Piano Man Sir Elton John says "thank you" for PRS award (From Watford Observer)

Piano Man Sir Elton John says "thank you" for PRS award

4:48pm Wednesday 26th May 2010 in

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This Saturday, before Elton takes the stage before thousands of fans at Vicarage Road, he will be honoured with a PRS for Music Heritage Award, set up last year to recognise the unusual performance birthplaces of famous bands and artists.

Sir Elton is the fifth artist to receive the award, which is commemorated by a permanent black plaque that will be erected outside the curry house on Joel Street in Northwood Hills.

Among the guests attending the unveiling ceremony on Saturday morning will be 75-year-old George Hill, former landlord of The Northwood Hills who booked Sir Elton for his first gig.

Sir Elton says of the award: “I am delighted and honoured to receive this recognition from PRS for Music. We often forget what a significant and important part British musicians, writers and composers and performers have played in the history and development of music. Thank you.”

“I am delighted and honoured to receive this recognition. We often forget what a significant and important part British musicians, writers and performers have played in the history and development of music. Thank you

Sir Elton John

Behind a pile of boxes, under an old blanket in a garage in Sarratt, lies the dusty old piano that holds a big secret. For it was on this humble, neglected old instrument that 15-year-old Pinner schoolboy Reggie Dwight, now known to millions as pop icon Sir Elton John, played his first gig in 1962 at The Northwood Hills Hotel (now the Namaste Lounge Indian restaurant).

George began his 35-year career in the pub trade as assistant manager of Aldenham Lodge in Radlett, he then spent five years at the Hare in Stanmore (now Bluebeckers), where he acquired the piano, and a further 27 years at The Northwood Hills. On his retirement, George moved to Chipperfield and has lived in Sarratt for the past 11 years.

The piano may have made the journey from Bushey to Northwood but George’s regular pianist Albino Bob found the move a step too far, so a vacancy arose for a pub pianist. Elton, studying at Watford Music School at the time, knocked on the door.

“He was known as just Reggie Dwight then and came along and asked me if he could play,” recalls George. “I didn’t rate him all that much but my late wife Anne realised he was very talented.

“One of the regulars, Charlie Furness, used to give him hell – he had a good apprenticeship. Elton played for 18 months and on Sundays he’d come and practise in my restaurant – he probably composed some songs there. He was quite a performer, a honky tonk pianist, I used to fling beer trays at him and tell him to keep it down.

“He wasn’t a patch on old Bob though. There was nothing special about Elton, but he could obviously play the piano and was very popular with the customers.”

Of course, Elton went on to show he certainly was a bit special. During a five-decade career, he has sold more than 250 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of all time.

George’s son Andy (52) remembers touring with Elton during the ‘70s. “I worked as his PA, which meant I booked flights, tickets for wherever he wanted to go. I had a great life.

“He went through a phase ourageous colours flew to New York on Concord to go shopping and he turned up in white shorts, with different coloured shoes and socks on. Once when we were in LA, there was a board meeting we told him it was fancy dress and he turned up in a wig, with a frock on and rollerskates.” As well as the flamboyant lifestyle, Andy recalls Elton’s generous side.

“We’d go to Hawaii for tennis lessons and were at this bar one night and some people were fundraising for Save The Whale. Elton said, ‘I’ll do a gig for you tonight’ and he played for more than two hours for nothing. The bar was heaving and he raised thousands.”

The PRS plaque launch is open to the public and starts on Saturday at 11.30am, book at: heritageplaque@prsformusic.com