Last updated 11:50, Friday, 11 April 2008

SIR Elton John helped raise more than £1m for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton with a concert in New York.

Former president Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea joined the former first lady for the gig at New York’s Radio City Music Hall last night.

The event, Elton and Hillary: One Night Only, was Sir Elton’s first public solo concert in New York City without his band since his solo concert at Madison Square Garden in October 2000.

The benefit concert raised 2.5 million dollars (£1.25m) for Mrs Clinton’s presidential campaign.

The 61-year-old English singer, composer and pianist told the crowd: “I’ve always been a Hillary supporter. There is no one more qualified to lead America.

“I’m amazed by the misogynistic attitudes of some of the people in this country. And I say to hell with them... I love you Hillary, I’ll be there for you.”

He then launched into his 1970 breakthrough hits, Your Song and Border Song.

Mrs Clinton struck a defiant, underdog note as she said: “I’m still standing”.described her battle against Democratic rival Barack Obama when she took to the stage.“What I want you to know is I’m still standing, and I believe this country is worth fighting for,” the New York senator said, playing off the title of one of Sir Elton’s hits.“So we’re taking our campaign to Pennsylvania and all the states that haven’t voted.”Pennsylvania, which votes on April 22, is the next primary election in the race for the Democratic party’s presidential nomination.Mrs Clinton leads Mr Obama in Pennsylvania polls, despite the young Illinois senator having the support of more delegates overall.The Clintons have often appeared with Hollywood and music industry figures over the yearsLast October, the former first lady held a star-studded fundraiser to celebrate her 60th birthday.Comedian Billy Crystal and rockers Elvis Costello and the Wallflowers headlined the event at New York’s historic Beacon Theatre, which raked in more than 1.5 million dollars (£0.75m) for the New York senator’s presidential bid.And in 1998, Sir Elton performed at a White House State Dinner the couple hosted for then-prime minister Tony Blair.The cheapest tickets, 125 dollars (£62) and 250 dollars (£124) sold out quickly, campaign aides said.Tickets for the other seats sold for up to 2,300 dollars (£1,150), the limit for an individual’s contribution to a federal candidate.end