Elton John and Alice In Chains are performing together at last! (Sadly, it's not for a "Rocket Man" vs. "Man in the Box" mash-up.) Guitarist Jerry Cantrell confirmed the British rock legend will play the piano on the band's new song "Black Gives Way to Blue," which will appear on the forthcoming album of the same name. The record (due out Sept. 29) is a tribute to the grunge group's late singer, Layne Staley, who died in 2002 of a drug overdose.

"I didn't think that would happen," Cantrell recalled of the collaboration with John. "He's a pretty busy guy doing his own thing. One of the most nerve-racking moments I had was actually making a suggestion to him. What do you say to Elton John? But he was really open to the process." [NME]