Elton John News from Crazy Water

Sir Elton John 'Requests Helicopter Pad For New Years Eve Gig' - GIGWISE

At the O2 Arena...

* by Jason Gregory
* Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Sir Elton John has requested a helicopter pad for his New Years Eve concert at London’s O2 Arena.

The singer is apparently keen to arrive at the venue “in style” from his country home.

“Elton hasn't requested anything outrageous, all he's asked for is a helipad - he simply wasn't up for getting the Tube,” a source told the Mirror newspaper.

From the movie "Australia" come a new Elton track called "The Drover's Ballad" which is available for purchase on iTunes...

Joel, John Tour Tickets Selling Briskly

December 19, 2008 11:44 AM ET

In a positive sign for the 2009 touring season, sales for the upcoming Billy Joel/Elton John co-headlining tour are "through the roof," according to Wilson Howard, president, Live Nation Music Southeast, who calls the tour "a smash."

The configuration for the upcoming tour, which begins March 2 in Jacksonville, Fla., is 360 degrees, significantly boosting capacity in the arenas. Tickets range from $49.50-$175.

In addition to Jacksonville, the tour will play Tampa (March 5), Charlotte (7), Cincinnati (10), Atlanta (14), Tulsa, Okla. (17), Houston (19), San Antonio (21), Phoenix 26, and Anaheim (28, 30).

Live Nation is promoting most of the shows on the tour, and AEG Live will promote in Anaheim, which has almost sold out the second show.

Before the trek, Joel is set for a six-show run at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla., spread out between Jan. 2 and Feb. 8. John has international shows on tap through late January, to be followed by a two-week engagement with his Red Piano show at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace.

Elton John and Billy Joel may record together before tour
02:53 PM PT, Dec 16 2008

Elton John is looking to whip up a little something special for his upcoming Face 2 Face tour with fellow '70s piano man Billy Joel to make it more than just a greatest-hits outing. Returning to the
concert trail next spring for the first time in six years, John and Joel want to inject some new music into the mix.
"We're thinking about recording three songs together," John told Pop & Hiss on Tuesday. "Definitely not our own songs, or oldies, but we're interested in getting some people to write new songs for us. I've got Raphael Saadiq and Nile Rodgers working on something, so we're booking some time to go into the studio and record."
On their previous joint road trips in 1995, 2001-2002 and 2003, the Face 2 Face tour turned into one of the top 10 grossing tours of those years. The 2009 tour is scheduled to open March 2 in Jacksonville, Fla., and will include two Southland performances March 28 and 30 at
the Honda Center in Anaheim.
-- Randy Lewis
Photo: John and Joel in 2001. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

A victory for irony as Elton John loses Guardian libel case | Media | The Guardian

Sir Elton John is well known for his quick temper and outrageous behaviour. A documentary of his life said it all - it was called, knowingly, Tantrums and Tiaras.

But a high court judge ruled yesterday that the singer's sense of humour failure over a satirical piece by a Guardian columnist was a tantrum too far.

In a groundbreaking libel decision, the judge said that "irony" and "teasing" do not amount to defamation. The ruling offers protection to writers of satirical articles clearly not meant to be taken seriously and was welcomed last night by media lawyers and journalists.

The Guardian was awarded costs and the singer, who brought the action, was refused leave to appeal by Mr Justice Tugendhat. John's legal team indicated that he might now seek leave to appeal.

John brought the action following the publication in Guardian Weekend magazine, in July this year, of a spoof diary written by Marina Hyde. "A peek at the diary of Sir Elton John" recorded his fictional thoughts about his annual White Tie and Tiara ball, which raises millions of pounds for the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Elton John Mulling Ronson Collaboration

December 03, 2008 01:37 PM ET
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Elton John may enlist producer Mark Ronson to work on his next studio album, which is being penciled in for release in late 2009 by Universal.

"They like each other and know each other well. There's been lots and lots of conversation, but nothing is finalized yet," a source close to the artists tells Billboard.

The as-yet-untitled album will be the follow-up to 2006's "The Captain & The Kid," which has sold 151,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

As usual, John is busy with numerous projects. His collaboration with the Killers and the Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant, "Joseph, Better You Than Me," is available through the new (RED)WIRE digital service, and will see wide release on Dec. 16.

Meanwhile, John is the first guest on Elvis Costello's new show, "Spectacle," which premiered tonight (Dec. 3) on the Sundance Channel. And his New Year's Eve show at London's O2 Arena will be broadcast live on ITV1.

As previously reported, John and Billy Joel will reprise their successful co-headlining tour beginning March 2 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Not sure what I think of it;

From Times Square Gossip;

Pop singing icon Elton John is set to perform a huge New Year’s Eve celebration concert in London.The star will belt out an selection of his classic hits in front of 17,000 fans at the O2 Arena in the English capital. Celebrity photographer David LaChapelle will produce the concert, which comes a year after British boyband Take That staged a similar event at the famous venue. Sir Elton says, "I can’t wait to spend New Year’s Eve with 17,000 of my biggest fans."

Recording as The Fireman Paul McCartney offers up one of his most enjoyable albums in recent memory.

From the USA Today;

"What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that they went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word marriage." He went on to say, "I don't want to be married. I'm very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership...You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships."

This time its the Top 100 Singer Of All Time

Elton comes in at #38.

38 | Elton John

Photo: Redfern/Redferns/Retna Born
March 25th,
1947

Key
Tracks
"Your Song," "Goodbye
Yellow Brick Road," "Tiny Dancer"

Influenced
Rivers Cuomo, George
Michael, Axl Rose
John Lennon once told Rolling Stone that when he heard Elton John singing "Your Song" — the 1970 breakthrough ballad that spotlighted John's voice and its union of rock & roll grandness with deep soul feeling — he thought, "Great, that's the first new thing that's happened since we happened." Only a few years earlier, John had claimed, "I can't really sing." Once he found his voice, though, he quickly turned out to have a dumbfounding stylistic range, unleashing his singsong falsetto and his ferocious hard-rock bellow. "He was mixing his falsetto and his chest voice to really fantastic effect in the Seventies," says Ben Folds. "There's that point in 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,' where he sings, 'on the grooound' — his voice is all over the shop. It's like jumping off a diving board when he did that."
Playlist
1.
Your Song

2.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

3.
Tiny Dancer

4.
Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long Long Time)

5.
Don't Go Breaking My Heart

6.
Candle in the Wind

7.
Crocodile Rock

8.
Levon

9. I
Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues

10.
Bennie and the Jets

The Killers have confirmed they are releasing a Christmas single with Elton John.

The Las Vegas group previously said they were unsure whether the track would be ready for the festive season but are now preparing to head into the studio with the 'Rocket Man' singer to begin work on 'Better You Than Me' and say they expect to start work very soon.

Drummer Ronnie Vannucci revealed: "I have a sneaky suspicion Elton is just going to want to get us in a room and just do a straight recording."

The release will be the third seasonal single in a row that the 'Mr. Brightside' hitmakers have released.

Proceeds from download-only previous efforts 'Great Big Sled' and 'Don't Shoot Me Santa' were donated to charity.

The Killers release their next album 'Day and Age' on November 24.

