Elton John is calling on rock's new stars to smarten up their image because he's sick of seeing tattoos and rags. The singer fears style is being ignored by the current crop of rockers and he urges new acts to look at how he and his peers dressed back in the 1960s and 1970s for inspiration.

Elton, who will curate and perform at the third "Fashion Rocks" concert in New York next month, says, "It's been a thing the British have always been very good at, with (David) Bowie, myself, T.Rex, The Who, Queen. We all embraced that (fashion) side of it. I think it's good that some American bands are beginning to do that, but it's still very rare for bands to make a real effort.

"So, when you get groups like The Killers and Scissor Sisters who come along, it's thrilling. I'm so over the tattoos and the T-shirts and rings through the noses. It's not pretty, it's not pleasant, it's not exciting. Please stop it now."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)