I love Elton John, and I have a R&B and Hip-Hop Show on a college station. I would love to play him, but I don't know if it would fit with my formatt. I want to know has Elton ever been played on R&B radio? If so what songs?

His singing is fairly bluesy, but I can't really hear him on R&B radio. Not that that's fair however, because some of his stuff can be funky at times like Honky Cat, or Benny & The Jets, but I don't hear it.

Not to mention college radio usually plays more obscure stuff than Elton John, but then they also break from rigid formats more than mainstream radio.

So basically my answer is of no help whatsoever.

No doubt, some songs like Levon, Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word, Don't Let the Sun...& others would work really well for R&B singers, too.

Najee said:

These would be my recommendations in this case.

He also had a huge hit singing with Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, & Stevie Wonder

NDRU said:

It's understood about "That's What Friends are For," but that is not the type of song you hear on soul formats. Not only is it a pop/crossover-oriented song geared for the adult contemporary audience it's consider more of a "special cause" song than one that would be in a regular music format.

Najee said:

I agree, and that's what I think of most of his music, but I'm just pointing out that he hung vocally with some R&B greats.

Really, I can't imagine Elton on R&B radio, except maybe the Eminem duet, and probably not that anymore either.

Elton was the first white artist to play Soul Train when "Bennie and The jets" came out.

PimpandCircumstance said:

Well, Pimp, it's your show. If you feel Elton has some tunes that would fit into your format...then play them! Why the hesitation? If your listeners don't like it, I'm sure they will let you know before the song is over.
[Edited 9/18/07 15:14pm]

Quamirozsaz said:

That's the beauty of college radio. You actually have some choice as to what you play, unlike basically every major radio station nowadays.

Well...

Have you considered playing that Timbaland & Elton John song "2 Man Show"? It's on Tim's latest album.

Another option would be to play Mary J. Blige's "Deep Inside" and follow it up with "Bennie and the Jets."

Quamirozsaz said:

PimpandCircumstance said:

Actually "Bennie and the Jets" was a Top 5 R&B Single, as well as a #1 Pop Single in 1974. It was about that time when Soul Train had him on. Next year they had David Bowie w/ "Fame", anoth R&B Top 5 and Pop #1.

Smittyrock70 said:

Elton John's "Bennie and The Jets" peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard R&B Singles charts in 1974 (source: Billboard magazine).

As for David Bowie, "Fame" peaked at No. 21 in 1975. His highest charting single on the Billboard R&B Singles chart was 1983's "Let's Dance" (No. 14).
[Edited 9/18/07 18:48pm]

Najee said:

I stand corrected. Thanks!

AlexdeParis said:

Very good suggestions, particularly with the Mary J. Blige song having that "Bennie and The Jets" reference. I personally think with the right song (Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown?"), "Bennie and The Jets" can be played without someone doing a double-take.
[Edited 9/18/07 18:50pm]

"Philadelphia Freedom" would definately fit in on R&B radio better than any of the rest of Elton's songs. Don't be surprised though if something with a little more rock edge would be well received. On R&B radio in the past, Prince had "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad" and "Let's Go Crazy". Ray Parker, Jr. had "The Other Woman". Tina Turner had "You Better Be Good To Me". Sure, those are black artists but white artists have been well received on R&B radio such as Hall and Oates and Boz Scaggs. That's because DJs back then were free to experiment and take a chance on things that they like. I like to play Elton John's "The Bitch Is Back" whether I'm playing rock or funk. It's like a theme song of mine.

Anyway, don't be afraid to take a chance on a song though. If they don't like what you play, maybe play it again just to see how people's moods are. If they still don't like it, then you can always drop it.

AlexdeParis said:

followed by the Biz

Milty said:

That's correct.He was on Soul Train in 1974,at the height of his popularity.I remember this episode well.He's always been a huge fan/supporter of R&B music.