Elton John writing AIDS musical for Ben Stiller

Elton John writing AIDS musical for Ben Stiller
15/10/2008 8:16:00 PM. | BANG Showbiz

Elton John | AAP

Sir Elton John is writing a “film musical” about a man who has AIDS.

The ‘Candle in the Wind’ singer is penning the show with Ben Stiller in mind for the lead role, and despite its seemingly bleak subject matter Elton insists it will be a comedy.

He said: “I’ve got to try and write a film musical for Ben Stiller. It’s about a guy on Broadway who is gay, has HIV and AIDS and has to go back and face his wife and his kids that he left. It’s very funny.

“The premise doesn’t sound funny, but it is.”

However, Elton – who has written the music for shows including ‘Billy Elliot’ and ‘Aida’ – says he generally isn’t a fan of musical theatre.

He is quoted by website MSNBC as saying: “I like some of the classic ones.

“‘West Side Story,’ for me, is the greatest musical ever written.

“But I don’t like forced fun. I’m more drawn to tragedy than, ‘Let’s all have a great time.’ And I’m not keen on the music in musicals sometimes.

“I’m quite fussy about it. I don’t really like them unless I’m involved in them, for some reason.”

Meanwhile, the 61-year-old performer has been enjoying time with friends in the South of France.

Elton reportedly invited 10 of his closest pals for a free two-week break in the exclusive region, before setting up a tab at designer clothing store Dolce and Gabbana where his guests spent a staggering 140,000 Euros.

Elton John: Money from tennis fund-raiser will target AIDS in South | Peach Buzz

Elton John: Money from tennis fund-raiser will target AIDS in South

By RICHARD L. ELDREDGE | Sunday, October 12, 2008, 05:45 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For Sir Elton John, hosting his 16th annual Advanta World Team Tennis Smash Hits event back in his U.S. hometown meant a great deal more to him than just the luxury of not having to board a plane to attend the “tennis chic” affair.

“All of the money raised here today will stay here in the Atlanta market and in Georgia,” John told the AJC Sunday morning before picking up his racket at the fund-raiser at Kennesaw State University Sunday morning. “Forty six percent of AIDS cases are now being reported in the South. We are distinctly aware of the problems here and the South will continue to be a priority for the foundation.”

John was joined by his co-host and old friend Billie Jean King and pro tennis pals Anna Kournikova, Andy Roddick and Martina Navratilova, along with rising players and Smash Hits first-timers Jesse Levine and local gal Melanie Oudin.

Playbill News: O'Hara, Miranda, Scott and Wilson to Join Elton John for Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Benefit Oct. 20

O'Hara, Miranda, Scott and Wilson to Join Elton John for Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Benefit Oct. 20

By Adam Hetrick
09 Oct 2008

Elton John

John Cameron Mitchell, Kelli O'Hara, Patrick Wilson and the legendary Elton John are among the latest performers to join the one-night-only benefit concert of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road at the New Amsterdam Theatre Oct. 20.

Tony Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler has been announced to direct and choreograph the 8 PM evening that celebrates the 35th anniversary of the U.S. release of the acclaimed Elton John-Bernie Taupin double album, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Expect performers from the theatre and music industry to perform the album's songs in the order of the original tracks. Tom Kitt (13) serves as musical director.

Jeffrey Seller (In the Heights, Avenue Q) produces the benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Friends in Deed.

Also newly announced to take part are Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights), Sherie Rene Scott (The Little Mermaid), the Broadway Inspirational Voices, Melissa Hough and Larry Keigwin.

Previously announced to perform are Tony winning actress Jane Krakowski (Nine, "30 Rock"), Stew (Passing Strange), Joey Arias (Arias with a Twist), Scissor Sisters front man and Tales of the City composer/lyricist Jake Shears, musicians Rufus Wainwright and Ben Folds, as well as the casts of Hair and The Lion King.

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" features such hits as "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," "Harmony," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and the title song.

Tickets, ranging $250-$2,500, are currently available by phoning (212) 307-4100 or by visiting Ticketmaster.

I missed this from Hercules. Some good news, especially dropping the rap collaboration (thank goodness!). I have a suggestion, release the Surround Sound mixes of the remaining classic years albums that Greg Penny completed over 2 years ago!

Elton wants more - 2009 and beyond
Thursday, September 25 2008
Hercules has learned that Elton has no plans to retire as his diary is full for the next five years!
Besides the plans for more "Face to Face" dates with Billy Joel in 2009 (as reported here earlier), Elton is also scheduled to be back in the studio for a new album next year. Meanwhile, Elton has dropped plans to release a rap collaboration album which he began working on.

While the "Red Piano" shows will end at the Collosseum at Caesar's Palace in early 2009, Elton has signed a new Red Piano deal to play another new venue in Vegas.

As next year will mark Elton's 40th year of recording, Mercury plans to release a box set of special duets, rock versions, and singles to mark that special occasion.

Finally, Mercury is currently also looking to release an enhanced version of "Madman Across the Water" following the success of this year's release of the "Elton John" and "Tumbleweed Connection" albums. There will be new demos on the "Madman Across The Water" release, although no release date has yet been mentioned.

New Elton coming in October...

Best Buy Bows Exclusive Elton John’s ‘Red Piano’ | homemediamagazine.com
Best Buy Bows Exclusive Elton John’s ‘Red Piano’

September 22, 2008
Best Buy Oct. 28 will street The Red Piano on DVD, Blu-ray, CD and vinyl — the second exclusive distribution deal between the Minneapolis-based retail chain and pop artist Elton John.
Best Buy Bows Exclusive Elton John’s ‘Red Piano’

By Erik Gruenwedel | Posted: 22 Sep 2008
egruenwedel@questex.com

Best Buy Oct. 28 will street The Red Piano on DVD, Blu-ray, CD and vinyl — the second exclusive distribution deal between the Minneapolis-based retail chain and pop artist Elton John.

Piano features 14 songs (including classics “Candle in the Wind,” “Believe” and “Rocket Man”) culled from John’s long-running show at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. In 2004, Best Buy and the veteran John partnered for the multiple-disc CD and DVD release of Dream Ticket.

The two-disc DVD set ($24.99) and Blu-ray Disc set ($29.99, with two-CD live audio soundtrack) also feature a documentary about the making of Piano, including footage of John discussing his reasoning behind the show.

Other songs on the sets include: “Benny & The Jets,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Daniel,” “Answer In The Sky,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” “Pinball Wizard,” “The Bitch Is Back,” “I'm Still Standing,” “Saturdays Nights Alright For Fighting” and “Your Song.”

Sales of music video DVDs increased 18.6% to 27.5 million units in 2007, generating nearly $485 million in revenue, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

Best Buy has cornered the market on DVD/CD/Blu-ray artist exclusives, including the Nov. 11 release The Police’s Live Certifiable, recorded in Buenos Aires last December; the Rolling Stones’ Four Flicks and Tom Petty’s Runnin' Down A Dream, among others.

Much of the art and photography included in Piano comes from David LaChappelle and features neon sculptures, pop art, baubles, balloons and images of John’s band.

