Far be it for me to call anyone lazy (I have a couple of editors who'd like to introduce me to the concept of a met deadline), but while it's certainly excellent that the Library of Congress is honoring Stevie Wonder with its second Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, please note that the first winner, from last year, was Paul Simon. Perhaps it's a coincidence that Simon, in accepting his Album of the Year Grammy Award in 1976, for
Still Crazy After All These Years, thanked Stevie Wonder for "not making a record this year," but both men dominated the Grammys during the '70s. Simon nabbed AOTY twice, in 1971 (for Simon & Garfunkel's
Bridge Over Troubled Water) and '76, as well as being nominated in 1974 for
There Goes Rhymin' Simon. And of course Stevie won three times: 1974 (
Innervisions), 1975 (
Fulfillingness' First Finale), and 1977 (
Songs in the Key of Life). What, then, might this mean in terms of future Gershwin Prizes? Let's take a look.
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Idolator
In news that will send many an ex-drama club member's heart a-flutter, Elton John announced on The View this morning that his world tour with fellow ivory-tinkler Billy Joel, which begins in March, will last for "at least" two years. Think of it as a recession special: "It’s two people for the price of one," Sir Elton told ABC's class in chattering. "Our ticket prices are the same as you’d see anyone else, but there’s two of us. In this day and age, we hope to be getting people value for their money." Now that is a message that anyone can get behind! After the jump, a few Joel/John collaborations from years past. (Hey, I got over denying my roots this summer, you know?)
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