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Elton John V. George Micheal


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Old 10-06-2006, 18:02
Bextor
 
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In terms of talent, songwriting ability, vocals and performance who is better? When you think about it it is a tough one to call. They are both amazing and very talented and are all rounders.
They can do it all. Discuss.
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Old 10-06-2006, 20:57
living proof
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Originally Posted by Bextor
They can do it all. Discuss.
Umm.... They can do it all ?

Elton John writes music, he doesn't write lyrics.

I'm not a particular fan of either, but Elton John's output in the 70's was amazing, listen to some of his LP's from then, such as
Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy or Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - these records are in a different league to the crap he makes now.
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Old 10-06-2006, 21:06
getty
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I think Elton John by a long way, he's got a hit list as long as your arm, George Micheal's amount to a lot less.
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Old 10-06-2006, 21:09
Jimmy Connors
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Elton John. I'm biased though as I'm not a huge fan of Mr Michael.
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Old 10-06-2006, 21:10
FrankieB
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Elton John's career was in the doldrums in the late 70s / early 80s.

The third-rate song that was adopted by Sky for its football coverage, "Are You Ready for Love?", and was subsequently a hit a few years ago was originally released in 1979 and is just one example of how Elton couldn't give his records away back then.

However, in 1984, he heard of this young singer called George Michael who originated from near the same area as him and was a huge fan of his. George had started to make it really big at the time so a little while later Elton asked George to provide the backing vocals on 'Nikita' - purely to support the new, young artist and not at all in the hope of plugging into the Wham! and George fan base in order to revive his flagging career ............ no sirree!!!

Unfortunately, Elton's career took off again, he built a new image for himself from that point and he became bigger than he had been even in the 70s.

Personally, I think the day George agreed to do the backing vocals and set in motion the chain of events that resurrected the career of this self-obsessed, publicity-seeking individual of no outstanding vocal talent, no outstanding musical talent and non-existent lyrical talent was a sad day for the music industry.
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Old 10-06-2006, 21:17
delboy85
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I think most of Elton's 70's stuff is absolutely brilliant.
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Old 10-06-2006, 21:56
living proof
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Originally Posted by FrankieB
Elton John's career was in the doldrums in the late 70s / early 80s.
George had started to make it really big at the time so a little while later Elton asked George to provide the backing vocals on 'Nikita' - purely to support the new, young artist and not at all in the hope of plugging into the Wham! and George fan base in order to revive his flagging career ............ no sirree!!!

Unfortunately, Elton's career took off again, he built a new image for himself from that point and he became bigger than he had been even in the 70s.
This is Wrong, in the 80's before Nikita was released (and it's a dreadful song) Reg had been in a slump, but then around late '82 made a comeback with Blue Eyes, I guess Why They Call It The Blues, I'm Still Standing, Kiss The Bride, Sad Songs and Act Of War - these were all succesful worldwide BEFORE Nikita was released. You could argue that after that monstosity of a song was released Reg's career went south again until Sacrafice in '89.
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Old 11-06-2006, 13:46
Channel Hopper
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Originally Posted by Kevin Harrison
Umm.... They can do it all ?

Elton John writes music, he doesn't write lyrics.
The accolade of hits using Reginald Dwight as front man remains firmly with Bernie Taupin.
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Old 11-06-2006, 15:44
sleepydove
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Well I dont particularly see the point in comparing them; I like them both.
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Old 11-06-2006, 18:42
Numero One
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George Michael by far and away. Elton John has always been too overrated.
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Old 11-06-2006, 18:45
Bextor
 
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Originally Posted by sleepydove
Well I dont particularly see the point in comparing them; I like them both.
Me and a friend of mine were discussing it the other day and I just wanted to know other people's opinions. That's all.
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Old 11-06-2006, 19:07
living proof
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Originally Posted by Channel Hopper
The accolade of hits using Reginald Dwight as front man remains firmly with Bernie Taupin.
Bernie Taupin has been Reg's chief collaborator, but has has also written with Gary Osborne and had huge success with Tim Rice also.
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Old 11-06-2006, 22:41
truestepper
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Elton John by far. Saw him last night at the Riverside in Chester-le-Street and he was fantastic.
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Old 12-06-2006, 01:04
Acashoonhay
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Originally Posted by Kevin Harrison
This is Wrong, in the 80's before Nikita was released (and it's a dreadful song) Reg had been in a slump, but then around late '82 made a comeback with Blue Eyes, I guess Why They Call It The Blues, I'm Still Standing, Kiss The Bride, Sad Songs and Act Of War - these were all succesful worldwide BEFORE Nikita was released. You could argue that after that monstosity of a song was released Reg's career went south again until Sacrafice in '89.
Actually I have to agree with both you and FrankieB.

Yes, those songs were successful to an extent (moderately by comparison) but there can be little doubt that the involvement of George Michael was a thinly veiled cynical ploy to appeal to another fanbase.
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Old 12-06-2006, 01:05
Acashoonhay
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Originally Posted by Kevin Harrison
Gary Osborne
Great writer
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Old 12-06-2006, 07:05
blueblade
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Elton John is slightly the more talented IMO.
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Old 12-06-2006, 08:45
living proof
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Originally Posted by Acashoonhay
Yes, those songs were successful to an extent (moderately by comparison) but there can be little doubt that the involvement of George Michael was a thinly veiled cynical ploy to appeal to another fanbase.
Of course it was, I wasn't denying that, but the poster had claimed that until Nikita came along Reg hadn't had a hit in years, which was plainly wrong.

Nearly anytime an artist duets with a younger artist, it tends to be a ploy to appeal to another fanbase. It's happened for many decades now.
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Old 12-06-2006, 08:46
soullover
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Elton is the better songwriter. George is the best singer.
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Old 13-06-2006, 14:23
comicsansserif
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Elton IMO has certainly improved his vocal technique considerably since his early days. I much prefer him singing his early works now than the recordings made at then.

This was highlighted for me recently again when BBC4 did a run of short live concerts from the 70's, one of which featured Elton (the best was certainly Cat Stevens who wiped the floor with the others although Neil Diamomnd put in a good performance as well). Comparing the songs on there with the same ones done at the "Live in Australia" album just shows up how weak his vocals were back in the early days.
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