The multidisc release is timed to coincide with John’s return engagements at Caesar’s Palace Oct. 22 to Nov. 9, and Feb. 3 to April 22, 2009.

“Our customers showed they were fans of Elton John by the success we had with the Dream Ticket DVD set,” said Gary Arnold, senior entertainment officer with Best Buy.

Killers And Elton John Plan Holiday Tune | KBS Radio

Killers And Elton John Plan Holiday Tune
Killers And Elton John Plan Holiday Tune

By: Sofia Fernandez

The Killers have laid the groundwork for their third consecutive Christmas single, and this time, they've enlisted Elton John to join in on the holiday cheer. According to NME.com, the Las Vegas outfit and the British "Rocket Man" have agreed to record a Christmas tune with the cheeky title, "Joseph, Better You Than Me."

"Joseph, Better You Than Me," or whatever the song ends up being called, will be the third holiday effort for the Killers, who released "A Great Big Sled" in 2006 and "Don't Shoot Me Santa" in 2007. Proceeds from the first two songs went to charity and the same is expected for the 2008 effort.

The Killers have previously said they'd eventually like to turn out enough Christmas tunes to make an album.

The Killers'newest non-themed album, Day And Age, comes out in November.

The band will fete the new disc with gig at London's Royal Albert Hall on November 3rd

'Billy Elliot,' 'Shrek' Head Broadway's Fall Musicals - Entertainment - redOrbit

John Jorgenson, a pioneer of American Gypsy

You might not immediately recognize the name John Jorgenson, but you've almost certainly heard his work.

The guitarist, who is known as one of the pioneers of American gypsy jazz, was a founding member of the Desert Rose Band, which scored five No. 1 hits, including "He's Back and I'm Blue" and "I Still Believe in You." He was a member of the Hellecasters, with other Nashville session players Will Ray and Jerry Donahue, who released three award-winning records and DVDs

Lily Allen feeling ’suicidal’ over Elton John feud claims | Entertainment and Showbiz!

Whats really alarming is that the writer of this article uses "Sacrifice" as an Elton-historical reference point.

Music - News - Elton John dismisses Allen duet - Digital Spy

She needs him far more than he needs her...

Lily Allen And Elton John Fight At London Awards Ceremony

Lily Allen And Elton John Get Into Catfight At London's GQ Men Of The Year Awards

Pop icon reportedly called out his young co-host for drinking too much during the show.

By Jocelyn Vena

Lily Allen and Elton John got into a verbal scuffle while co-hosting Tuesday's GQ Men of the Year Awards at London's Royal Opera House, The Times of London reports.

The music veteran called out the 23-year-old pop singer for swearing and slurring her way through her dialogue as she drank champagne, according to the Times. "What, you are going to have another drink?" John asked.

That's when the real catfight got under way. "F--- off, Elton," Allen responded, while celebs like TV chef Gordon Ramsay, producer Mark Ronson, actress Thandie Newton and model Elle MacPherson looked on. "I'm 40 years younger than you. I have my whole life ahead of me."

John, 61, quipped, "I could still snort you under the table."

Allen then tried to play it off, saying, "I don't know what you are talking about."

She continued to steal the spotlight when Tony Bennett took the stage to accept the Inspiration Award. As John introduced the 82-year-old crooner, Allen announced, "I'll still f--- him."

Later in the night, Allen had some good news for the press. She revealed that her younger brother, actor Alfie Owen-Allen, is engaged to actress Jaime Winstone, introducing her as "my very soon-to-be sister-in-law."

At the magazine's annual ceremony, Led Zeppelin took home an Achievement Award for their comeback concert, Ronson received the Maverick Award, and Primal Scream were named Band of the Year.

Finally a nugget on some new music included in the animated "Gnomeo & Juliet" which I thought had died some time ago....apparently not;

McAvoy and Blunt Join Elton John for Gnomeo and Juliet

by BuzzSugar

"Gnomeo!" It makes me giggle.

The big news in the animation world today has to do with Shakespeare, Elton John and a star-crossed garden gnome couple voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt. It sounds so cute my teeth are starting to ache.

Apparently Gnomeo and Juliet has been in the works for several years, with various other talent involved (Kate Winslet, Tim Rice). Now, the CGI-animated movie will blend Elton John's well-known songs (and some new ones) with a story based on one of Shakespeare's most well-known works. The Hollywood Reporter has more details:

In the loose and edgy adaptation of Shakespeare's play, McAvoy (Atonement) and Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) would play lovers from rival gardens. John, who is producing alongside his offscreen partner David Furnish, Baker Bloodworth and Steve Hamilton Shaw, is said to be pursuing big-name talent to voice supporting roles.

I'm not the biggest fan of Elton John, but this sounds like it could be just so adorable. I mean, the Romeo and Juliet story's been played. . .but not by garden gnomes!

An odd review of "Tumbleweed Connection" from Rolling Stone that spends more time slamming "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" than discussing the topic of the review.

Elton John was a lot of things — sideman, session man and flop, with a long tail of failed solo releases, including the 1969 LP Empty Sky — before 1970's Elton John made him an overnight star. He wasn't afraid to admit it. John packed a bonus scrapbook in the original lavish packaging of 1975's Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy with bad-hair photos, comic music-press ads ("You've been warned! Elton John is 1968's great new talent") and other ample proof of his time, with lifelong lyricist Bernie Taupin, in Sixties-pop boot camp. That book is miniaturized for this reissue. Everything else here has ballooned; each album now has a second CD of demos, stray singles and, in the case of Captain Fantastic, a complete 1975 live premiere of the record. On Elton John, the extras actually trump the baroque strings and hippie-gospel chorales that crowded "Sixty Years On" and "Take Me to the Pilot." Stripped-bare demos of nearly every song on the record highlight the '68 Beatles and '58 Jerry Lee Lewis in John's voice and piano. With its flinty guitars and the natural gunslinger's gait of "Country Comfort" and "Burn Down the Mission," 1971's Tumbleweed Connection needs no improvement; it is one of the best country-rock albums ever written by London cowboys. But an early epic take of "Madman Across the Water," cut at the sessions with glam-blues guitar by Mick Ronson, is reason enough to buy this edition. An instant Number One hit, Captain Fantastic was, ironically, a great concept — a look back at John and Taupin's pre-fame labors — short on songs as great as the ones that made them famous, except for the opulent ballad "Someone Saved My Life Tonight." The concert version is the same flawed album but with muted applause — until the encores.

From the Detroit Free Press;

LaVette gets a rave
Bettye LaVette, the Detroit veteran of American soul music, has filmed a new video for her Grammy-nominated "The Scene of the Crime" album, a reinterpretation of Elton John's "Talking Old Soldiers." It was filmed by Lex Halaby in Detroit's the Locker Room bar in early June.
In his Pick of the Week at USA Today, critic Ken Barnes wrote: "The 61-year-old Detroit soul survivor transforms Elton John's 'Tumbleweed Connection' obscurity into a tour de force about outliving the people one loves the most. ... LaVette's chill-inducing performance is without question one of the finest you'll hear all year."
Her "The Old Soldiers Tour" has seen LaVette at the Telluride Jazz Celebration, the Monterey Bay Blues Festival and the inaugural Rothbury Festival. The tour continues up until the holiday season.

