Rush Limbaugh gets married, and Elton John is the wedding singer [poll] [updated]

Rush Limbaugh got married on Saturday night to Kathryn Rogers in Palm Beach, Fla., complete with 400 guests, no media, a high-flying shout-out from the folks at Gawker and music by Elton John.

Among the folks trading the worlds of politics and political commentary for the Ponce de Leon ballroom at the Breakers hotel: Karl Rove, Sean Hannity, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, James Carville and Mary Matalin.

Elton has been slammed by some over saying yes to Rush's offer -- the civil-partnered gay man who reportedly kept the hotel staff hopping is said to have hauled in a million bucks for his night's work at Limbaugh's fourth such celebration of nuptials. But before you clutch your pearls in shock ...

... over the whole affair, recall that John recently played in Morocco. He's also shared a stage with and is a friend of Eminem, a rapper not exactly campaigning loudly for gay rights. Perhaps conservative and liberal streams can indeed cross without creating a rip in the space-time continuum -- though further complicating the issue is the fact that the bride is a descendant of President John Adams, who was neither a Democrat nor a Republican, but a Federalist (not that that party helped one-term Adams much, what with Vice President Thomas Jefferson nipping at his heels and all).

~~ Seriously, though -- has anyone checked today to see if south Florida's still showing up in the usual spot on the GPS? ~~

[Updated at 4:09 p.m., June 7, 2010: An earlier version of this post referred to the singer twice as "married"; in fact, he and David Furnish are in a civil partnership. Elton in 2008 spoke out in favor of same-sex civil partnerships or unions rather than same-sex marriage.]

According to Zev Chafets, author of a new book about the radio host, Limbaugh "regards homosexuality as, most probably, biologically determined, and while he opposes gay marriage as culturally subversive, he has no problem with gay civil unions -- which is the stance of President Obama and Hillary Clinton. He drinks adult beverages, smokes cigars, and is not exactly a shining example of family values."

That last bit suggests a good time would've been had by all at the reception.

Limbaugh and Rogers, who met in 2004 at a charity golf tournament, had been dating for about three years. What, nobody's yelling about a guy who's 59 marrying a woman who's 33? At least John picked someone -- David Furnish -- only 15 years his junior.

Oh, wait -- it's South Florida, and Limbaugh's a little bit rich. Never mind.

Good luck to the newlyweds. 

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photos: Elton John, left, and Rush Limbaugh. Credits: Andy Kropa / Getty Images, left; Associated Press, right.

You never know what a wedding will bring -- but it's a sure thing that following the Ministry on Twitter (we're @LATcelebs) or liking us when you visit our Facebook page will get headlines delivered to you regularly, like that many little gifts off your celebrity gossip registry.

Comments

[Kathy T. Great]

Other: Who Cares?!!!

[Josh Venner]

Elton John is in a civil union/partnership, not a "marriage." I don't believe that the UK has legally changed marriage in that way. Elton has also stated in the past that he is against the concept of gay marriage, arguing for civil unions as the best compromise.
(http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-11-12-elton-john_N.htm)

[CDZ from the Ministry]

@Josh Venner -- Christie D'Zurilla here from the blog. Thanks for the catch. Watch for the post to be updated.

//cdz

[Cisco]

Big RAy...bwaahahahhhahaha.....listen to Rush???...hope you're being sarcastic because listening to anything Rush says is nothing but jokes...everyone it is best not to listen to Rush...Save America by not listening to Rush...Thank you...

[Johan]

I think that is is great that Rush Limbaugh can seperate Elton John the Gay activist with Elton John the Great Entertainer... why should someones sexuality disqualify someone from entertaining ...that should be a triumph for the gay community ... they can agree to disagree and be civil to one another..... good for both Rush and Elton

[James Power]

I agree that well-reasoned argument that only "liberals" care about people's politics when beacoup bucks are at hand.

I can't imagine conservatives saying a peep if Reba McEntire played at a wedding for Michael Moore (or his 2nd, 3rd, or 4th wedding). Or if Toby Keith played at a wedding for Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

It would be completely hypocritical of conservatives to complain about something like that, so it's ludicrous to even suggest it. Let's remember, conservatives are devoutly religious folks who follow Jesus’ teachings to the letter. “Hypocrisy” and “Conservatives” make no sense together.

[John Smith]

Rush Limbaugh has more innocent blood on his hands that Osama Bin Laden. I am destroying all of my Elton John albums tonight. What a sell out!

