RECORD STORE DAY HONORS ELTON

Vinyl fanatic Elton John has been named the first Record Store Day Legend. Besides the coronation, his live album known as 11-17-70 in the States—17.11.70 in the U.K.—will receive a special release from Mercury/Universal under the British title on 4/22 with six bonus tracks.

The stereo radio broadcast performed live at A&R Recording Studios in New York City for an audience of about 100 people, was released in April 1971 after it was heavily bootlegged. The new version includes previously unreleased tracks “Indian Sunset,” “Your Song,” “Country Comfort,” “I Need You To Turn To,” “Border Song” and “My Father’s Gun” plus a newly remixed version of “Amoreena.”

In a new video, Elton talks about selling his vinyl collection in 1990, raising $250K for his foundation. About two years ago he started buying LPs again and estimates his collection is now up to 70K titles. He’s a big fan of Wax Trax in Las Vegas and Rough Trade in London; his last purchase was Kanye West’s Pablo. He also talks about his lifelong love for record stores.