Television - News - Elton John to get 'Star Stories' treatment - Digital Spy

Star Stories actor Steve
Edge has revealed that Elton John and David Furnish will be among the
celebrities lampooned on the new series of the show.

Edge, who stars alongside Kevin Bishop on the Channel 4 programme, confirmed that the newest scripts are the funniest yet.

"I'm sure we're doing Elton John and David Furnish," Edge told The Mirror.
"We read a new Britpop sketch of Oasis and Blur going to see Blair,
which sounds good. Jarvis Cocker is the narrator, like an Austin Powers
figure.

RARITIES AND REISSUES

Elton John, "Elton John -- Deluxe Edition" (Mercury/UMe) 5 stars

Contrary to what a lot of his American fans still think, 1970's "Elton John" album was not the songwriter's first release.
It had been preceded by "Empty Sky" in the U.K. in 1969, but that album failed to generate much heat and wasn't even released in the U.S. until John became a star.

That stardom was initially triggered by this eponymous breakthrough disc, which has now been expanded from 40 minutes to nearly two hours, thanks to this double-CD "Deluxe Edition."

It's a beautiful recording, heartfelt and soulful, one that set a mood that John never quite duplicated in his many subsequent offerings. Tracks like "Your Song," "Take Me to the Pilot," "I Need You To Turn To" and the touching "The Greatest Discovery," tapped into early 1970's singer/songwriter sensibilities with a new passion, a new approach and a new style that was as fresh as it was distinct.

The edition features a 20-song bonus disc, mostly filled with piano demos, as well as rarities like "Grey Seal," which was initially the B-side to a single before being re-recorded several years later for "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."

While fascinating from a historical perspective, the demos are far from the definitive versions of the songs, with several like "Your Song," lacking the power and presence of the final recording, while others like the BBC session version of "Take Me to the Pilot," played too fast and lacking a groove.

Several major rarities are featured however, including "Thank You Mama," "All the Way Down to El Paso," and "I'm Going Home," which are all previously unreleased in any form.

The "Deluxe Edition" is being reissued simultaneously with a similar double-disc look back at another one of John's early great albums, "Tumbleweed Connection."

RVL S.C.O.R.E. Proudly
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Organization for Regaining Excellence

Direction/Musical Direction by
Mike Walker

Choreography by Marie Madera
Gleerup

TICKETS

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Kids 18 & Under
$10

You may order tickets from cast members or reserve your tickets
by calling

(310) 377-3706

rob@rvlscore.org

Reserved seating based on a 1^st come 1^st
served basis

Please make your donation payable to

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Matinee Performance - August 9 & 10 at 2:00
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For More Information Please Call (310) 377-3706 or
rob@rvlscore.org

Stars sparkle at Sir Elton John's White Tie & Tiara Ball
By Hilary Alexander, Fashion Director
Last Updated: 6:26PM BST 27/06/2008
Sir Elton John's White Tie & Tiara Ball: The theme was 'Surfin USA', circa the sun-drenched 60's of California, set to the music of the Beach Boys, star act of the night.

Sadly the barometer was set to a gloomy British summer, with temperatures chilly enough to make the pecs on the honed and toned 'Muscle Beach' models quiver in the stiff breeze.

There were certainly no takers for the pristine white diving board in the middle of the lake which dominates the gardens of Sir Elton John and David Furnish's £20 million Woodside home at Old Windsor.

But nothing could dampen the spirits of the 630 party-goers at £3,000 a head for the 10th annual White Tie & Tiara Ball, nor dull the sparkle of the amazing jewels which glittered in the cavalcade of bronzed cleavage, shimmering in the candle-lit setting

VH1's 'Elton' strolls down star's yellow brick road

Wednesday, June 11th 2008, 4:00 AM

ELTON JOHN: ME, MYSELF AND I. Thursday at 9 p.m., VH1

"Elton John: ME, MYSELF AND I," which gets its first American showing on VH1 tomorrow night, turns out to be something of a vanity project.

That's fitting. In fact, with Elton John, it's redundant.

As he would be the first to acknowledge.

Confidence, he remarks at one point during this production, has never been a problem for the boy who was born Reginald Dwight and grew up to become the unlikeliest rock star this side of Elvis Costello.

He looks like someone you'd meet behind the counter at the auto parts store. Only his skill at creating hummable melodies, combined with his good fortune in teaming up early with lyricist Bernie Taupin, made him one of the most durable rockers ever.

It can be argued that he sometimes plays to easy cheap sentiment, and that his later work got less interesting. Still, anyone who can play a 2-1/2-hour concert composed entirely of catchy hits, and still have two dozen left over, obviously has done something right.

This 2007 British film, unlike a documentary done 10 years ago, doesn't try to capture the full Elton. No tantrums here, no diva moments.

Instead, he walks the viewer through his life, chronologically, in a calm and reflective tone. If anything, he's subdued. While he talks about how much fun he's had being Elton John, we don't get a visceral sense of it from the brief film clips.

Nor does he offer any major revelations about his off-stage life, though it's revealing that he dwells on two events most fans might not have guessed were major turning points.

One was owning the Watford football (soccer) team, which he said taught him crucial lessons about management and about realizing you don't always win.

The other was his friendship with the late Ryan White, the Indiana boy who became a symbol of AIDS victims. Beyond the relationship itself, John says spending a week with the dying boy and his family jolted John into changing - and ultimately saving - his own life.

That meant kicking a drug habit so serious he once joked about the Swiss Alps reminding him of all the cocaine he had snorted.

It revived his career, inspired him to start an AIDS foundation that has raised more than $100 million and led him to what he calls a much more balanced life.

At the same time, it's still a rock-star life. While this special doesn't talk about the flowers, the decorating, the wardrobe and John's legendary conspicuous consumption, they're the unspoken backdrop.

"Elton John" doesn't present itself as definitive autobiography, which it's not. It acknowledges just briefly his ill-fated heterosexual marriage and seems to tread delicately on the still-tender matter of Princess Diana's death. It leaves virtually all discussion of his music and songs for another day.

It's a solid chapter in the book of his life.

No not that one;

Amazon has them listed for June 3rd, if you pre-order you are guaranteed to get the lowest prices from Amazon should the prices drop;

Elton John 'breaking my heart' piano for sale - Music - Entertainment

The grand piano on which Elton John rehearsed his British chart topping duet with Kiki Dee, Don't Go Breaking My Heart goes on sale next month with a price tag of up to STG45,000 ($A93,000).

The maple-finished Steinway was completed in Hamburg in 1971 and shipped to London where the flamboyant British singer bought it for his home in Windsor.

"I haven't owned that many pianos in my life and particular pianos have special memories," said John.

"It was a totally amazing time - the huge success in America, the touring, producing a new album at the rate of sometimes two a year. Just incredible!".

It will go on sale at auction house Bonhams entertainment memorabilia sale on June 18 alongside another of John's Grand Pianos, a Black Steinway made in the United States in 1971 which was originally bought for his Beverley Hills home.

That is expected to fetch up to STG35,000 ($A72,000).

Other items in the sale in Knightsbridge include film and concert posters, autographed record covers, concert tickets, items of clothing, musical instruments and photographs.

