Taylor Swift is ‘technically bigger than THE BEATLES and THE ROLLING STONES combined’, according to Joe Elliott.
Sixteen years ago, DEF LEPPARD collaborated with a teen Taylor Swift for an episode of CMT’s “Crossroads”. Taylor was a country music superstar whose songs were just beginning to gain popularity in the mainstream world. In a new
interview with the Los Angeles Times, DEF LEPPARD vocalist Joe Elliott reflected on working with the then-18-
year-old celebrity. When asked if he could predict where Taylor would go in 2008, Joe answered, “I don’t think anyone could. Looking at it now, it makes sense. But if you think back,
In 2008, there was no such thing as her accomplishments. Those who witnessed the arrival of THE BEATLES and THE [ROLLING] STONES will likely say, “Wait a minute…” However, for people born this century or in the 1990s, this is a new phenomenon—technically bigger than THE BEATLES and THE STONES combined, at least
commercially. She sells an insane amount of tickets. But I knew she would be large. And despite all of the difficulties she’s faced, including people who have tried to trip her up at various points in her career, she has simply dusted herself off. She’s an excellent role model for a generation of children.”
Elliott was dressed in a black Taylor Swift T-shirt for the Los Angeles Times interview, a keepsake from the “Eras” tour stop in Dublin, where he introduced his eight-year-old daughter to the pop sensation. “It was a very magical moment,” Elliott told me, “and I will be forever be grateful to Taylor for making Daddy look cool for a couple of days.”
Elliott previously spoke about DEF LEPPARD’s collaboration with Swift in April. At the time, he told Japanese music critic and radio personality Masa Ito about TVK’s “Rock City”: “It’s a strange thing.” My children, aged 14, 7, and 4, have never seen me with Taylor Swift. And I told them. They did not believe me. [Laughs] Because my children are Swift fans. And kids couldn’t believe papa had sang with Taylor Swift. So I had to take out the DVD and put it on. And they were exactly like this. [opens his mouth wide]
Leave a Reply