Elton John has hit out at contemporary pop stars and shows such as American Idol, Britain’s Got Talent and the X-Factor. The flamboyant 63 year old, who is virtually a national treasure in the UK, has dubbed TV talent shows and the songwriters of today as ‘pretty boring’. He told Britain’s Radio Times “It’s important they [pop stars] write their own songs, so they’re not at the mercy of anyone.”
Born Reg Dwight, John co-wrote most of his hits with lyricist Bernie Taupin, including ‘Candle in the Wind’, ‘Tiny Dancer’, ‘Daniel’ and ‘Your Song’. Despite being a fan of Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga, he finds the current landscape pretty barren; saying “Songwriters today are pretty awful, which is why everything sounds the same. Contemporary pop isn’t very inspiring.”
He also has sage words of advice for young artists hoping for the express lane to fame and fortune: “The only way to sustain a career is to pay your dues in small… clubs.I was in a band at 17, became a songwriter with Bernie Taupin and wasn’t successful until we’d had six years of hard graft and disappointment, as well as great times.”
“TV vaults you to superstardom and then you have to back it up, which is hard. [British ‘X Factor’ winners] Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke are at the mercy of the next song they can get. [‘Britain’s Got Talent’ runner-up] Susan Boyle was an endearing phenomenon, but I fear she might not understand the rigors of showbusiness.”
