Elton John backs Roddick foundation with Texas gig

A day after announcing plans to marry his long-time partner, Elton John performed just a short distance from the Texas Capitol, where legislators are working to put a gay marriage ban in the state constitution.

He performed at a fundraiser for tennis star Andy Roddick’s charitable foundation, with Republican Governor Rick Perry also in attendance.

In an interview, Sir Elton would not discuss personal matters, including Monday’s reports that he planned to marry David Furnish, his partner of 11 years, later this year.

The same day as his marriage announcement, the Texas House of Representatives approved a constitutional ban on gay marriage. State law already bans gay marriage from being recognised.

Sir Elton, a long-time tennis fan, and Roddick said they became friends talking about the sport and as doubles partners at another charity fundraiser. But the two have never faced each other on the tennis court.

“I don’t want to face that serve, thank you very much,” Sir Elton joked.

He said he didn’t think twice when Roddick invited him to attend the event.

“Austin is my favourite Texas city because it’s so green,” he said. “It’s a fun town. It’s a great music town, always has been. If I was going to live in Texas this is where I’d live.”

The fundraiser marks the first expansion of the Florida-based Andy Roddick Foundation into Texas.

The organisation has raised $1.5m (€1.16m) for at-risk children since Roddick, a 22-year-old Austin resident, started the foundation at 18.

“That’s pretty amazing, to be so young and want to give back at such an early age,” Sir Elton said. “It really impressed me. Someone who does that and wants to give back is really worth supporting.

“It’s only fair that I support Andy, because what he’s doing is great anyway.”