Say what?

So the reviews for Lestat have been less than enthusiastic, putting it mildly. Thats not to say that the perceived problems with the play cannot be fixed before it move to Broadway. But the reviewers have not been kind to just about any aspect of the play.

That being said when a critic makes a comment like this one you have to question if said critic has been living under a rock for the past 30 years;

Lyricist Bernie Taupin, who has collaborated with John on many other
ventures, shares responsibility for this woeful lack of musical vitality.

You don't say? Many other ventures? You mean that little venture called Elton John's career? What an absolutely stupid comment. He makes it sound as though Bernie Taupin and Elton John are familiar with each others work and when they have the time they team up to write a few songs together, now and then. HELLO? These two are arguably one of the greatest writing teams in music history. Geez!

Political Correctness invades "gay marriage"

In a turn of events the word "marriage" is being removed from register office signs and replaced with "ceremony" in order not to offend gay couples who are entering into a civil partnership. Excuse me if I find this ironic and humorous.

OFF THEIR WEDS
Word 'marriage' removed so gays aren't offended
By Rod Chaytor

THE word "marriage" is being taken off register office
signs - in case it offends gay couples entering into a civil partnership.

Councils are following guidelines which also suggest altering couples'
stationery from "Your Wedding" to "Your Ceremony".

Wolverhampton
Register Office's two marriage rooms have been renamed ceremony rooms while the
Crown Marriage Suite in Stourbridge is now the Crown Suite after recommendations
from the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services.

Pastor Paul Chamberlain from nearby Kingswinford blasted: "Political correctness is
rearing its ugly head."

But Lacors said: "Any decisions by individual authorities may be taken as an attempt to reflect the needs of all members of the public that might use these rooms."

Elton John and David Furnish became one of the first couples to have a civil partnership last month.

Lestat opens

Lestat Opens in San Francisco Jan. 8 Prior to Spring Bow on
Broadway

By Kenneth Jones08 Jan 2006

Lestat, the new musical that reunites the legendary pop songwriting
team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, collaborating together on a legit musical for the first time, opens in its pre-Broadway tryout Jan. 8, following previews from Dec. 17, 2005.
Before critics viewed the lush, shadowy, romantic world
of the title vampire character (drawn from the novels of Anne Rice and played by Hugh Panaro) at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, the cast and creative team have been refining the show. Jack Noseworthy, who created the role of Armand for a handful of performances, was replaced by Drew Sarich in previews. The run at the Curran continues to Jan. 29.

Elton John ties the knot with longtime partner David Furnish

WINDSOR, England -- Britain's most famous gay couple _ Sir Elton John and Canadian filmmaker David Furnish _ tied the knot Wednesday in a much-anticipated ceremony that capped the first week of legalized civil unions in the United Kingdom.

U2 and Eagles top touring acts in 2005, Elton #7

Let's have a standing O for the old guys.

Of the 10 top-grossing concert tours of 2005, eight of the acts are considered, well, veterans.

U2 had the top-grossing tour, according to year-end figures from Billboard magazine. Bono and company's Vertigo tour grossed $260 million and attracted 3 million people to 90 sellout concerts.

1. U2, $260 million.

2. The Eagles, $117 million.

3. Neil Diamond, $71 million.

4. Kenny Chesney, $63 million (with the second-highest attendance draw, 1.1 million)

5. Paul McCartney, $60 million

6. Rod Stewart, $49 million

7. Elton John, $45.5 million, plus $30 million for his Las Vegas show

8. Dave Matthews Band, $45 million

9. Jimmy Buffett, $41 million

10. Green Day, $36.5 million

Because Billboard ranks only completed tours, the list doesn't include the Rolling Stones, an otherwise likely contender for the top spot.

Pollstar, the concert industry's leading trade magazine, will release its 2005 ranking by month's end.

Pam Anderson sequence dropped, NBC feared it too hot

Pamela Anderson was cut from TV screens after her steamy pole dance proved too hot for viewers.

The curvy star was dropped from an Elton John television special after her performance on a giant screen behind Elton singing his hit 'The Bitch is Back' was deemed too provocative for family viewing.

The show, called 'Elton John: The Red Piano' and filmed at the eccentric singer's show at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace, was broadcast by American TV giant NBC without the song.

Critics, who had watched preview copies of the show, had suggested the accompanying on-stage video of the scantily-dressed star could offend audiences.

