“Bennie and the Jets” – Elton John
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On this day in 1974, Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets” went to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The record also made it to #1 in Canada. John was initially opposed to its release as a single because he believed it would fail.
Before the song became a national hit in the US and Canada, it was given heavy airplay on a Top 40 radio station in Windsor, Ontario, and it soon rose to #1 in the Detroit market. Other radio stations in both countries took note and began playing the record, resulting in its rise to the top in the national charts.
“Bennie” was also a hit on the US R&B chart, making it to #15, and helped to expand John’s fan base. It also earned him a May 1975 guest appearance on Soul Train, where he performed the song along with another #1 hit, “Philadelphia Freedom”.
As a lifelong fan of soul/R&B music, John was especially proud of his song’s success on the R&B chart. He was also a big fan of the Soul Train TV show and said he and his band would frequently watch it while they were on tour.
On this day in 1974, Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets” went to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The record also made it to #1 in Canada. John was initially opposed to its release as a single because he believed it would fail.
Before the song became a national hit in the US and Canada, it was given heavy airplay on a Top 40 radio station in Windsor, Ontario, and it soon rose to #1 in the Detroit market. Other radio stations in both countries took note and began playing the record, resulting in its rise to the top in the national charts.
“Bennie” was also a hit on the US R&B chart, making it to #15, and helped to expand John’s fan base. It also earned him a May 1975 guest appearance on Soul Train, where he performed the song along with another #1 hit, “Philadelphia Freedom”.
As a lifelong fan of soul/R&B music, John was especially proud of his song’s success on the R&B chart. He was also a big fan of the Soul Train TV show and said he and his band would frequently watch it while they were on tour.
