Elton Says He's Done Recording

Elton John shocked a Manchester, New Hampshire audience Friday night when he declared that his new album, Songs From the West Coast, will be his final one.

"It's the last record I'll ever make," John announced after performing "Philadelphia Freedom." "I'm fed up with it. I like playing to you guys, but I hate the record industry. I've made forty albums, and it's about time for me to get out."

The announcement was strangely timed, because critics and fans alike have praised Songs From the West Coast and John's recent energetic live performances as a return to form for the Rocket Man.

John closed Friday's concert by dedicating "Your Song" to the late George Harrison, who died of cancer Thursday in Los Angeles. "Wherever you are, George, be happy," John said after the song. "God bless you."

John will appear on A&E's Live by Request tonight at 9 p.m. EST.

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Song Stories

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry | 1984

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.

More Song Stories entries »

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