Meanwhile, sexy Pammy has confessed she won't be inviting her ex husband Tommy Lee to the family's Christmas dinner - because she wouldn't be able to resist having sex with him.

The beautiful blonde - who has two sons with the Motley Crue drummer - says Tommy makes her think of nothing but sex.

The 38-year-old former 'Baywatch' babe said: 'Tommy still makes me think of sex, not mashed yams and turkey.'

Bernie Taupin nominated for Golden Globe

Bernie nominated for a Golden Globe award (isn't everyone...);

and Taupin's collaboration with Gustavo Santaolalla, "A Love That Will Never Grow Old," is from Ang Lee's cowboy romance Brokeback Mountain, with a performance by country legend Emmylou Harris.

NBC's "Red Piano" a ratings flop

It seems the NBC special "Elton John: The Red Piano" was down 17% from what normally airs in the 8-9PM timeslot, sci-fi drama "Surface." Maybe it had something to do with the predictable song selection that NBC bored us all with. Or maybe its just that music specials generally do poorly these days.

Network TV concert specials haven’t done particularly well this
holiday season. Just ask Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, and now Elton John. His
NBC special “Elton John: The Red Piano” averaged just a 2.5 overnight rating
among viewers 18-49 in the 8 p.m. timeslot last night, down significantly from
“Surface,” which usually airs in that timeslot. “Red Piano” was off 17
percent versus a 3.0 overnight average for the last four original episodes of
“Surface,” and the show had improved in each of those four weeks. The
concert special wasn’t lacking in holiday glitz. NBC used 36 high-definition
cameras to capture John’s Las Vegas stage show. But that wasn’t enough to pique
the interest of viewers, who similarly shunned country stars Faith Hill and
Kenny Chesney last month in separate specials the night before
Thanksgiving

.

"Elton John: The Red Piano" on NBC December 12 -rescheduled

UPDATE: NBC has moved the show to December 12 @ 8PM.
From the AP:

NEW YORK Nov 15, 2005 — Elton John brings his Las Vegas show to television with his first NBC special, "Elton John: The Red Piano," on [Dec. 12. ]

The special will feature John's show from Caesars Palace, incorporating his performance with videos from director David LaChapelle, including two that feature Justin Timberlake as a young Elton John and Pamela Anderson performing a pole dance, NBC announced Monday.

Last December, the rock legend was honored in a star-studded tribute at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

"Hey Hey Johnny, Can't You Come Out To Play...

It was 25 years ago today...

Elton and John Lennon, November 28, 1974.

Elton John partners with Amazon for Katrina charity song

This is from eltonjohn.com;

A message from Elton
6-December-2005

" I am excited to let you know that I have partnered with Amazon.com and will be kicking off a very important effort to help the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Please join me in helping the rebuilding process for those who have lost a place to call home during the holidays, and make a donation to my charity of choice, The Red Cross.

As thanks for your support, beginning December 7, 2005, I would like to give you an exclusive never-been-released recording of a song titled Make Me As You Are that Bernie Taupin and I wrote for the new musical Lestat, where Anne Rice's most beloved vampire character is brought to life on stage.

For more information about Amazon.com’s Holiday A-List for Hurricane Relief program, please visit this link, and be sure to check out my exclusive content on Amazon.com beginning December 7, 2005.

Happy Holidays,

Love
Elton"

John Reid Threatens Tell-all Book.

From everyone's favorite, and not always accurate, music news site Contact Music;

SIR ELTON JOHN's ex manager and lover JOHN REID is threatening to cast a shadow over the pop superstar's 21 December (05) wedding to partner DAVID FURNISH, by releasing a tell-all autobiography about his time with the star.

Reid and John ended a tempestuous 28-year relationship in a messy 2000 court case when the rocker attempted to recover $25.2 million (GBP14 million) he claims he was owed by one of Reid's former employees.

The battle lost him $14.4 million (GBP8 million) in legal fees and exposed his extravagant lifestyle to the public, including the staggering $72 million (GBP40 million) John spent in a 20 month period.

More details about their partnership will enter the public domain if Reid carries out his threat and publishes the memoir.

He recently said of the rocker - who will marry Furnish when gay civil partnerships become legal in Britain - "(He is) a modern day potentate - everything revolves around him."

Billy Elliot wins Evening Standard award as best London musical

LONDON (AP) - Billy Elliot, the crowd-pleasing stage adaptation of the hit film about a miner's son who wants to dance, was honoured Monday as best musical at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Rock legend Elton John, who did the score, was at the ceremony to watch the show beat out rivals Mary Poppins and The Big Life.

