April 12, 1974 –
Elton John song Bennie and the Jets (Penny on the desk) hit No. #1 in the US on this date.
Elton wrote the music to this song as an homage to glam rock, a style defined by outrageous costumes that was popular in the early ‘70s, especially in the UK. Artists like David Bowie and Gary Glitter got into the act, but for Elton, it was an extension of his personality – he really was gay and liked to wear feminine clothes on stage. He became known for his wild appearance and collection of gaudy sunglasses.
One year later, April 12, 1975 –
Elton John hit No. #1 again with hit song, Philadelphia Freedom, on this date.
Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics to most of Elton John’s songs, but Elton would occasionally suggest titles. Elton requested a song with the title Philadelphia Freedom in honor of his friend, the tennis player Billie Jean King. At the time, there was a professional tennis league in America called World Team Tennis, and in 1974 King coached a team called the Philadelphia Freedoms, becoming one of the first women ever to coach men. Taupin had no obligation to write lyrics about King, and he didn’t – the song was inspired by the Philadelphia Soul sound of groups like The O’Jays and Melvin & The Blue Notes, and also the American bicentennial; in 1976 the US celebrated 200 years of independence.
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