Honour for Elton ahead of show

SIR Elton John has been commemorated as the first ever worldwide record store day legend as he prepares to play Widnes’s Select Security Stadium in June.

To mark the occasion, he will release a live album.

Recorded in 1970 in New York City, 17.11.70+ will also be released on vinyl in newly expanded form with unreleased tracks to mark the occasion.

Sir Elton said: “Happy 10th birthday to Record Store Day. I love record stores, I can go to the record store and spend three hours in there.

“Just the smell of it, the looking at it, the wonder of it, the memories.

“I love vinyl so much; the tactile nature, the ritual of it, looking at the sleeve, especially with the old albums and the liner notes – who played on them, the process of putting it on, the needle going on and the sound coming out.

“And it does sound better, I know it does! It’s just the wonder of having vinyl.”

Ticket sales for the gig at the Select Security Stadium have rocketed and hospitality packages are still available:.

Halton Borough Council’s executive board member for the stadium and culture, Cllr Phil Harris, said “There has already been considerable interest in our hospitality since the tour date was announced so book today on to avoid missing out on a unique opportunity.”

It is due to be the borough’s biggest gig since The Stone Roses played Spike Island in Widnes in 1990.

Sir Elton is at The Select Security Stadium, on Sunday, June 18.