Elton John Invites Greta Van Fleet to Jam at Annual Oscar Party
It's all part of the circle of life. Greta Van Fleet, whose members grew up hearing Elton John's music and watching The Lion King, will perform with him at the Rocket Man's annual fundraising Oscars viewing party on March 4.
John personally phoned the Michigan-based rock band -- whose Led Zeppelin-inspired sound has turned on many classic-rock artists -- to invite them to play at the event, which he has hosted to raise money for his AIDS foundation since 1993.
"I remember the moment," Greta Van Fleet guitarist Jake Kiszka recently told Loudwire. "It was about 10AM and management calls and says, 'Hey boys, you have a call coming from England in a little while.' So we pick up the phone [and he says,] 'Hey boys, it's Elton.' It was actually Elton John on the phone!
"He asked us if we wanted to play at his Oscar after party," said Kiszka, who along with his brothers and bandmates, was introduced to John's music through his mother. "I remember seeing The Lion King when I was really young and being affected by 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight.' I remember listening to Elton John in the car."
Unsurprisingly, "the first call I made [afterward] was to my mother," he added. "It was a great moment. We're bringing our mothers!"
Greta Van Fleet will reportedly play for about an hour, with John joining them for the last few songs. Though they're still working out the set list, Kiszka said they're "talking about" playing "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting." He noted that Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is "a great album. I was thinking songs from the self-titled album [from 1970]. That album was insane. I listened to it all the way through, it's an incredible listening experience."
The feeling is mutual, with John telling them. "It's the best rock 'n' roll I've heard in 20 fucking years!'"
With two EPs out, the band is currently at work on their debut album. They also recently announced a tour that kicks off in April at the annual Coachella music festival.