Patti LaBelle and Elton John have quite a history together. He first backed her on piano when he was with Bluesology, years before he was “Elton John,” and the two later recorded together in the ‘00s. Yet, when recently asked what the first story that comes to mind when she hears John’s name, LaBelle had a clear answer: the time he stole her Tupperware.
LaBelle detailed the incident in an appearance on Sherri, explaining that it occurred when she was performing in London in the ‘60s with Bluesology as her backing band. She invited the musicians over to her place to play cards — including a young John, then still named Reginald Dwightt — and upon winning, she took “all their pounds, all their money,” not even leaving them with enough to buy food.
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So, LaBalle did the nice thing, and “made them food to take home,” but she unknowingly made a mistake packing it up in her personal Tupperware and shopping bags. “So, I gave them some food to take back home, and they never paid me back!” she said.
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For LaBelle, this leftover larceny was an unforgettable offense. “My Tupperware is very important to me. I don’t give it out,” she lamented, recalling that she later spoke with John and informed him “’I want my durn Tupperware!’”
But John never delivered… at least not with the Tupperware. He did, however, make it up to LaBelle years later, when the two collaborated on LaBelle’s 2005 cover of “Your Song” for her Classic Moments album.
During a joint performance around that time, John was at the piano and he “took his rings off and put them on the piano,” LaBelle said. “When we finished, I said, ‘Elton, there’s your ring.’ He said, ‘That’s your Tupperware.’” In LaBelle’s words, the ring was “beautiful,” and she still has it to this day.
Indeed, a video exists from that time that seemingly captures the moment — John is seen taking off a massive, blingy ring and putting it on LaBelle’s finger. She then makes several shocked faces, as if he had just told her it was hers to keep, and she gleefully shows it off to the camera. Knowing the story behind the exchange, the sight and LaBelle’s expressions are honestly hilarious. Check them out at the 1:23 mark of the video below.
Meanwhile, LaBelle and John are both going strong creatively, and each have upcoming endeavors. John will release his joint album with Brandi Carlile, Who Believes in Angels?, this Friday, April 4th. The two will then appear on Saturday Night Live the following day.
As for LaBelle, she will hit the road this summer for “The Queens” tour with Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, and Stephanie Mills, kicking off in May and stopping in Las Vegas, Nashville, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, and more cities. Get tickets here.
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