Elton John has been hospitalized for a serious respiratory infection ... and it has temporarily derailed his concerts ... TMZ has learned.

Elton checked into Cedars-Sinai Hospital in L.A. at 6 AM Wednesday.  John underwent a battery of tests, after which the doctors recommended that he NOT perform for 7 days.  He was told he needed "complete rest and antibiotic treatment to prevent damage."

The singer had to cancel 4 concerts scheduled this weekend in Las Vegas.

Elton tells TMZ, "It feels strange not to be able to perform these 'Million Dollar Piano' concerts at the Colosseum ... I love performing the show and I will be thrilled when we return to the Colosseum in October to complete the 11 concerts."

Elton added, "All I can say to the fans is 'sorry I can't be with you."

It appears Elton has been released from the hospital.

Looking like father and son, music legend Sir Elton John and teen pop prince Justin Bieber both rocked red Sally Jessy Raphael specs this week.

Everything old is new again.

We're just sayin'.

Elton John is a no good dirty lyric stealer -- at least according to a self-proclaimed "award-winning" photojournalist and songwriter, who claims Elton coldheartedly ripped off the lyrics to the hit song "Nikita."

The man behind the accusations -- named Guy Hobbs -- filed the lawsuit in Illinois federal court, claiming he wrote a song called "Natasha" back in 1982 based on his affair with a Russian cruise ship waitress ... and three years later, Elton jacked his idea.

According to the lawsuit, Guy copyrighted the song and circulated the lyrics to multiple publishing companies -- including Big Pig, which solely publishes Elton John songs -- but he never heard back.

In 1985, Elton John released "Nikita" -- and Guy claims the lyrics bear "significant similarities" to "Natasha" ... even though "Nikita" is about a GERMAN female border guard. Hobbs doesn't specify exactly which lyrics were allegedly stolen.

Now, nearly 30 years later, Guy is suing for copyright infringement -- demanding unspecified damages.

As for what took him so long to sue -- Guy says he's been living in Africa since 1984 ... and news travels slow over there.



7:17 AM PDT -- A rep for Elton and Bernie have released a statement ... saying they "do not know the plaintiff, nor did they make use of any song lyrics he claims to have written when they wrote 'Nikita.'"

The rep continues, "In short, the suit is completely meritless. The fact that Hobbs has chosen to wait more than 26 years after the release of "Nikita" to bring this lawsuit calls his motives into question. Sir Elton John and Mr. Taupin fully expect to prevail against this baseless claim."

While performing at a benefit concert at NYC last night, Sir Elton John got very hands on ... with Channing Tatum's talented ass.

Looking like Liza Minnelli in "Cabaret," a sleeveless Tatum backed his thang up into Elton's eager hand at the Revlon Concert for the Rainforest Fund at Carnegie Hall.

Elton gives new meaning to the term tickling the ivories.

Elton John had a crappy weekend ... a very crappy weekend ... because the Rocket Man came down with a nasty case of food poisoning ... TMZ has learned.

E.J. was supposed to perform at Caesars Palace in Vegas this past Friday and Saturday night ... but the singer had to back out when something he ate ... backfired.

Elton's rep tells us John is doing "much better now" ... and will be ready to go in time for his next concert later this week .... in Guadalajara, Mexico.

We're guessin' he'll bring his own water.

Elton John's hubby David Furnish -- the guy who BLASTED Madonna after the Golden Globes -- tells TMZ ... there's NO WAY IN HELL he'll watch her Super Bowl halftime show.

It seems like another OBVIOUS diss aimed at the Material Girl ... but Furnish, who was leaving Red O restaurant in L.A., insists it's nothing personal ... he just doesn't watch football ... or anything football related.

Suuuuuuure.

In case you forgot ... Furnish labeled Madge as a "desperate" narcissist after she beat out Elton for Best Song at the Globes a few weeks ago. He later backed off the statement ... but never really apologized.

So ... is anyone actually buyin' what Furnish is selling ... that he won't be watching the biggest TV event of the year? Or is this yet ANOTHER attack in the cattiest feud in Hollywood?

Elton John's husband is kinda, sorta backing off his anti-Madonna campaign ... issuing a quasi-explanation for trashing the singer after the Golden Globes ... but not exactly apologizing.

David Furnish -- who called Madge "desperate" and narcissistic when she beat out Elton for Best Original Song -- went back to his Facebook page today and wrote, "Wow!  What a tempest in a teapot.  My passion for our film 'Gnomeo & Juliet' and belief in Elton's song really got my emotional juices going."

He added, "But I must say for the record that I do believe Madonna is a great artist, and that Elton and I wish her all the best for next week's premiere of the film 'W.E.'"

Suuuuuure.

It's clearly not an apology -- so, why issue the statement? Your comments ...

Elton John's husband David Furnish LASHED OUT at Madonna following her victory speech at the Golden Globes last night ... saying it was "embarrassing in its narcissism."

Moments after Madge won the statue for Best Original Song, Furnish went to his Facebook page and WENT OFF ... writing, "Madonna. Best song???? F**k off!!!"

For the record -- Elton was nominated in the same category and seemed pissed off in the crowd when Madonna's name was read.

But David continued on Facebook ... writing, "Madonna winning Best Original Song truly shows how these awards have nothing to do with merit. Her acceptance speech was embarrassing in it's narcissism. And her critisism of Gaga shows how desperate she really is."

Elton seemed particularly bitter towards Madonna BEFORE the awards ... telling one reporter on the red carpet he believed Madge had no "f**kin' chance" of emerging victorious.

Elton John went OFF on a female photographer (not ours, luckily) -- calling her the biggest no-no word of them all ... and we're pretty confident she didn't deserve it.



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Give a glance at the following photos and see if you are skilled enough to spot the subtle differences!

Here's Elton John wearing an interesting earring at an event in London the other day (left) -- and "Weakest Link" host Anne Robinson back in 2001 (right).



One of them is a Sir.

We're just sayin'.