Reuters

My new favorite song;

Elton John Pianos May Fetch 80000 Pounds at Bonhams in London

Elton John - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

Elton John to play Mohegan Sun

GateHouse News Service
Posted May 27, 2008 @ 11:34 AM

Elton John is coming to Mohegan Sun Arena at 8 p.m. Nov. 14, as part of his 2008 tour: "Rocket Man: Number Ones." Mohegan Sun will be Elton John and his band's only public performance this fall in New England.

Since there is no new Elton music in the near future here is a new track from Journey called "After All These Years" with new lead vocalist Arnel Pineda. It really is quite good and very Journey sounding;

Elton John has been offered £2.6 million ($5 million) to play for a Russian woman tycoon for just an hour.

John, 61, is likely to accept the tempting offer, which is a record for a single artist. A private jet will fly him and guards will escort him to the hotel in the posh Rublyovka district, reports thesun.co.uk.

An informed source said: “Initially, Elton turned her down because he is so busy. But when the offer crossed the £2 million barrier it was too much to refuse, even for someone of his means. And let's be honest, £2.6 million buys a hell of a lot of flowers. He's on the verge of saying yes.”

After recording what are arguably his best 3 albums since the mid-70s according to his fans and critics, Elton has decided that he doesn't need to record another...

Elton John: 'I won't make another album'

Friday, May 9 2008, 13:09 BST

By Simon Reynolds, Entertainment Reporter
Elton John: 'I won't make another album'

Rex Features
Elton John has revealed that he may not release another album, BBC 6 Music reports.

Speaking after a recent performance in Austria, the popstar said: "I don't know if I'm ever going to make another record again at the moment. I have no plans to do another album as such.

"I am so busy touring and doing shows and promoting musicals and producing films - I would like to make another record but I don’t know when or where or if I am gonna make one."

John's last album, The Captain & The Kid, was released in 2006.

Sir Alan Sugar reportedly hired the 61-year-old to perform at his recent ruby wedding anniversary.

I just bought this TV last week and I am STUNNED by the brilliant picture it produces. So here is my shameless plug for anyone looking for a new HDTV. This is the Samsung LN-T4671F and it has just been discontinued because it is the 2007 model. The price has come down $800 from last week and it probably will continue down until they exhaust their inventory. So check it out, buy it and also get "Elton 60: Live at Madison Square Garden" to be the first DVD or Blu-Ray you watch. You will be amazed!

Pretty cool but a bit out of my price range...

Elton John has added another round of dates to his ongoing Las Vegas production, dubbed "The Red Piano," and will work in some concerts outside of Sin City, as well. This month, John will tackle shows in Austria, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and China before returning stateside in late May for a couple of shows in Alaska, then back to the Vegas stage once again in June.

According to a post on The Crazy Water Forum and confirmed here on the very unreliable Wikipedia Elton's 1975 song "Street Kids" is included in the new video game Grand Theft Auto IV.

Click here for the Elton John section of Wolfgangs Vault...

Wolfgang's Vault Adds Concerts by Elton John, America, Motorhead, etc.

Sunday, 27 April 2008

Wolfgang's Vault, the world famous music archive website "where live music lives", has just uncovered and presented 14 new concerts to be streamed free beginning today. These shows recorded between 1968 and 1988, have not been heard since then and are exclusive to www.ConcertVault.com.

These previously unreleased concert recordings are:

* Motorhead 1983

* Elton John 1988

* Crosby, Stills & Nash 1973

* America 1978

* Eddie Money 1978

* Slade 1976

* Jefferson Airplane 1969

* Steve Miller 1974

* Sammy Hagar 1977

* Garland Jeffreys 1978

* Todd Rundgren 1982

* Jimi Hendrix Experience 1968

Also this week, Wolfgang's Vault fans gave The Allman Brothers 1971 Fillmore East concert on the www.ConcertVault.com the highest rating in the Vault, edging out last week's winner: Stevie Ray Vaughn's 1983 Ripley Music Hall show.

Other news on Wolfgang's Vault includes the announcement of 15% off discount on all Rock Posters for a limited time. A discount coupon code was sent today to newsletter subscribers.

Rare luxury items are offered today on Wolfgang's Vault's eBay Store, in a "Big Ticket Auction." Included: an early Jefferson Airplane poster for the Vietnam Day Committee's Peace Trip; a handbill for the Hell's Angels' Chocolate George featuring the Dead and Big Brother; an extremely rare hand-painted poster for Jimi Hendrix; a signed Grape Strike Benefit poster; a New York Pop Festival poster; and offered for the first time ever, a set of over 600 BG tickets.

And [http://www.crawdaddy.com Crawdaddy!, The Magazine of Rock features:

Interviews with Ted Nugent,

Reviews of the new Rolling Stones film by Martin Scorcese: Let It Shine,

Music Sound Quality challenge: MP3 vs. Vinyl vs. CD

Black Lips, Billy Bragg, Brian Jonestown Massacre and more

About Wolfgang's Vault:

Wolfgang's Vault began in 2003 as the home of the Bill Graham Archives and has become the world's largest collection of concert recordings for streaming and download, and all related live music art including fine art rock posters, rock photos and vintage and retro apparel and rock memorabilia.

San Diego teen to be a Billy Elliot

San Diego teenager Kiril Kulish is one of three boys selected to share the role of Billy in the Broadway production of "Billy Elliot: The Musical," with music by Elton John and lyrics and libretto by Lee Hall.

The show, based on the 2000 movie "Billy Elliot," about a talented kid from a working-class family in northern England who wants to dance, opens Oct. 1 at the Imperial Theater in New York.

Announced Tuesday in New York, the selection of the three Billys who will rotate through the role -- Kulish, 14; New Yorker Trent Kowalik, 13, a veteran of the London production; and Montreal-born David Alvarez, 13, who spent many years in San Diego and now lives in New York -- follows a scouting process that began more than three years ago, with countrywide auditions involving hundreds of boys.

Kulish, a trained pianist who began studying ballet at age 5 and ballroom dancing at 8, has won awards in ballet and ballroom competitions.

His sister and publicist Beatrice, who was with Kulish in New York for the announcement, said that at age 3 Kulish began following the ballroom and dance steps she demonstrated on visits home from college. She says she encouraged Kulish to dance "because I just wanted him to meet girls, you know?"

-- Diane Haithman

Sudbury council scolded over Elton John tickets

The Canadian Press

April 25, 2008 at 1:21 PM EDT

TORONTO — A private meeting by city council in Sudbury, Ont., to discuss a scandal involving Elton John concert tickets did not violate a law banning most closed-door meetings of elected officials, but it came "darn close," Ombudsman Andre Marin said Friday.

Mr. Marin used one of the musician's song titles — Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me — for his special report, which scolded councillors for meeting privately to discuss returning some of the 120 concert tickets they were able to purchase ahead of the general public.

Mr. Marin said the Feb. 20 meeting of 11 of the 13 Sudbury councillors "did not appear to be above board," and was "close to the legal line," but did not technically count as a council meeting under the law because it wasn't about city policy.

