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| ELTON JOHN NEWS ARCHIVE: January 2005 |
| Elton ticket frenzy Saturday, January 29 2005 |
Fans of Elton John went crazy on 25 January 2005 when tickets for his concert in Kilmarnock were released.
Such was the demand for briefs for the concert at Rugby Park that the computer at the ticket booking centre at the SECC in Glasgow went into meltdown.
Some callers had to wait for two hours to be answered.
Meanwhile, back at Rugby Park, staff at the Park Hotel have been busy over the last few days preparing corporate packages for the big day on June 26, 2005.
Its expected that all 26,000 seats will sell out well in advance.
Tickets go on general sale on 1 February 2005, but you can still take advantage of priority booking by calling 08700 404010 and quoting EJK 26605. Tickets cost £60, £40, £35.
| Looking for Elton John posters? Thursday, January 27 2005 |
Elton John posters are hard to find these days. We came across an interesting online shop that features reprints of magazine covers (e.g. Rolling Stone) with Elton John. Simple click the "Find it!" button below to have a look.
More Elton John merchandise is available at www.eltonfan.net/shop!
| Sir Elton John has topped Britain's celebrity rich list Thursday, January 27 2005 |
Elton John has been revealed as the richest Briton in showbiz - after earning a staggering £33million in 2004 alone.
Elton - who has landed himself a 75 show, three year deal performing at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, rumoured to be worth £28million - soared from fifth place last year to clinch the top spot.
Although Elton's latest album, "Peachtree Road", fell short of reaching the Top 20, it could not stop the megastar knocking the Rolling Stones from the highest earners spot - and topping the chart by an enormous £13million. Second biggest earners of 2004 were The Osbourne family, who bagged an impressive £20million, managing to top Sharon's fellow 'X Factor' judge Simon Cowell, whose £18million fortune landed him in third place.
Other celebrities who grabbed themselves a top ten spot in the poll by Britain's OK! Magazine, include Sir Paul McCartney, Catherine Zeta Jones, Rod Stewart, Jude Law and Sting, all banking between £12million and £17million in 2004.
| Elton John To Perform For Andy Roddick Charity Wednesday, January 26 2005 |
Sir Elton John has announced he will perform at an intimate dinner for World No. 2 tennis champion Andy Roddick for the 2005 Champions for Charity Gala and Auction.
Roddick will host the event for 380 people at the Four Seasons Ballroom in Austin, Texas on April 26, 2004.
Proceeds from the evening will go to The Andy Roddick Foundation to benefit local children with through The Settlement Home, Austin Children's Hospital and A Glimmer of Hope Foundation.
Tickets for the event are $750 each.
According to Blanche Roddick, chairman of The Andy Roddick Foundation, Andy is extremely involved in charitable activities and has raised more than $1.3 million dollars in just four years for sick, abused and neglected children.
Andy Roddick is currently in Melbourne, Australia playing in the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena.
| Auction: Official Elton John Signed T-shirt Wednesday, January 26 2005 |
Eltonjohn.com is auctioning a unique item on eBay, with all proceeds going to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
They are offering a T-shirt from Elton's December 2004 Hammersmith concerts, signed by Elton, plus every member of his band and every member of the Voice of Atlanta choir.
The Voice of Atlanta choir: Adam McKnight, Mark Ford, Denise Sims, Terrence Davis, Alecia Terry, Todd Honeycutt, L'Tanya Shields and Rosalind McKnight - famously accompanied Elton at these London concerts and on his Peachtree Road album.
The Elton John band comprises Nigel Olsson, (who was drummer in the very first Elton John band way back in 1970), long-term musical director and guitarist Davey Johnstone, and more recent (but none the less revered) members, keyboard player Guy Babylon, bass player Bob Birch, and percussionist John Mahon.
The T-shirt will be authenticated with a letter of provenance from eltonjohn.com, plus a tour brochure from the Hammersmith concerts. All the money raised in this auction will be donated immediately to the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and the outcome of the auction will be publicised on eltonjohn.com.
The auction will end on February 3, 2005 at 12 pm GMT. Bids can be placed at the eBay.co.uk website.
| Elton still tuned in to developments Wednesday, January 26 2005 |
By satellite television, via Watford's own radio station or even for 90 minutes on the telephone, Elton John follows the fortunes of his beloved club.
Even after all these years, the enthusiasm of Watford's most famous son remains undimmed.
He rings manager Ray Lewington every couple of weeks to keep updated on developments at Vicarage Road. "He is very informed about the club," said Lewington. "He won't ask who played or who scored the goals. He knows that already.
"He'll say, 'I hear so and so played, how did it go?' Or, 'when is so and so back from injury?'" He has someone who goes to all the games. He usually phones a day or two after the games."
Watford's president-for-life will not be at tonight's game but is certain to be following the action. "He is such a busy man," said Lewington. "I know he watches us on TV. He is constantly working, so he hasn't watched us live for a while."
Elton is scheduled to be in concert in Las Vegas the night before the Carling Cup final. A transatlantic flight to Cardiff the next morning from Watford's most famous fan would be like old times.
| EJ the DJ Wednesday, January 26 2005 |
Elton John is championing satellite radio in America after playing DJ for the day on the XM network.
