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Elton John Guests On New Alice In Chains Album

posted Aug 11, 2009 at 12:47 PM by Diamond Oz.  (16 Comments)

Rock legend Elton John has been revealed as the guest pianist on the title track of the new Alice In Chains album, "Black Gives Way To Blue."

"We were thinking about adding piano to the track and a friend suggested we call Elton," recalls guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell. "I remember laughing and saying, ‘Yeah, I’ll get right on that.’ But I decided it was worth trying and wrote Elton an email explaining what that song means to us - that it’s a real, raw openhearted song for Layne. We sent him the track and got a call shortly after saying he thought it was beautiful and that he wanted to play on it. We were blown away. Elton John is a huge influence on me as a songwriter and having him on that song is an amazing honour for us."

"I’ve long been an admirer of Jerry Cantrell and when he asked me to play on ‘Black Gives Way To Blue’, I was very flattered and couldn’t resist,” says John. “It was a great recording session with Alice In Chains for a beautiful song."

About the collaboration, Cantrell says, "Elton was finishing his Red Piano run in Vegas, so we flew there and hung out for a few hours. Walking into a studio and seeing the sheet music for that song on Elton’s piano made it meaningful on so many different levels. The whole experience was pretty magical."

What's Next?

16 Comments on "Elton John Guests On New Alice In Chains Album"

That_One_Guy's avatar

Member

1. That_One_Guy writes:

Interesting...

# Aug 11, 2009 @ 2:35 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
6(sic)6's avatar

Supporter

2. 6(sic)6 writes:

Well there's something you don't see every day...

# Aug 11, 2009 @ 2:59 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Gytrash's avatar

Member

3. Gytrash writes:

NIce PR move, Jerry. That'll get the album talked about. Let's hope it's good!

# Aug 11, 2009 @ 3:55 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
brandedcfh420's avatar

Member

4. brandedcfh420 writes:

double gayness!!!!!

# Aug 11, 2009 @ 4:50 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

5. metal-online.com writes:

http://www.metal-online.com/de/2009/08/11/alice-in-chains-kooperation-mit-elton-john/

# Aug 11, 2009 @ 5:17 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

6. jimmy j. writes:

Elton John? DAMN

# Aug 11, 2009 @ 5:28 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

7. Chazz writes:

Elton John on an Alice in Chains album?

# Aug 11, 2009 @ 6:47 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
psythe's avatar

Writer, Reviewer

8. psythe writes:

Don't hate me too much, but I actually LIKE old Johnny boy. Some of his songs are rubbish and gay and rubbish, but he has some real solid, powerful tunes, man. 'Tiny Dancer' is probly my fav. It even made it onto JJJ's Hottest 100 of All Time earlier this year :) Though admittedly it was a pretty bollocks list, but it did have SOME greatness on it.

# Aug 11, 2009 @ 6:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

9. RTB writes:

I guess they need a bigger fanbase, good luck with the rainbow coalition

# Aug 11, 2009 @ 7:19 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
utoad9's avatar

Member

10. utoad9 writes:

Elton was one of my earliest musical influences. Early John/Taupin material was awesome. Cool to know that Elton is familiar with AIC.

# Aug 11, 2009 @ 7:24 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

11. LR writes:

Wow! Elton + AIC, still sounds better to me then Chinese Democracy...

# Aug 12, 2009 @ 12:01 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Jamez's avatar

Member

12. Jamez writes:

Interesting. Well Elton John CAN play. I don't think his voice would be very fitting for AIC though ;)
And good to have you back Branded.

# Aug 12, 2009 @ 7:50 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

13. xxmechellexx writes:

Who will he play with next? I love Elton John, the only musician my mother and I both like. I don't think anyone could honestly say they don't like anything of his at all. Watch out, Elton, you may get covered by Children Of Bodom.

# Aug 12, 2009 @ 1:35 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
psythe's avatar

Writer, Reviewer

14. psythe writes:

^Heh, you know I almost wouldn't be surprised

# Aug 12, 2009 @ 8:28 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
DM725's avatar

Member

15. DM725 writes:

How can you people hate on Elton John? The guy can play the piano, its not like he's singing backup vocals. His early stuff is good, just because its not metal doesn't mean he doesn't rock the f*** out on that piano of his....

# Aug 13, 2009 @ 11:31 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Jamez's avatar

Member

16. Jamez writes:

DM725, Right on!! I Agree 100%. Not all good stuff have to be metal and full-on.

# Aug 13, 2009 @ 1:01 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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