In
1994, Elton collaborated with lyricist Tim Rice on songs for Disney's
animated film, 'The Lion King'. One of the collaborations, 'Can
You Feel The Love Tonight', won the Academy Award for Best Original
Song, as well as the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
1994 would also see Elton inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame. Elton's 1995 album 'Made In England' continued his comeback
with the album peaking at number 3 on the UK charts and number
10 on the US charts with the album going platinum in the US.
Elton brought back some of his old associates, percussionist Ray
Cooper, guitarist Davey Johnstone, and, orchestrator Paul Buckmaster,
who gave the 'Elton John' album its distinctive sound 25 years
earlier. Elton remained a musical jukebox: "Please" had
a twangy guitar riff that sounds like the 1965's Searchers. Guest
organist Paul Carrack brought a soulful Booker T.-like feel to "Man." "Believe",
the album's first single, displays the influence of Elton's friend
John Lennon. Bernie Taupin wrote mostly in short, simple, declarative
sentences and gave his songs one-word titles ("House," "Cold," "Pain," etc.)
His overall theme develops a positive conclusion with "Blessed" eventually
triumphing over adversity ("Lies").
In 1995, Elton John was made a Commander of the Order of the British
Empire, (an award given by the Queen for service to the community).
In 1997, the earlier hit, 'Candle In The Wind', originally donated
to Marilyn Monore, would be altered by Bernie for the passing of
Diana, Princess of Wales and Elton would perform it at her funeral
in Westminster Abbey. 'Candle In The Wind 1997' would become the
fastest selling single of all time and would gross over 30 million
copies sold worldwide, yielding a profit of £55 million which
Elton would donate to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
'Candle In The Wind 1997' would go on to win Elton the Grammy Award
for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance as well.
In 1998, Elton would be knighted by HM Queen Elizabeth II on February
24, thus making his name, now, 'Sir' Elton John.
Despite the fact that Elton was fitted with a pacemaker in July
of 1999, he would continue to record and tour extensively as well
as honouring his multi-year contact to perform at Caesar's Palace
in Las Vegas (a show entitled, 'The Red Piano' is a multimedia
concert featuring massive props and video montages created by David
LaChapelle.
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