Just as the world's finest classical musicians pay tribute to works by Stravinsky, Mozart, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff, Tom Cridland has devoted himself to celebrating the artistic legacy of Sir Elton Hercules John and his longterm bandmates, Nigel Olsson, Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray and Ray Cooper, through his live performances of Tom's Elton Tribute.
Tom plays all of Elton John's best loved classic hits, album tracks, deep cuts and fan favourites, including Bennie and the Jets, Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, Candle In The Wind, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, I’m Still Standing, Crocodile Rock and Your Song.
Defiantly old school, Tom's Elton Tribute puts the music first, with extraordinary attention to detail. In contrast to most of the modern day industry, Tom always plays 100% live, with no backing tracks or lip-syncing at all. Indeed as Elton himself put it, "I think everyone who lip-syncs on stage in public when you pay like 75 quid to see them should be shot".
Tom's music career has thus far encompassed over 300 live dates, including shows at iconic venues including O2 City Hall Newcastle, St David's Hall, Plymouth Pavilions, G Live, The Anvil, Sheffield City Hall, The Troubadour and McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre. In late 2021 Tom toured the UK with legendary American soul group, The Stylistics, performing with them at 19 shows.
Tom does not dress like a tribute act. He wears bespoke, rhinestone encrusted suits, hand embroidered with imagery from Elton John and Bernie Taupin songs. Tom’s shoes are custom made to match the metallic leather oxfords and brogues made for Elton John by Patrick Cox for his Million Dollar Piano residency in Las Vegas. Tom has sourced glasses from Gucci and l.a. eyeworks which, apart from Tom, are only owned by Elton himself.
Tom is campaigning for Nigel Olsson, Davey Johnstone, the late, great Dee Murray and Ray Cooper to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You can read more about Tom's friendship with Nigel Olsson here and listen to episodes of Tom's Greatest Music of All Time Podcast featuring Nigel and Davey Johnstone.