More on the Rush wedding...

I thought  the guest list was mildly interesting, here is a small sample from People magazine;

Amid dozens of giant bouquets of white roses (and very tight security), reports the Palm Beach Post, guests at the wedding included former Bush adviser Karl Rove; actor-politician Fred Thompson; former Kansas City Royals slugger George Brett; Fox News commentator Sean Hannity; former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani; New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft; former Clinton adviser James Carville and his wife, GOP analyst Mary Matalin; and golfer Tom Watson. A wedding guest also tells PEOPLE that among the others was Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. 

Also kinda curious as to what Elton played and if it was a requested setlist or if Elton just surprised them?

Another cool thing mentioned is that Rush's new bride is a direct descendant of President John Adams.

Elton John performs at Rush Limbaugh's wedding....yes that's what I said!

Rush Limbaugh to wed gal pal Kathryn Rogers today in lavish Palm Beach ceremony

It's wedding bells for Rush Limbaugh – for the fourth time.

The conservative firebrand, 59, will exchange vows Saturday in Florida with Kathryn Rogers – a blond bombshell half his age – in a lavish Hawaiian-themed wedding bash headlined by none-other-than Sir Elton John.

"The Union" is the new album's title...

I like it...

From Pro Sound News:

Tentatively entitled The Union, the new CD is scheduled for release later this year. The duo is also planning a project for Elvis Costello, with whom they last worked in 2008. The new CD will be tracked in Nashville and overdubbed/remixed at The Village using their AML2 monitors.

Elton is afraid of Sarah Palin

Elton John snubs Sarah Palin at TIME 100 gala

Thursday, May 06, 2010
Posted by Janet Kinnaman at 01:35:55 PM

Sir Elton John lost sight of his British etiquette when he snubbed former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin at the TIME 100 gala Wednesday night.

"It's nice to be at an event where you meet some unusual people, like Sarah Palin," said the Brit, immediately following his remark with an eyebrow raise.

When asked who he wanted to meet most at the gala, Elton followed with another jab saying, "Not Sarah Palin but anybody else would be fine."

Elton on Idol....

Here he is singing, wait for it, "Your Song" on Idol Gives back last night.  He sounds good, not much roughness, and he looks thinner...plus no "dahs" except for three I noticed (while you're in the worl-dah and "anyway the things is what I really nee-dah!) but that may be a result of the lyrics not presenting the opportunity;

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Elton: "the best record I've made in years"

The obligatory "it's the best thing I've done in years" quote finally emerges about the upcoming Elton/Leon album due out October 19.  It may be just that but, come on, you all knew it had to be coming soon;

He also saluted another of his inspirations, Leon Russell, who he called one of Americas greatest artists and added that hes been forgotten for too many years. Mentioning an upcoming album, due out Oct. 19, that he recorded with Russell and producer T Bone Burnett, Elton previewed the track Never Too Old and called it the best record Ive made in years.

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A few tidbits...

From an article found on MLive.com;

Johnstone, who's married and has seven children, also credited Elton for being "unbelievably supportive" as a friend over the past 39 years.

"I couldn't ask for more from what I've gotten from this career. The chance to continue bringing music to people is great," he said. "It's kind of scary to think I'm in my late 50s and there's still more that I'd like to do."

So, Johnstone strongly endorses Elton's ongoing recording project with Leon Russell, one of rock's most influential pianists, even though the guitarist hasn't taken part in the T Bone Burnett-produced album.

"I've just been giving my support to it. He (Elton) played me all the stuff recently. It's admirable to do a project like this because it's given Leon a new lease on life," Johnstone said of Russell, 68, who's suffered health problems and recently underwent brain surgery. Cameron Crowe, he said, has been filming some studio sessions.

"I think it's revived him, just the interest they've shown Leon," he said. "It's a beautiful project."

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Elton John to Ryan White in Washington Post

So you think this is a love letter from one dear friend to another? Maybe, but not as much as you'd think...

Elton John's letter to Ryan White, 20 years after his death from AIDS

By Sir Elton John
Sunday, April 25, 2010

Dear Ryan,

Twenty years ago this month, you died of AIDS. I would gladly give my fame and fortune if only I could have one more conversation with you, the friend who changed my life as well as the lives of millions living with HIV. Instead, I have written you this letter.

I remember so well when we first met. A young boy with a terrible disease, you were the epitome of grace. You never blamed anyone for the illness that ravaged your body or the torment and stigma you endured.

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So Elton was on Oprah on Friday and....

He sang "Tiny Dancer" and he continued his extremely annoying habit of emphasizing the last syllable of certains lines;

"Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the ban-dah!"
"Pretty eye-dah, oh pirate smile-dah"
"You'll marry a music man..."
"Ballerina, you must have seen her, she was dancing in the san-dah!"
"And now she's in me, always with me, Tiny Dancer in my hand-dah"

So will he be singing "You're Never Too Old"

Is this the beginning of the promotional push for the new album with Leon Russell?

Sir Elton John To Perform On “Idol Gives Back” Wednesday, April 21

Sir Elton John To Perform On “Idol Gives Back” Wednesday, April 21
Posted on 14 April 2010 by Bill Gorman

via press release:

SIR ELTON JOHN TO PERFORM ON “IDOL GIVES BACK” ON BEHALF OF ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, ON FOX

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Joins Special as Not-For-Profit Partner

As part of his global effort to raise awareness for and to end HIV/AIDS, Sir Elton John will perform on IDOL GIVES BACK, airing Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, on behalf of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox, Jeff Beck & Joss Stone and Mary J. Blige & the All-Star Band will also perform.