Elton John To Join With Life Partner in Civil Union

Legendary musician Elton John has announced that he intends to make an honest man of his longtime partner David Furnish next month in a small civil ceremony to seal their union .

On December 21, laws go into effect in the couple's home of the UK that recognize gay partnerships as legal unions and the two have chosen that date to marry in a civil ceremony.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, thats not good news...

It seems Elton John's new label is being sued for $50,000,000.

In case you didn't know, today's date is

Elton John to duet with Dolly Parton at CMA Awards

Parton, John to Sing at CMA Awards

The Associated Press
November 01. 2005 9:29AM

Dolly Parton and Elton John will sing "Turn the Lights Out When You Leave" at "The 39th Annual CMA Awards," which will air live on CBS from Madison Square Garden on Nov. 15.

"I've always admired Sir Elton's songwriting, musicianship and singing and I'm thrilled to be working with him," Parton said in a statement released Monday by the Country Music Association. "It should be a very passionate performance."

The CMA Awards will be hosted by Brooks & Dunn, who will also perform.

Other confirmed performers include Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley and Lee Ann Womack.

Paul Simon and Willie Nelson will perform and then present the CMA song of the year award.

Elton John / John Lennon 1974 MSG Concert named 19th greatest ever

In a survey of musicians, journalists and records execs, Queen's Live Aid performance from 1985 has been ranked as the "worlds greatest rock gig." Elton John's 1974 Madison Square Garden performance with John Lennon comes in at number 19. You will notice one sorta major band is missing.

Here is the entire list;

1. Queen – Live Aid – July 13, 1985
2. Jimi Hendrix – Woodstock – August 18, 1969
3. The Sex Pistols – Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall – June 4, 1976
4. Bob Dylan – Manchester Free Trade Hall – May 17, 1966 (Dylan goes ‘electric’)
5. David Bowie – Hammersmith Apollo, London – July 3, 1973 (Bowie retires the Ziggy Stardust persona to the surprise of the sold-out crowd and, indeed, the Spiders From Mars, whom he had neglected to tell)
6. Bob Marley – One Love Peace Concert – April 22, 1978
7. Bruce Springsteen – The Roxy – July 7, 1978
8. U2 – Red Rocks – June 5, 1983
9. Rolling Stones – Hyde Park, London – May 7, 1969
10. Radiohead – Glastonbury Festival – June 28, 1997
11. Rock Against Racism – Victoria Park, London – May 7, 1977
12. The Who – Isle of Wight Festival – August 29, 1970
13. Pink Floyd – Earl’s Court, London – June 17, 1981 (‘The Wall’ show, also Pink Floyd’s final UK appearance until this year’s Live8 concert)
14. James Brown – The Apollo, Harlem – October 24, 1962
15. Oasis – Maine Road, Manchester – April 27, 1996 (80,000 people at Britpop’s tenuous height)
16. Beastie Boys – Brixton Academy, London – May 24, 1987 (hip-hop invades the UK)
17. Johnny Cash – San Quentin Prison – August 29, 1969
18. Brian Wilson – Royal Festival Hall – February 20, 2004 (the ‘Smile’ concert)
19. Elton John & John Lennon – Madison Square Garden, New York – November 28, 1974 (John Lennon’s final live performance)
20. Nirvana – Reading Festival – August 30, 1992

Elton John signs on with UMPG

UMPG Signs Elton John

By Chris M. Walsh, N.Y.

Universal Music Publishing Group has signed an exclusive agreement with Elton John and his songwriting collaborator Bernie Taupin, that will put the entire Elton John catalog under one publishing roof.

The two new long-term, exclusive, worldwide agreements are to administer John's and Taupin's post-1974 publishing interests. Each songwriter controls his own interest in the songs they've written, and separate arrangements were entered into with each. UMPG already owns the copyrights in the John/Taupin catalog written up to 1974.

Through the new arrangement with Elton John, the company will administer all his songs written between 1974 and 1992 (as well as new works), with immediate effect, and his songs written between 1993 and 2004 commencing in 2006. More than 250 copyrights are covered by the arrangement.

Through the new arrangement with Bernie Taupin, the company will administer all of his songs written between 1974 and the present, as well as new works written with or recorded by Elton John.

Both deals were previously administered by Warner Chappell.