Elton John made his big appearance on TV’sSoul Train 45 years ago this Sunday (May 17th, 1975), becoming the first white performer to play on the syndicated TV show.
Elton’s classic "Bennie and the Jets" was embraced by R&B radio, especially in Detroit.
Elton says,"I had two other number-one R&B records with 'Philadelphia Freedom' and 'Mama Can't Buy You Love,' and I won the affection of the black community in music in America. So, 'Bennie and the Jets,' I said, 'Okay.' But I always remember saying halfheartedly, 'Put it out at your peril,' and of course it was a number-one single and it broke the album [Goodbye Yellow Brick Road] out. That was the record that really broke the album."