The Boo and the Hot Dog for “Your Song”

 The Boo and the Hot Dog for “Your Song”

In the spring of 1970, just after the release of his self-titled album in the United Kingdom, Elton John experienced one of the most humbling moments of his early career. He was invited to open a concert for Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 in Paris, during the group’s European tour. At the time, Mendes and his band were at the height of their popularity, having achieved international success with hits like “Mas Que Nada” and “The Fool on the Hill.” Their innovative blend of Brazilian rhythms and pop arrangements had earned them a reputation as one of the most exciting and sophisticated live acts of the era, making them a highly sought-after attraction in Europe and the United States.

At that time, Elton was still virtually unknown outside England. His album Elton John had just been released on April 10, 1970, in the UK, containing what would soon become one of his greatest songs, “Your Song.” The song was written in October 1969 by Elton John and Bernie Taupin at Elton’s family home in Pinner, Middlesex, and recorded in January 1970 at Trident Studios, London.

According to Sérgio Mendes (in an interview with Veja), the concert took place in Paris, probably at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Mendes recalled:

> “Elton is a dear friend. The first time I went to play in Europe, still in the 1960s, in Paris at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, I needed someone or a group to open my show. My European record executive was English and sent a trio from England — it was Elton John, right at the beginning of his career. When his opening show ended, I heard people yelling, and Elton came into my dressing room crying and apologizing. The French audience had booed him. Imagine that — nobody knew who he was, and he was performing at a bossa nova concert. I told him to forget about it, that everything was fine. The next day, I called England to speak with Gilberto Gil, who was in exile. I said I needed a Brazilian to open my shows. Gil took his guitar and, the next day, he was in Paris. But Elton John is a wonderful person. We became friends and met several times afterward.” — Sérgio Mendes interviewed in Veja magazine.

Source: https://veja.abril.com.br/cultura/sergio-mendes-as-historias-impagaveis-com-elvis-harrison-ford-e-paul-mccartney/

Elton John himself also mentioned it:

> “Certainly, it was better than my solo debut on the continent a few years later, when some bright spark booked me as the support act to Sergio Mendes in Paris. One audience member was so aggrieved at having his evening of bossa nova interrupted by the strains of Your Song that he threw his hotdog at me. Clearly, the only way was up. I kept touring Europe and gradually built up an incredibly loyal audience.” — Elton John, quoted in The Guardian.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/07/elton-john-touring-europe-young-artists-brexit-negotiators-musicians-support

That concert in Paris came only weeks after the release of Elton John. The audience, expecting Brazilian rhythms, could not relate to the piano-led, introspective songs of a relatively unknown British artist. Despite the boos, this moment is part of the fascinating overlap between a rising pop star and a band already internationally acclaimed for their vibrant and sophisticated sound.

By the end of 1970, Elton was no longer an anonymous opening act. “Your Song,” released as a single on October 23, 1970, reached the Top 10 in both the UK and the US, marking the start of a global career.

Years later, Mendes would recall the episode with affection, noting that Elton was a “wonderful person” and that they remained friends afterward.

From a night of boos and a thrown hot dog to worldwide applause, that Paris show illustrates not only the unpredictable path to success for Elton John but also the cultural significance and global reach of Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66, whose sophisticated fusion of Brazilian music and pop had already captivated audiences worldwide.

Sources:

Veja: “Sérgio Mendes: as histórias impagáveis com Elvis, Harrison Ford e Paul McCartney” — VEJA.
https://veja.abril.com.br/cultura/sergio-mendes-as-historias-impagaveis-com-elvis-harrison-ford-e-paul-mccartney/

“Elton John: Touring Europe, Young Artists and the Support Act Years” — The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/07/elton-john-touring-europe-young-artists-brexit-negotiators-musicians-support

“The Maestro, Part 2 — Sérgio Mendes” — Wax Poetics.
https://magazine.waxpoetics.com/article/sergio-mendes-the-maestro-part-2/

Pictures:

Sergio Mendes (left) and Elton John (right) pose with Cosmos star Pele before start of North American Soccer League game with the Los Angeles Aztecs on Saturday, July 2, 1977 in Los Angeles. Pele was bestowed with a City of Los Angeles honorary citizenship proclamation. Pele was also given the game ball and honored for his contribution to the sport. Mendes and Pele worked together on the soccer star?s biographical film which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. Rock singer Elton John is a director of the Los Angeles Aztecs