Is "Tiny Dancer" a partial rip-off of "River Song"?

[busy doin nothin]

The first time I ever heard "River Song" (which I truly love) I was immediately struck by the similarity between its piano opening and that of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer."  Since the latter came out in 1971 and POB in 1977, my assumption was that Dennis had "borrowed" or been inspired by the Elton John recording.  Then I recently read that Dennis had completed the "River Song" opening in 1970, which made me wonder -- did the ripping-off go in the other direction?  Elton John hung out and toured some with the Beach Boys in the early 70s, didn't he?  Does anyone know anything about this?

[NimrodsSon]

I think it was more like 1972 or so when Dennis did the first part of River Song, but I could be wrong.

[forgetemarie]

It wouldn't surprise me.  John's "Daniel" sounds a lot like, of all things, Paul Anka's "You're Having My Baby," right down to the mellotron sound.  If he's steal from a bad Paul Anka song, I'm sure he might be inspired by Dennis.

[busy doin nothin]

I think it was more like 1972 or so when Dennis did the first part of River Song, but I could be wrong.

My source for the 1970 date is Andrew G. Doe, who says "The opening piano riff, representing the flow of the river, dates back to the 1970 sessions."  http://www.angelfire.com/la/Beachboysbritain/AGDPOB.html

[Andrew G. Doe]

I think it was more like 1972 or so when Dennis did the first part of River Song, but I could be wrong.

My source for the 1970 date is Andrew G. Doe, who says "The opening piano riff, representing the flow of the river, dates back to the 1970 sessions."  http://www.angelfire.com/la/Beachboysbritain/AGDPOB.html

Correct - it was part of a longer piece called "Ecology". The piano riff definitely pre-dated "Tiny Dancer". That said, I think the similarity is purely coincidental.