It's a greatest hits tour?

I must not be paying close enough attention. I was not aware the tour was called "Rocket Man: Greatest Hits Live." Could the inclusion of "You're Never Too Old" in the setlist be an indication that this will be the official first single from the upcoming album with Leon Russell?



Daily Toreador - Drummer reflects on time spent in Elton John’s band

Drummer reflects on time spent in Elton John’s band
By Alexandra Pedrini

Published: Friday, April 9, 2010

SIR ELTON JOHN’S performance Friday night at the United Spirit Arena will mark the 10-year anniversary of the arena’s opening. He was the first performer at the United Spirit Arena when it opened in 2000.

On the band’s “Rocket Man: Greatest Hits Live” tour, Sir Elton John’s drummer, Nigel Olsson, took time to speak with The Daily Toreador about how the band has changed throughout the years, the different places it has performed and to encourage the audience to use the bathrooms before the show begins.

°How’s the tour been going so far?
So far so good, it’s been quite interesting. We’ve been to Cancun, Mexico, and drove to the big ancient pyramids in Chichen Itza and played in front of pyramids, which was amazing. Then we played Corpus Christi which was great and a pretty long show. It’s quite intense, but we’re looking forward to the rest of the tour. It’s going to be great.

20 years ago...

Today Marks 20th Anniversary Of Ryan White's Death

Today marks 20 years since a Hoosier boy died from AIDS. Ryan White's mother Jeanne White Ginder says she still receives threats from people who do not understand her teen son's public battle to be allowed to go to public school despite having the disease.

An exhibit is on display at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis about White's battle and efforts to get people to understand the plight of those with AIDS. Elton John will attend an April 28th fundraiser at Butler University to raise money for both a Children's Museum exhibit and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Last Updated: Thursday, April 08, 2010 5:56:02 AM

Happy Birthday Elton!

New music at South African concert?

There are reports that Elton played one of the new tracks from the collaboration with Leon Russell at a recent concert in Johannesburg titled "You're Never Too Old". 

Sad news

Elton John, Pink Floyd collaborator Lesley Duncan dies | News | NME.COM

Elton John, Pink Floyd collaborator Lesley Duncan dies

Duncan had been suffering from cerebrovascular disease

Wacko alert!

Report: Georgia gubernatorial candidate Neal Horsley arrested for threats against Elton John

A Georgia gubernatorial candidate was arrested Wednesday for making threats against singer Elton John, the Atlanta-Journal Consitution reports.

Neal Horsley was arrested in Carrollton, Georgia, according to local police.

John, who the paper calls a "part-time Atlantan," angered Horsley when he told Parade magazine that he thought Jesus was gay.

Horsley then penned the Internet diatribe on "Why Elton John Must Die," the paper said.

There is also a video posted on YouTube showing Horsley protesting outside John's

Peachtree Road condominium with a sign that reads "Elton John Must Die."

Media blew it? No surprise there!

Billy Joel Dismisses Rumors He Yanked Tour With Elton John : Rolling Stone

There was never a tour booked this summer! says Billy Joel, responding to Internet claims that he pulled the plug on a summer tour with Elton John. He continues, Obviously, this has the smell of a really juicy story: Why did they cancel? Did Billy and Elton have a fight? Whats going on? The truth is, theres nothing going on. I had made up my mind a long time ago that I wasnt going to work this year.

Super-intelligent Elton John thinks Jesus was gay

See now when he says things like this I don't think its very helpful...then again when he says stupid shit like this it's usually because he has an album coming out and he is trying to generate buzz, and he does have one coming up later this year we think.

This isn't the buzz I would be trying to create;

"I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems," John told the Sunday supplement. "On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don't know what makes people so cruel. Try being a gay woman in the Middle East -- you're as good as dead."

New Album Update

Elton John News: New Album Update - Near Completion

Basic tracks for Bernie and Elton’s new album with Leon Russell have been recently completed and the gang is about to start vocals and overdubs immediately. The trio has cut fifteen songs ranging from Stones like rockers, Country tinged ballads, Gospel and even a Sinatra like weepy similar to something torn from the grooves of “In the Wee Small Hours” As reported before it’s varied in scope and drenched in a rich tapestry of atmospherics. Don’t expect to hear the old EJ/BT sound; this is organic recording unlike anything you’ve heard from our duo before.

More here.  One question.  The trio?  Does that mean Elton, Leon and Bernie?  Will we be hearing some vocals from Bernie?

Will Elton cave to the pressure?

I hope not...

Pro-Palestinian group urges Elton John to cancel upcoming concert in Israel

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) – 1 hour ago

LONDON — A British academic group that supports Palestinian rights is urging singer Elton John to cancel a summer concert in Israel.

The British Committee for Universities of Palestine says in an open letter to John that it is wrong to perform in Israel because of alleged abuses committed during the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip last year.

A spokesman for the singer did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

The committee's letter says John cannot be morally neutral in the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

John is scheduled to play at a Tel Aviv stadium on June 17. Other major stars including Paul McCartney and Madonna have played in Israel in recent years.