Elton, who has recorded a series of new ads for the network, is confident satellite radio is the future - and he couldn't be happier because he's sick of hearing soulless pop when he listens to regular stations.
He says, "I think the radio stations are in for a surprise because in the next three or four years, satellite is going to explode. In my opinion it's the future of radio.
"The whole way the playlists are managed by the radio stations these days is stifling the creativity of young artists looking for airplay.
"I think there should be a rule that stations can play a new single for only 10 weeks, and then they have to drop it. That's the way it was when I first came to America.
"I recently did a DJ show for a station on XM radio; I played everything from DIDO, to NINA SIMONE, to the KILLERS, to RAY CHARLES, ELVIS COSTELLO, MYLO - 20 songs I just wanted to play."
| Sweet chocolate celebs ... and red rosy apples in summer Tuesday, January 25 2005 |
As part of our Centenary celebrations, Cadbury Dairy Milk has linked up with Madame Tussauds to launch the search for the nation's favourite personality to be moulded in the nation's favourite chocolate.
The winner - as voted for by you - will be created by the world-renowned Madame Tussauds studio as its first-ever chocolate statue!
Choose from our Top Ten below to cast your vote, and see your favourite personality immortalised in Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate.
Voting is open for just one month (closing date 18th February 2005) and the result will be announced in May 2005!
The 10 choices
(in alphabetical order by first name)
See Cadbury's website to place your vote.
| Elton John plays Paris opera for tsunami victims Monday, January 24 2005 |
Elton John gave a one-off concert at Paris's Bastille Opera house on January 23, 2005, with proceeds going to the victims of the Asian tsunami tragedy.
Elton's appearance was also part of a plan by Paris Operas boss Gerard Mortier to broaden the fare on offer at the French capital's opera venues.
The sell-out crowd of 2,700 included former French president Valery Giscard d'Estaing and his wife Anne-Aymone, head of the Fondation pour l'Enfance (Foundation for Childhood) charity which was the main beneficiary of the concert.
Also in the crowd, which greeted each familiar song with a standing ovation, were veteran French crooner Charles Aznavour and British ambassador Sir John Holmes.
Elton John, resplendent in a long jacket adorned with an angel, accompanied himself on the piano as he raided his extensive back catalogue during a concert lasting almost three hours, without an interval.
The French charity hopes to use the funds received to rebuild a children's shelter in the streets of Moratuwella, south of the Sri Lankan capital Colombo which was hit by last month's deadly tsunami which killed over 227,000 in several Indian Ocean countries.
Most of the victims were in Indonesia, but Sri Lanka suffered the second-highest death toll with 31,000 people killed and more than 400,000 people still sheltered in public buildings, temples and churches along the island's coast.
Speaking in French, Elton John told the crowd: "Throughout the years, I've done a lot of drugs and alcohol. It's true that I was a nightmare, impossible. For the last 14 years I've been normal. Now my drug is called David".
"I love France," he added after belting through his hit single "I'm still standing" during a third encore.
| Elton John recording single for Tsunami Aid Saturday, January 22 2005 |
Elton John and Andrea Bocelli are joining several other major recording artists to produce a single to aid victims of the Asian tsunami.
Elton was to record his contribution to a cover of Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" at a London studio on January 20, 2004, with Bocelli recording the day after.
The single is an initiative of Sharon Osbourne, wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, and proceeds will go to benefit aid organization Save the Children's operations in tsunami-affected regions.
Additional recordings for the single which also will feature singing from Pink, Rod Stewart, actor Robert Downey Jr., Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne, Gwen Stefani, Phil Collins, Josh Groban and Aerosmith's Steve Tyler are planned in Los Angeles next week, organizers said.
"Tears in Heaven" was recorded by Clapton as a tribute to his 4-year-old son, Conor, who died in 1991 after falling from the window of a New York City apartment.
A release date for the charity single hasn't been set.Related News
Monday, January 17 2005 at 13:37:26
Thursday, January 13 2005 at 13:46:26
| Hollywood stages Tsunami telethon Monday, January 17 2005 |
Hollywood stars and recording artists from Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis to Madonna and Elton John have put their wattage to work, raising money for victims of the Asian tsunami disaster in an American broadcast telethon on January 15, 2004.
"Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope" aired on NBC in a live two-hour broadcast in the East as well as a web cast, with a taped version showing in other areas and phone lines staying open through the night for contributions.
The phones were manned by many of Hollywood's A-list, including Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicolas Cage, Johnny Depp, Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Ray Romano, supermodel Cindy Crawford and George Clooney, one of the telethon's main organisers.
Other stars such as Robert De Niro, Kevin Spacey, Clint Eastwood, Renee Zellweger, Goldie Hawn, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and Halle Berry appeared, some from locations such as New York and London, to issue appeals for donations or introduce segments recapping the calamity that hit South Asia on December 26. Many also worked the phones during the show.
