Elton John joined rock up-and-comer Ryan Adams on stage at New York’s Irving Plaza Wednesday (October 3) to perform a pair of songs. John took a seat at the piano to accompany Adams on the singer-songwriter’s “La Cienega Just Smiled” and then fronted the group for a version of his own classic, “Rocket Man.”
John and Adams have struck up a friendship in recent months-the pop/rock legend even thanked Adams for “inspir[ing] me to do better” in the liner notes of his new album, Songs From The West Coast. Meanwhile, Adams responded on the notes to his own new release, Gold, with the words, “Elton John you sweet sweet man.”
Others witnessing the concert, according to industry publication Hits, included Alanis Morissette, who Ryan thanked five times in the liner notes of Gold, as well as former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist (and occasional Adams collaborator) James Iha, Hole bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur, singer-songwriter Ben Lee and his actress girlfriend, Claire Danes.