[TIM]

i've been listening for years to rush on the radio at work. people seem to forget that he is just a dis jockey talking about anything to boost ratings and his ego. family values he has none. he is just a blow hard conservative. he's about one thing, getting rich. is he happy 4th wife later should tell you something, it prove he doesn't know what he wants. there is a major difference between being christian and being a conservative. i figured him out a few months ago and he isn't the time of day. you demorats will get what you want come november. there are no jobs and no hope left in this country and when this president is through there will be no liberty either

[S. Button]

What is the big deal? Why can only like minded people associate? I love Elton John music but my social views do not coincide with his. I do not believe there is such a thing as gay marriage. The definition of marriage is a union between a man and a woman. So what. We can agree to disagree and still value what individuals bring to the table. No need to cast aspersions, call names and get ugly. I have gay friends and we can kid each other about right and left issues without getting nasty. WHy can't Rush and Elton. They both have tremendous talents and egos and I know Rush has a sense of humor. I suppose Elton does, also. Get a life.

[Rebecca Justice]

Did it occur to any of you Rush/Elton bashers that maybe Rush LIKES Elton's music? Us baby boomers grew up with Elton's music! I went to the Elton John/Billy Joel concert, it was fabulous! It was a wedding and a party. Sheesh. Rush does take days off you know...

[David Dill]

The guy sings for a living. He was hired to do a job. No one would give a liberal plumber grief for fixing a conservative's pipes. Grow up people.

[samuelclemmons]

I had heard that Rush was very musical, so I am not surprised at all. Of course Elton and Rush are strange bedfellows.

[Mary]

What difference does a persons' sexual orientation have to do with his vocal performance? Unless Elton was giving a discourse on gay marriage, his sexuality shoud be left aside. He was hired to entertain period.

[Michael Aaronson]

Once again another perfect illustration that the mother lode of hate is on the political left, not the political right.

[Edge]

I wish Rush and his new bride well. I wish Sir Elton and his love well also.

[barry]

Rush is a God. And Like all gods, he is the master of his universe. I think Rush exposes the horrible liberals and communists in our govenrment for who they are. Maybe you can have Obama sing at your 10th annerversary? I am sure he will be cheaper then Elton John by then!

[bruce]

it saddens me to see such hateful comments mostly from the liberal camp. i am a huge rush fan and an even bigger ej fan. i have met all his band members on various occasions and since 1979 have been to over 50 ej concerts. Why does it have to be political? ej has great music. liberals and conservatives all love it. he is an amazing songwriter piano player and performer and a fascinating person. as a conservative i disagree with most of ej's politics, but would still love to meet and know him. ej said in 1979 while touring the soviet union that music and sports bring people together. how true that is. 2 people who dont speak the same language can kick a ball around, music is universal. Rush loves sports too as does ej. i would love to see these guys agree to disagree! Limbaugh too is an amazing and generous man who gives much money to a variety of good causes. ej is a musician, music brings people together,reguardless of politics. ej writes i hope for all people , not just liberals or gays, most of his best music seems to come from a hetero perspective. someone saved my life tonight is a song about a girl he almost married! Ejs music is loved perhaps because his lyricist has mostly written from his own hetero perspective. Live and let live everyone. we need to get together to work things out. even if we never agree ej and rush prove that you dont have to see everything eye to eye! i think it is cool. Good job Rush and Good job Ej, i hope a friendship evolves!

[Jon C. Hopwood]

Rush Limbaugh, in addition to being a noted homophobe and gay basher, also has said that AIDS in Africa is a bunch of "hype." That Elton John, who has done good works in Africa with AIDS victims, could stoop to give his panache to this rough beast shows that he is little better than a prostitute. Is it a surprise when an entertainer is revealed to be simply a phony, or that a SoCal audience like the respondents to this poll who overwhelmingly voted that John's whorishness is cool are revealed to be ultra-shallow?

[linda doolittle]

If the brinde requested Elton John then what's all the fuss about??? Mr. Limbaugh is not a "gay basher"...he could care less...just listen in on his radio show once in a while and you get to know the man. The people making all this fuss...are just grabbing bits and pieces from different blogs and taking on opinions of others and calling them their own. Lame!! Best Wishes to Kathryn and Rush!!!

[Sue]

Why can't Rush have anyone he wants to entertain at his wedding? What's the big deal? I think the Liberals need to get a life and butt out.

[Charlene Bedford]

Congratulations Rush! Wishing you the best! As far as Elton goes, I wouldn't pay a penny to hear him sing anywhere.

[Aargh42]

I have a newfound respect for Elton John. Maybe he's a closet conservative. Go Elton! I'm sure there are more than we know in the liberal entrenched elitist world of entertainment.

[Mike]

Ive seen elton john in concert twice and spend good money , not anymore He was entertained at that dirtbag wedding forget him

[poppy]

What a sell-out! I'll never buy another one of your records.

[C V]

Elton John is a performer--he's paid to perform--no matter the venue! And why shouldn't he and Rush be friendly? Rush is a performer as well! They have lots in common! Because Rush (and I for different reasons than Rush) don't support gay marriage, doesn't mean we are homophobes...although in the culture we live in, that is usually the acusation...
I am an avid Rush listener and defender. I have no problem defending his bravado or even his drug use--but this marriage! It may do me in--this is his third or fourth marriage to a woman 26 years younger???? Come on, Rush--how can a man so smart be so dumb?