King Charles marked his 78th birthday on Saturday by appearing on Elton John’s Rocket Hour to trade jokes about ageing and curate a 14-track musical playlist celebrating the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust.
The monarch joined Sir Elton, 79, for a special recorded episode of the Apple Radio show to reflect on five decades of the youth charity, The Guardian reported. The conversation spanned musical memories from the past half-century, featuring tracks from artists associated with the organization.
King Charles Reminisces About Elton John's 1986 Performance
Reminiscing about Sir Elton performing his hit song at a Rock Gala in 1986 to mark the charity’s 10th anniversary, the King said no one present could possibly forget it.
“And certainly, 40 years on from that remarkable concert, we and the trust are definitely still standing.”
said King Charles, according to The Guardian. John joked in reply: “I’m still sitting now, though,” BBC News reported.
The monarch chuckled and continued: “With occasional bits dropping off here and there. I know this is a terrible problem as we get older.” BBC News said that the special was recorded last month at Apple Music Studios in south London.
Reflecting on the collaboration, the King told BBC News that appearing on the show was “an opportunity too good to resist.”
Eclectic Playlist Choices
The 14 songs selected for the broadcast highlighted various connections to the trust established in 1976. Among the tracks chosen was Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man’s 2019 dance number Giant. The King stated the track exemplified the spirit of standing on the shoulders of giants to draw strength from those who came before.
Another selection, In the Air Tonight, paid tribute to Phil Collins. The monarch called Collins a “tremendous” trust supporter and noted his satisfaction that Collins was being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
Rod Stewart’s rendition of Handbags and Gladrags also featured on the list. The King praised the “totally unstoppable” Stewart and highlighted the Stereophonics, who started their career with help from the trust.
Recalling the organization’s roots in providing young people with their first opportunities, the monarch remembered how a group then known as Rocket Baby Dolls received a small grant in 1994 to buy audio equipment. That group later became Muse, one of the biggest stadium bands in the world, whose version of Feeling Good was included in the playlist.
For a song found “extremely meaningful,” the King chose All You Need Is Love by the Beatles. He recalled witnessing a performance of the track for his late mother’s Golden Jubilee at the Party at the Palace concert.
Sir Elton’s own choices included Elvis Presley’s Hound Dog. He revealed that hearing the record set him on the path to his career.
The full playlist features tracks from Muse, Raye, Skye Newman, Tina Turner, Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man, Phil Collins, Elton John, Rod Stewart, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Lenny Kravitz, Pete Townshend, and Nectar Woode.
