording was included on Rod Stewart’s album Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook, Volume IV, released in October 2005 by J Records. The project continued Stewart’s successful series dedicated to reinterpreting iconic songs from the American songbook.
“Makin’ Whoopee,” written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn in 1928, has been a staple of popular music for nearly a century. The version featuring Elton John and Rod Stewart stands out for bringing together two of the most recognizable voices in British music. Both artists, known primarily for rock and pop repertoires, approached the standard with a blend of humor, phrasing control, and stylistic elegance suitable for the genre.
The collaboration also reflects the long-standing friendship and creative rivalry between Elton John and Rod Stewart. Their contrasting vocal timbres—Elton’s warm, rounded tone and Stewart’s raspy delivery—created a dynamic and balanced interpretation of the song. For Elton John, the duet added another entry to his extensive list of collaborative works across genres. For Rod Stewart, it reinforced the commercial and artistic strength of his “Songbook” series.
The album itself featured several distinguished guest appearances and maintained Stewart’s position as a leading interpreter of traditional American repertoire. For researchers documenting Elton John’s career, “Makin’ Whoopee” represents an official studio collaboration that bridges classic American songwriting with British pop legacy, offering insight into how both artists navigated musical traditions beyond their primary discographies.
Rock’s best frenemies: Inside Rod Stewart and Elton John’s 50-year ‘war’
Feuding over everything from luxury gifts to album sales, the teasing rivalry has spanned decades – and just entered a new era
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