"Their behaviour may have passed the legal test, but it didn't pass the smell test, and if they continue with this kind of hanky-panky they're going to eventually transgress and cross the line," Mr. Marin said.

"This is not a case where vindication should be claimed."

A public outcry erupted in the northern Ontario city over the sold-out March 2 show by the pop music legend — one of only two Canadian stops on his recent tour — after people learned the 13 councillors were each able to purchase eight tickets ahead of the general public, who were limited to six tickets each.

"It's given Sudbury a black eye," Mr. Marin said, noting the scandal received international attention.

There was also a similar controversy involving tickets and city council in Kitchener, Ont. — the other Canadian stop on the tour — but there were no complaints about closed-door meetings, so Mr. Marin was never asked to investigate.

Mr. Marin called private meetings of elected officials "dangerous" because they fuel public suspicion.

"Local politicians should think long and hard before closing the doors and letting the sun go down," which usually violates the law, he said.

"Members of the public are very interested whenever public officials discuss issues of salaries and perks and privileges that mere city mortals don't get."

Mr. Marin noted the Sudbury council has since voted to end the practice of councillors getting advance access to events at the municipal arena.

But the vote was close, with Mayor John Rodriguez casting the tiebreaker after councillors deadlocked 6-6 on giving up the perk of preferential access to events at Sudbury Arena. The council also voted to no longer allow Sudbury Arena employees to make advance purchases of two tickets each.

Mandy Moore did an album of covers a couple of years ago called "Coverage" and Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters was one of the songs on the album. Since I can't find that one online here is my favorite track from the album, a Joan Armatrading song

Well now the release dates for both Tumbleweed Connection and Elton John Deluxe Editions is set for June 3. We'll see if that holds or if they are delayed again.

Disc 1
1. Your Song Album Version
2. I Need You To Turn To
3. Take Me To The Pilot Album Version
4. No Shoe Strings On Louise
5. First Episode At Hienton
6. Sixty Years On Album Version
7. Border Song Album Version
8. The Greatest Discovery
9. The Cage
10. The King Must Die
11. Your Song Demo Version
12. I Need You To Turn To Piano Demo
13. Take Me To The Pilot Piano Demo
14. No Shoe Strings On Louise Piano Demo
15. Sixty Years On Piano Demo
16. The Greatest Discovery Piano Demo
17. The Cage Demo
18. The King Must Die Piano Demo
Disc 2
1. Rock And Roll Madonna Piano Demo
2. Thank You Mama Piano Demo
3. All The Way Down To El Paso Piano Demo
4. I'm Going Home Piano Demo
5. Grey Seal Piano Demo
6. Rock And Roll Madonna Incomplete Band Demo
7. Bad Side Of The Moon
8. Grey Seal
9. Rock And Roll Madonna
10. Border Song BBC Session (With Hookfoot)
11. Your Song BBC Session
12. Take Me To The Pilot BBC Session

Disc 1
1. Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun
2. Come Down In Time
3. Country Comfort Album Version
4. Son Of Your Father
5. My Father's Gun
6. Where To Now St. Peter?
7. Love Song
8. Amoreena
9. Talking Old Soldiers
10. Burn Down The Mission
Disc 2
1. There Goes A Well Known Gun Previously Unreleased
2. Come Down In Time Piano Demo Previously Unreleased
3. Country Comfort Piano Demo Previously Unreleased
4. Son Of Your Father Previously Unreleased
5. Talking Old Soldiers Piano Demo Previously Unreleased
6. Into The Old Man's Shoes Piano Demo Previously Unreleased
7. Sisters Of The Cross Piano Demo Previously Unreleased
8. Madman Across The Water Original Version
9. Into The Old Man's Shoes
10. My Father's Gun BBC Session
11. Ballad Of A Well-Known Gun BBC Session Previously Unreleased
12. Burn Down The Mission BBC Session Previously Unreleased
13. Amoreena BBC Session Previously Unreleased

Elton John's Clinton Concert Row

AP Photo/Andrew Theodorakis, Pool

Sir Elton John's fundraising event for Hillary Clinton has been questioned by an American government watchdog, because the singer is not a U.S. citizen.

A New York concert the rocker staged last week raised $2.5 million for the senator's presidential campaign.

He also used the Radio City Music Hall stage to pledge his support for the former first lady.

But Judicial Watch claims the fundraiser broke a law prohibiting the raising of funds for election campaigns by foreign nations, because John is British.

A statement from the group reads, "Sir Elton John is not a citizen of the United States and is therefore prohibited from making any contribution to Senator Clinton's presidential campaign."

However, Clinton has hit back, explaining a loophole allowed the star to offer his support.

Her spokesperson tells the New York Times, "Hillary's campaign has complied with the law. Since 1987 ... foreign nationals may volunteer their time for campaigns on an uncompensated basis. Elton John is simply volunteering his uncompensated time to appear at the concert. This appearance is consistent with past rulings."

Saturday night's all right for Elton John in Anaheim

Review: The legendary singer and pianist gets a little action in, delighting fans with a hits-filled show.
By PETER LARSEN
The Orange County Register
Comments 3 | Recommend 10

It's easy to take classic pop songs for granted: you've heard them for so many years, they almost become background music, something comforting maybe, nothing that you need to listen to all that closely.

But then put them all together, hit after hit, live on stage, as Elton John did Saturday at Honda Center, and suddenly you remember why you loved them the first time you heard them.

So the near-capacity crowd in Anaheim got lucky this time. With Elton on the road in support of a new collection of his No. 1 hits, going in you knew you were probably going to hear your favorite song.

And for two-and-a-half hours and 24 songs, that was exactly what Elton delivered, mixing 12 chart-topping classics with another dozen fan favorites, the majority of them from his classic albums of the '70s.

The show started slowly, the ominous sounding opening chords of "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" sounding as the arena went dark, the instrumental first half of the song perhaps serving as a chance for everyone – Elton, his band and the crowd – to get comfortable for the night.

"The Bitch is Back" followed, getting most of the crowd on its feet and cheering at the opening notes, but after that upbeat rocker, Elton went back to the slower stuff for a trio of songs from his "Madman Across the Water" album, playing the title track, "Tiny Dancer," and "Levon" in succession.

Listening to these perfectly crafted vintage tunes in concert, it's also easy to find yourself transported back to the time and place and age you were when the singer and the song first became important to you.

So as Elton played the romantic and melancholy piano riff that opens "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," my wife was a 12-year-old girl again, with posters on the wall of the singer she thought she'd marry one day. (What can we say? Kids were innocent AND naïve back then?)

A song later, "Daniel," and back in time I went too, to my own awkward childhood, singing along in the bedroom to the AM clock-radio that provided all my music as a kid.

Of course we're all older now, Elton included, and it was a more subdued showman on the stage Saturday. Dressed in a black frock coat with a typically gaudy design ("Music Magic" on the back in sparkly letters, and some combination of instruments, musical notes and a tiny Elton-as-a-wizard appliquéd here and there) he stood up on his piano a few times, and walked the four corners of the stage to acknowledge fans between songs, but seldom spoke between numbers.

His voice remains strong – though you do miss the falsetto and higher ranges he could reach when he originally recorded all of these – and his band was sharp, including drummer Nigel Olsson and guitarist Davey Johnstone, both of whom have played and recorded with Elton since the early'70s.

