UK:ELTON JOHN RECORDS A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, "CANDLE IN THE WIND", AFTER SINGING THE REWRITTEN HIT AT HER FUNERAL

Record ID: 387192

  • Title: UK:ELTON JOHN RECORDS A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, "CANDLE IN THE WIND", AFTER SINGING THE REWRITTEN HIT AT HER FUNERAL
  • Date: 6th September 1997
  • Summary: DENE (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) SAYING, "THE PHONES WERE RED HOT, PEOPLE REQUESTING SPECIAL SONGS, THE FAX MACHINES, THE MAIL COMING IN, IT WAS LIKE A FAMILY BEREAVEMENT TO THEM AND I THINK IT STILL IS. YOU KNOW, IF YOU'VE LOST SOMEONE IN YOUR OWN FAMILY JUST BECAUSE THE FUNERAL IS OVER, IT DOESN'T MEAN TO SAY YOU FORGET BUT I SUPPOSE WE FELT ON MONDAY THAT WE'VE GOT TO START
  • Embargoed: 21st September 1997 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment,Royalty
  • Reuters ID: LVA7WZSW88DW6IK58UZ2S88ID0IQ
  • Story Text: Elton John's reworking of his 1974 hit "Candle In The Wind" in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, looks set to become the biggest-selling single of all time -- and it's not even out yet.

    Elton sang a re-worded version of the song at the Westminster Abbey funeral of his friend on Saturday (September 6).

    The singer admitted he was nervous when he started singing at the service, which was broadcast throughout the world.

    The new version of "Candle in the Wind" was recorded shortly after Diana's funeral and is being tipped to surpass sales of the Live Aid record "Do They Know It's Christmas", which is currently the biggest-selling single in Britain at over 3.6 million copies.

    The biggest worldwide seller is Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" with more than 30 million copies sold.

    Thousands of CD's of Elton's song were being pressed this week at a factory in the north of England.

    At least 200,000 copies of the song will be in the shops by the time it goes on sale on Saturday.

    London radio stations were swamped with callers requesting they play the song following Diana's funeral. Virgin radio DJ Graham Dene, who knew the Princess, said phones and faxes rang hot with pleas for "Candle in the Wind" to be repeated.

    The new version of "Candle In The Wind" will be released by Elton's Rocket Records label, a subsidiary of Mercury.

    All proceeds from the sale will go to a memorial fund set up in the princess's name following her death on August 31.

    Elton recorded the new version of the song with Sir George Martin, the man responsible for producing the best of the Beatles songs.
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