Elton John is worried for the future of music venues around the world, and one of Los Angeles' most legendary music clubs, in particular.
The Troubadour was the venue where John played his first-ever U.S. concert in August of 1970 — a moment depicted in his Rocketman biopic. The space The Troubadour provides also helped launch thousands of other great artists.
Asked about the venue in a recent interview with BBC Radio 6 Music, John acknowledged that he's concerned.
"I've heard that it might be closing, but I think it's going to be okay," he said. "We have to preserve venues like this."
Just a few days removed from the 50th anniversary of his seminal U.S. concert, John added that he has "made a few phone calls" on The Troubadour's behalf.
"If venues like that disappear, then it's really grim stuff because they are so important for new people to go, and I've seen so many new acts there that have come from Britain," he said. "It's a great launch pad. It's a great room. It has atmosphere. It has everything going for it. If you can't play well at the Troubadour, you can't play well anywhere."
But there are many other rooms like the Troubadour around the world. John says it is "absolutely vital" that those venues survive the pandemic shutdowns.
"The small venues are the life and soul of music, and they have to be kept afloat some way or another," he said.
In July, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced the 'Save Our Stages Act' to Congress. The bill is intended to provide relief to music and entertainment venues struggling due to the pandemic shutdowns.
'Save Our Stages' proposes $10 billion to help small venues make it through the next six months through a series of grants that can be used by venues to cover rent, utilities, mortgages, maintenance and other costs, as well as expenses that would allow venues to meet CDC-recommended COVID safety guidelines when they reopen.
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