POP & ROCK

The highest buyer on the opening day of Elton John’s auction of personal artifacts in London was Warwick Stone--curator for the Hard Rock Cafe restaurant chain--a Los Angeles man who spent $126,000 on various items. The most expensive item he paid for ($16,600) was a pair of 14-inch-wide glasses that light up with Elton . “I think he’s one of the most important rock stars of the ‘70s and ‘80s,” Stone said Wednesday. “(There’s) not too many people around of his stature. Bowie jumps to mind, but Elton has always had more artifacts around him!” Stone plans to disburse the items among the Hard Rocks--including a cafe opening in Sydney next year. The running total for the auction of rock star Elton John’s castoff possessions has already soared past $6.2 million.