Sir Elton John says he would love to collaborate with a New Zealand singer since there's "so much" talent here.
The music legend revealed on The Project he's keen to work with Lorde, Benee, and the many Kiwi artists who have appeared on his Apple Music show 'Rocket Hour'.
His upcoming album 'The Lockdown Sessions', which was recorded during the last 18 months of the pandemic, features collaborations with Stevie Nicks, Dua Lipa, Lil Nas X, Nicki Minaj, and many more. But COVID-19 and New Zealand's distance from him made it logistically impossible to have Kiwis on this album.
"But there are so many [I'd love to work with]. Benee I love very much and very many other New Zealand artists that I've actually had on my show and interviewed on my show," Sir Elton tells The Project.
"There are so many great New Zealand acts to do stuff with. I would always love to do stuff with Lorde, obviously, but it was impossible."
He finds collaborating with artists a chance to learn something new, especially when it comes to young artists.
"In my brain, I know all the old stuff, but when I hear something incredible, like when the first Lorde record came out, 'Royals', it was like, 'how did you do this? You're 16,'" he says.
"When I was 16, I was at school. How on Earth could you do that?
"It's so inspiring to hear these people. People like Lorde have been so inspiring, and Six60, I met them when they came over to Sydney to do my radio show, and you've got Benee who was also on my show, and you've got other artists down there that do so well."
The 'Rocketman' hitmaker also talked about being too ill to finish his Auckland show in 2020, saying he "hates letting people down".
"The ambulance guys were there and I was determined to get back out there for the second set," Sir Elton says.
"David, my manager, said 'You're not going on,' and I said, 'Yes I am.'
"I got through 'Love Lies Bleeding' and 'Burn Down The Mission,' and then 'Daniel' - nothing came out of my throat."
But he says he intends to return to New Zealand in 2022 or 2023 to say thank you and give a farewell.
"New Zealand's always been a place that I've loved visiting, the fans have been so loyal, I just love the place."
Watch his full interview on The Project above.
