King Charles and Elton John share radio show on 78th birthday
King Charles joined Elton John on his radio show to mark his 78th birthday. The pair picked 14 songs and traded jokes about growing older.
LONDON, Nov 14 – King Charles and Elton John joked about the trials of getting older as the two joined forces for a special radio show to mark the monarch’s 78th birthday on Saturday.
The King appeared on Elton John’s regular Rocket Hour show on Apple Music. Together, the pair picked 14 songs, and the King shared some of his favorite musical memories.
The show also marked the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust, the youth charity he founded in 1976. It highlighted the many musicians who have helped the charity over the years.
The episode was recorded last month at Apple Music’s studios in south London. It aired for the first time on Saturday morning.
One of the King’s picks was Elton John’s own hit “I’m Still Standing.” He said he loved the song for its message of resilience.
“The Trust and we are definitely still standing,” the King said.
Elton John, who is 79, was quick to reply. “I’m still sitting now, though,” he said, with a big laugh.
The King chuckled and played along. He said bits of you start to drop off here and there, and called it a terrible problem as you get older.
The song carries special meaning for the two men. Elton John performed it at Wembley Arena in 1986, at a concert to mark the charity’s 10th anniversary.
The King said no one who was there that night could forget the performance. He said people in all kinds of situations find the song inspiring, and that 40 years on, both he and the Trust were still going strong.
The King also chose “Giant” by Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man. He told Elton John that the song sums up his charity, because it’s about finding strength through other people.
Other picks included Bob Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody” and Muse’s “Feeling Good.” The pair also chose “Wine into Water” by Nectar Woode, which features Elton John on piano.
At one point, Elton John asked the King to pick a song that meant a great deal to him.
The King said nothing more meaningful than love. He then recalled Paul McCartney’s 2002 performance of the Beatles’ 1967 hit, “All You Need Is Love.”
That concert, called the Party at the Palace, was held to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. The King said he would never forget the magic of the night.
He remembered McCartney being joined by Rod Stewart and Joe Cocker, with Phil Collins on drums and Brian May and Eric Clapton on guitar. He called it a timeless song with a timeless message.
The show opened with Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.”
The King described the late singer as an electrifying character. He noted that after she died in 2023, the guard at Buckingham Palace played her hit “Simply the Best” in her honor.
He said he hoped it was a small way of thanking her for performing at his charity events and for the joy she brought to millions of people.
The rest of the playlist included Rod Stewart’s “Handbags and Gladrags,” Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” and Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open the Door.” It also featured “Joy” by the British singer Raye.
The King and Elton John have crossed paths at charity events many times over the decades. In 2000, the pair met again at Party in the Park, where Elton John performed with the Backstreet Boys.
The King’s Trust was set up to help young people who face hardship gain skills, find work and start businesses. It has since grown into one of Britain’s best-known youth charities.
The King turned 78 on Saturday.
