Elton John pays tribute to David Bowie with ‘Space Oddity’ cover version – watch

"He was boundary-changing and he danced to his own tune," says Elton

Elton John dedicated a cover of David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ to the late singer at a concert in Los Angeles this week.

John was performing live at the Wiltern Theatre on Wednesday night (January 13), two days after the news of Bowie’s death was announced. He played an instrumental version of ‘Space Oddity’ which segued into his own hit ‘Rocketman’.

Speaking about Bowie on the night, Elton John said that it was listening to ‘Space Oddity’ that helped him record his own debut album. “The songs were very classical orientated,” he said. “I didn’t know who I wanted to use. Then I heard a record which blew me away. It’s called ‘Space Oddity’.”

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Elton John began working with ‘Space Oddity’ producer Gus Dudgeon and arranger Paul Buckmaster in a relationship which continued for years. “I have David Bowie to thank for that amazing collaboration,” he said.

After the performance John added: “We are know how inspiring he is. We all know that his music stands. We don’t have to say anything about the music: it speaks for itself. He was innovative, he was boundary-changing and he danced to his own tune – which in any artist is really rare.”

As reported, producer Tony Visconti has revealed Bowie was planning to record and release another album after ‘Blackstar’. It was previously suggested in a separate report that there is material leftover from the ‘Blackstar’ sessions which could see a future release.

David Bowie has been cremated in New York according to reports. It is believed he was privately cremated without any friends and family present, as per his wishes. He wanted “to go without any fuss”, a source told two UK newspapers.

He passed away on Sunday (January 10) following an 18 month battle with cancer. Reports have since suggested that he “died from liver cancer” after “surviving six heart attacks”.

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See more tributes to David Bowie here.

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