And, as always, his piano playing was a revelation. Where the singles might have had all those wonderful melody lines he played, most of them were short on solos as pop songs tend to be. In performance, though, Elton stretched out and showed off his skills at the keys of the Yamaha grand piano he plays.

"Rocket Man" extended into a lovely peaceful bit of soloing that seemed like it would wrap up the song, only to segue into rave-up rocker again at the finish. The percussive opening chords of "Bennie and the Jets" set a mood for that song that again let him take off on extended flights of rhythm and melody.

Some songs were a little less obvious choices – "Take Me to the Pilot," "All the Girls Love Alice," "Holiday Inn." A few came from post-'70s albums – "I'm Still Standing," "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues," "Believe,"

But at the end, it was the biggest of big hits that had the audience members on their feet and dancing. For "Crocodile Rock," Elton urged the crowd to sing the falsetto la-la-la's of the chorus, then "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" wrapped up the main set on a hard-rocking note.

After a brief break, spent mostly signing autographs at the front of the stage, Elton returned to the keyboard to close things out with two of his prettiest ballads. First, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," with its soaring melody and vocal.

And finally, "Your Song," another standard from my AM-radio-days repertoire, another reminder of why the timeless songs are still good songs to reacquaint yourself in concert from time to time.

For a guy that has America to thank for his 30+ year career, his riches and his place in music history he has a funny way of expressing his thanks....So Elton thinks that if Hillary loses its because we are a bunch of women haters. Oh brother! Thats like when he said America is racist because we voted off an black contestant on American Idol, the year that Fantasia won.

Elton John laments American misogyny

British pop star Elton John, playing a fund-raiser for Hillary Clinton in New York, said he was amazed at the misogyny of some in America and he hoped that wouldn't stop her being president.

At the fund-raiser which Clinton's campaign manager said raised $US2.5 million, John said there was no one more qualified to lead the United States into the next era.

"Having said that, I never cease to be amazed at the misogynistic attitude of some people in this country. And I say to hell with them," he said, drawing cheers from the crowd at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.

"The reason I'm here tonight is to play music, but more importantly as someone who comes from abroad, and is in America quite a lot of the time (and) is extremely interested in the political process because it effects the whole world."

"I've always been a Hillary supporter," he said.

Introducing him, Clinton recalled that the entertainer had played at the White House at a state dinner when her husband Bill Clinton was president.

The New York senator, who is trailing Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, vowed to take her battle for the Democratic nomination to the end of the primary process, saying all the states should have their say.

Clinton said she couldn't sing but "What I want you to know is 'I'm still standing'," - echoing the title of an Elton John song.

John opened his set with the track Your Song, dwelling on the line "How wonderful life is when you're in the world."

Other hits he sang included Daniel and Rocket Man.

Elton John, Elvis Costello Launch Television Series

April 3, 2008 02:04 PM
By Suzanne Kayian
LiveDaily Contributor

Elvis Costello [ tickets ] and Elton John [ tickets ] are collaborating on a new television series "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with...," that will feature performances and in-depth conversations with an eclectic mix of artists ranging from newcomers to legendary performers. John and Costello both are executive producers of the show, which will begin airing later this year on the Sundance Channel in the US, CTV in Canada and Channel 4 in the UK, according to a press release.

"Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..." will feature a variety of talk formats including intimate one-on-ones and thematic panel discussions, punctuated with live performances relating to the topics at hand. The musical side of the television series will be equally eclectic, with host and guests doing acoustic performances, unique collaborations and some interpretations of others' songs by Costello.

In a statement, John said, "Elvis Costello is the foremost expert on popular music. I thought it would be sensational to use his knowledge and intelligence to explore the artistry of musicians and other fascinating people involved in making great music, as well as true music aficionados."

Costello explained in a statement that he is not interested in extracting some dark secret from the show's guests. "I'd rather hear about a bright secret, a deep love or a curiosity that might be otherwise obscured by fame," he said. "This is a wonderful opportunity to talk in complete thoughts about music, movies, art or even vaudeville, then frame it with unique and illustrative performances."

"Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..." will keep with John's commitment to philanthropy; the series producers have struck an association with the (Product) RED campaign, which was created to raise awareness and money for the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Select excerpts and performances from the 13 one-hour shows will be distributed in a variety of new media and conventional platforms, with a portion of the profits going to the Global Fun

Eminem takes on challenging role

1st April 2008 00:00
PinkNews.co.uk writer

He may be the bad boy of white rap, but Eminem is set to wow fans of his music and acting career by starring in a new biopic of a British singing legend.

Real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III, the 35-year-old has been praised by poet Seamus Heaney for getting kids interested in lyrics and poetry and compared to Elvis Presley.

Now, following his critically acclaimed performances in 8 Mile and Da Hip Hop Witch, Eminem is set to take on his most challenging acting role to date.

He is reported to have signed up to play a young Elton John in an upcoming film about his life.

Remember what yesterday's date was?

I don't think so but the Daily Mail in the UK seems to think so, or just sees a chance to stir up some trouble;

Elton John's $1million fundraising concert for Clinton 'may break U.S. election rules'

By DAVID GARDNER - Last updated at 09:12am on 28th March 2008

Sir Elton John was at the centre of a new controversy in the American presidential race last night after claims that his $1million fundraising concert for Hillary Clinton may be illegal.

U.S. election laws ban foreigners from donating or raising cash for candidates.

Sir Elton's April 9 concert at New York's Radio City Music Hall is almost sold out, with only tickets costing £500 and £1,150 remaining.

Illegal concert? Elton John's fundraiser for Clinton could break election rules

The 1966 legislation was introduced to "minimise foreign intervention" in American elections. Penalties for infringements include fines and prison sentences.

A spokesman for the Federal Elections Committee did not rule out the possibility that the concert could contravene the act if it is ruled that Sir Elton is contributing indirectly to the Clinton campaign.

The Washington Times said the law "prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly."

But there is an exemption, according to the Washington Times, as long as the foreign national isn't compensated. Sir Elton is not believed to be being paid for the fund-raiser.

A spokesman for the Clinton campaign pointed out that Sir Elton is volunteering his time by appearing at the concert.

A complaint would have to be filed with the U.S. Federal Election Committee for any action to be taken. No complaint has yet been filed.

Happy 61st Birthday to Elton John!

Elton John slots in more US dates

March 18, 2008 04:03 AM

By Kym Kilgore

LiveDaily Contributor

Elton John [ tickets ] has added another half dozen US shows in between his "Red Piano" concerts in Las Vegas.
The superstar, who just wrapped a leg of secondary-market dates in North America, returns to Vegas Wednesday (3/19) and will perform at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace through April 6. He'll leave Sin City for another handful of US shows beginning April 11 in Missoula, MT, and, since last check, has added a second night in Pullman, WA, as well as several cities in California and Florida.

With the exception of the May 3 "Top of the Mountain" concert in Tyrol, Austria, John will take off the month of May and make his way back to Vegas for another residency in June. That will be followed by a two-week European trek with his band, after which the Rocket Man will drag his "Red Piano" set across the Atlantic in November and December for shows in England and France.

