People News

Elton John offering Sheeran US advice

Feb 13, 2012, 6:02 GMT

Sir Elton John

Ed Sheeran is getting advice from Sir Elton John about how to break the US market.

The 20-year-old singer - whose YouTube videos have been viewed 63 million times - admits he was shocked to receive a call from the 'Rocket Man' hitmaker, who is now offering him words of wisdom about where to take his career.

He said: 'I was in a car coming back from the studio and I got a call, 'Hi, it's Elton.' It was just mad, because I grew up listening to his music.

'He buys every single release and knows about everyone. He was telling me how fantastic he thinks Dot Rotten is and how Devlin is such a fine lyricist. I couldn't believe it.

'Elton has done it all, he's been there, done that and got the t-shirt. He advises me on which single to release next and how the album should play. Now he's giving me advice on how to break America, which is amazing, as he's someone who knows what it is to break America.'

However, he admits his unique look and sound has not always made it easy for him.

He added to Live magazine: 'It was a hard sell for the major labels. Here's a ginger kid who raps with a guitar. That's not a good start.'