Elton John Leads Brian Wilson Tribute at Hall of Fame Ceremony

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Nov 112025
 
Elton John covers Brian Wilson

At the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Elton John led a tribute to Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson. “We loved each other,” John said, “I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather pay tribute to than Brian Wilson and his family with this incredible song.” He then launched into a cover of the 1966 song, “God Only Knows,” with back up from musicians including Don Was on bass and Benmont Tench on piano. (“God Only Knows,” appeared on the Beach Boys record Pet Sounds.)

Describing the first time he met Brian, John said it happened the first time he was in Los Angeles with lyricist Bernie Taupin. “We were scared shitless because he was my idol. He was the one that influenced me more than anybody else when it came to writing songs on the piano. It was an evening we would never forget,” John said. “Meeting someone who was a true genius doesn’t happen very often.”

The emotions were visible on John’s face as he sang the repetitive title line, “God only knows where I’d be without you.”

Brian Wilson passed away in June from cardiac arrest at age 82.

In Defense: William Shatner’s “Rocket Man”

 Posted by at 5:00 pm  7 Responses »
Oct 152010
 

In Defense takes a second look at a much maligned cover artist or album and asks, “Was it really as bad as all that?” Check out past installments here.

William Shatner’s take on the classic Elton John/Bernie Taupin tune “Rocket Man” has an awesome power—people know it without ever having heard it. It seems to exist in our culture purely as a punchline, a go-to gag to illustrate the depth to which Shatner’s career had fallen post-Star Trek. And this is a joke everybody’s in on—sources as diverse as Beck (in his video for “Where It’s At“), Freakazoid, and Family Guy have all taken a few shots at Shatner for this one. But is it really so awful?

At the very least, there’s no denying that Shatner’s “Rocket Man” is very, very weird. The man who was Captain Kirk performed this song as a tribute to Bernie Taupin at the 1978 Saturn Awards ceremony, and audiences have wondered why ever since. Before we get too far into discussing this strange cover, let’s take a look at the video. Continue reading »