North American dates are listed below and overseas gigs can be found at John's website.

The Grammy-winning singer, who's put in about 50 annual performances at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace since 2004, signed on to keep his "Red Piano" show in Vegas through this year.

"Over the past four years, we have played almost 200 Red Piano shows at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and every single one has been an event--the band and I have had a ball!" John said in a statement, adding that he can't wait to see how British audiences react to the show.

"The Red Piano" was created by John and photographer David LaChapelle to spotlight the performer's body of work with his longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin. John and Taupin teamed once again in 2006 for the album "The Captain & The Kid," which is billed as a sequel to 1975's "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy."

Last year, John released "Rocket Man - Number Ones," which comprises 18 hits covering the first 35 years of his career. The album accompanied the star's 60th birthday celebration, which he marked with a record-breaking 60th performance at New York City's Madison Square Garden. That concert is captured on the two-disc DVD set "Elton John 60: Live at Madison Square Garden."

March 2008
19 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
21-22 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
24-26 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
28-29 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
31 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

April 2008
1-2 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
4-6 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
11 - Missoula, MT - Adams Center
12-13 - Pullman, WA - Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum
18 - Bakersfield, CA - Rabobank Arena
19 - Anaheim, CA - Honda Center
23 - Tallahassee, FL - Leon County Civic Center
24 - Gainesville, FL - Stephen B. O'Connel
25 - Pensacola, FL - Pensacola Civic Center

June 2008
3-4 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
6-7 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
9-11 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
13-14 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
16-18 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
20-22 - Las Vegas, NV - The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

ON SALE TOMORROW

Elton John Concert with Hillary Clinton
Radio City Music Hall • April 9

ON SALE: Wednesday, March 19 at 9AM

Get Tickets

This is a solo concert by Elton John in support of Hillary Clinton for President and includes remarks by Senator Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton.

Contributions to Hillary Clinton for President are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. The full amount paid by each individual, except for applicable delivery charges, is considered a contribution to Hillary Clinton for President.

Tickets go on sale TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 19 at 9AM.

Click here to purchase your tickets.

For more information, visit HillaryClinton.com/Elton.

Elton John postpones Florida concerts

Published: March 14, 2008 at 4:14 PM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., March 14 (UPI) -- British rock 'n' roll great Elton John reportedly has been forced to reschedule his upcoming Florida concerts due to illness.

The show slated for Saturday night at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center was rescheduled for April 23, the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat reported Friday.

John is also postponing shows in Pensacola, Tallahassee and Gainesville, the report said.

A news release issued by the Civic Center said the cancellations were made as per "doctor's instructions."

"Elton and his management extend their apologies for the inconvenience caused by this unavoidable rescheduling of the Florida concerts," the statement said.

Tickets will be valid for the rescheduled concerts, however, ticket holders who want refunds can obtain them at the point of purchase, the newspaper said.

A review of Elton at "The Bob" and a YouTube clip from the show...

Elton John still dazzles audiences after all these years

By CHUCK DARROW • Courier-Post Staff • March 13, 2008

Elton John presented a far different show than the one we came to know and love during his 1970s heyday while making the only regional stop of his current "Rocket Man" solo tour Monday night at the Bob Carpenter Center on the University of Delaware campus in Newark.

Then, he was the "Rock 'n' Roll Liberace," a highly amped, highly camp, almost cartoonish force of nature in electric suits who fronted a full-tilt band capable of blowing the roof off even the most hangar-like hockey arena.

Monday, however, saw what Jerry Seinfeld might describe as the "Bizarro" Elton John, a complete opposite anchored to his piano stool accompanied only by the occasional keening of canned strings.

But that's exactly what made the 27-song, 2 1/2-hour recital so special.

Stripped of all artifice and visual distractions, the program consisted merely of Elton, his almost-supernatural canon of memorable, meaningful songs and an appreciative -- make that worshipful -- sold-out audience that bathed itself in the warmth of those familiar lyrics and embracing melodies.

With little to hide behind, Elton -- Sir Elton to the Anglophiles among us -- had to be in nothing less than spectacular voice. Given his highly documented cocaine abuse in the 1970s and '80s, it's nearly miraculous that he has any voice at all today. That it may be more rich and powerful than ever is simply off the charts.

Like those of the best male singers before him, Elton's voice has aged nicely. Though not as piercing as they once were, his pipes are now nicely burnished.

Monday, his throaty, mature baritone gave ample emotional heft to any number of minor-key meditations, imbuing them with a melancholy and world-weariness the younger Elton just couldn't provide.

This was especially true on the autumnal "60 Years On," an emotive reading of "Border Song" and the appropriately evocative "Rocket Man," which boasted a coda during which he showed off some impressive stride-piano chops.

And that wasn't EJ's only display of keyboard dexterity. Throughout the evening, his considerable talents as a keyboardist were on display, from the boogie-woogie playfulness of "Crocodile Rock" to the look-at-me-showing-off on the classically inspired instrumental piece "Carla Etude."

If there was a drawback Monday, it was Sir Elton lingered too long in Balladville. But this only served to make the sporadic up-tempo numbers more valuable.

"Honky Cat" didn't miss any support instrumentation; his barrelhouse riffing happily propelled it into the stratosphere. Plus, "Philadelphia Freedom" was a pedal-to-the-metal sprint around the track that served as an emphatic reminder the British pop icon is certainly not too old to rock 'n' roll.

Among the show's other highlights were a typically crowd-pleasing rendition of "Candle in the Wind," an exceptionally muscular "Levon" and a version of "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" on which he sounded a lot like his old chum, Billy Joel, musically and vocally. Reach Chuck Darrow at (856) 486-2442 or cdarrow@gannett.com

Intersting article about May Pang's new book "Instamatic Karma";

A Fond Look at Lennon’s ‘Lost Weekend’

By ALLAN KOZINN
Published: March 12, 2008

If there’s one thing that May Pang has been fighting for the last 28 years, it’s the idea that John Lennon was depressed, isolated and out of control during the 18 months she lived with him, from the summer of 1973 to early 1975, when he reconciled with his second wife, Yoko Ono.

Lennon himself fostered that notion by referring to the time as his “Lost Weekend” in interviews he gave in 1980, when he released “Double Fantasy,” a joint album with Ms. Ono that was his return to music-making after five years’ silence. And lurid, oft-repeated tales of a drunken Lennon’s being evicted from the Troubadour, a nightclub in Los Angeles, seemed to support that image.

But to Ms. Pang, now 57, the “Lost Weekend” was a remarkably productive time, during which Lennon completed three albums — “Mind Games,” “Walls and Bridges” and “Rock ’n’ Roll” — produced albums for Ringo Starr and Harry Nilsson, and recorded with David Bowie, Elton John and Mick Jagger. And having already detailed these experiences (along with the Troubadour expulsions and other dark moments) in “Loving John,” her 1983 memoir, Ms. Pang has returned with the photographic evidence.

1. Your Song
2. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
3. Tiny Dancer
4. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long Long Time)
5. Don't Go Breaking My Heart
6. Candle in the Wind
7. Crocodile Rock
8. Levon
9. I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
10. Bennie and the Jets

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