Elton John

''I wrote him an e-mail and explained what his music meant to us, and that this song was for [late AIC frontman Layne Staley]. We sent him a demo, and he said it was beautiful and he'd love to play on it. In the studio he was really relaxed and gracious, and he's got a great sense of humor. We were just trying to be cool: 'Oh, yeah, no big deal.' But we were excited. [Drummer Sean Kinney] and I had to walk out a couple of times to smoke cigarettes, like, 'Holy s -- -, this is killer.' It's one of those highlights you can't expect in life, and you're lucky to get them once in a while. And that is one.''