Paying tribute to his piano-playing idol Leon Russell, Elton John opened the Tribeca Film Festival with a free outdoor performance and film premiere about the making of his album, The Union (left).
The 64-year-old British singer belted out six songs, including several that appeared on the 2010 critically acclaimed album he collaborated on with Russell.
The opening night documentary, also called The Union, by director Cameron Crowe, was shown to an audience of several thousand people in the downtown area of Manhattan.
"He's got the accolades that he deserves and I am so proud of him," John told the crowd before playing two songs, including Never Too Old (to Hold Somebody), which he made with Russell, whose musical abilities as a composer and piano player inspired John before he became a hit-making world sensation.
The 64-year-old British singer belted out six songs, including several that appeared on the 2010 critically acclaimed album he collaborated on with Russell.
The opening night documentary, also called The Union, by director Cameron Crowe, was shown to an audience of several thousand people in the downtown area of Manhattan.
"He's got the accolades that he deserves and I am so proud of him," John told the crowd before playing two songs, including Never Too Old (to Hold Somebody), which he made with Russell, whose musical abilities as a composer and piano player inspired John before he became a hit-making world sensation.