No numbers were available by early Sunday on the amounts pledged, but NBC officials said the phone lines (1-800-HELPNOW) had been jammed throughout the show, with the hosts appealing to viewers to use the web site (www.redcross.org) to make donations if their calls did not get through.
"Tonight Show" host Jay Leno acted as a sort of emcee for the program put on by NBC Universal and the American Red Cross, wandering amid the stars on the soundstage at Universal Studios and hawking items from the telethon such as a coffee mug signed by the celebrities or a telephone used during the program, for pledges of $2,000 (1,070 pounds) to $3,000.
The show began with Morgan Freeman relating tales of survival and hope from the tsunami, followed by Madonna's performance of John Lennon's "Imagine" live from London.
Other musical performers included Nelly, Annie Lennox, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, and Elton John, who performed "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." The program closed with Diana Ross singing her hit "Reach Out and Touch."
Two former presidents -- George Bush and Bill Clinton -- also put in a joint appearance. They were appointed by President George W. Bush to spearhead the charitable effort in the United States.
Also putting in appearances were Jamie Foxx, Naomi Watts, Hugh Grant, James Woods, Annette Bening, Uma Thurman, Quentin Tarantino, Kelsey Grammer, Rob Lowe, Robert Downey Jr., Danny De Vito and Rhea Perlman and Drew Barrymore and Andy Garcia. Willis appeared with his three daughters.
A controversial note was injected earlier this week when Fox News conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly said that the money might not all be used to aid tsunami victims. Actor Clooney urged O'Reilly to participate, which he ended up doing in a brief appearance, appealing for contributions.
A Red Cross executive assured contributors that 94 percent of the money would go directly to disaster victims.
The program was also carried on cable channels USA, Bravo, Trio, SCI-FI, MSNBC and CNBC, as well as Telemundo and PAX.
| Sir Elton's treat for pub dogs Sunday, January 16 2005 |
Elton John has spend $19,000 (GBP10,000) on diamond-encrusted collars for the resident dogs at his local pub.
Staff at the LEATHERNE BOTTEL, near the rocker's Oxfordshire, England, home, were stunned when Elton and David arrived with the TIFFANY accessories.
A pub regular tells British newspaper the DAILY STAR, "Elton loves the dogs a lot. He always plays with them when he comes in so he thought it would be a nice idea to get the collars for them."
| Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope Thursday, January 13 2005 |
Scheduled performers include Elton John, Annie Lennox, Nelly, Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Maroon 5, Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, Mary J. Blige, Lenny Kravitz, ...
... John Mayer, Kenny Chesney, India.Arie, Tom Jones, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Brian Wilson and Gloria Estefan. Others scheduled to appear include Halle Berry, Kevin Spacey, Usher, George Clooney, Uma Thurman, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Bruce Willis, Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman, Tim Robbins, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes, Meg Ryan, Clint Eastwood, Renee Zellweger, Ray Romano, Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman and Robert Downey, Jr.
In response to aid victims of the tsunami tragedy, NBC Universal Television Group airs a live benefit special across its broadcast and cable platforms on January 15, 2005, 08:00 pm - 10:00 pm ET.
The hour-long, music and celebrity driven special will air on many NBC Universal networks, with phone lines remaining open throughout the evening.
NBC Universal has partnered with the American Red Cross on its benefit special. All viewers will be encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross International Response Fund in support of tsunami relief through its website and donation hotline. The humanitarian needs from this catastrophic tsunami are immense and will continue to emerge over the next weeks, months and even years.
The immediate American Red Cross focus is on getting lifesaving help to millions affected by the tsunamis. This includes distributing culturally appropriate food like rice, canned fish and lentils to millions of people. Safe water and sanitation is a priority, and the American Red Cross will be rehabilitating water and sanitation systems to ensure that people have clean water and waste disposal systems.
Check local listings!
| Elton John and George Michael 'make up' Wednesday, January 12 2005 |
Feuding ex-pop pals Elton John and George Michael have reportedly settled their differences and are ready to appear together on a British TV comedy show.
The pair fell out after Elton criticised Michael for never performing live and labelled his career "disappointing" during a magazine interview.
The former WHAM! hitmaker snapped back, "Most of what Elton thinks he knows about my life is pretty much limited to the gossip he hears on what you would call the 'gay grapevine'. Elton John knows very little about George Michael, and that's a fact."
But the pair appear to have reconciled - they are both expected to make cameo appearances in a charity version of hit comedy show LITTLE BRITAIN, playing friends of gay character DAFYDD.
A source says, "We like the idea of them being friends, so it's funny to see them agreeing with each other after what each one has said."Related News
Friday, December 17 2004 at 04:38:37
Wednesday, December 15 2004 at 09:59:42
Wednesday, December 1 2004 at 14:14:14
| Elton John's ball raises R7m to combat Aids Monday, January 10 2005 |
Aids projects will receive a boost this year after more than R7-million (approx. 1.15 million US dollars) was raised by the Elton John Aids Foundation at a charity ball on January 8, 2005.
Elton John and his partner, David Furnish, hosted the ball at Vergelegen estate to raise funds for the foundation, which distributes money to international Aids projects.
The event was attended by 500 guests, among them Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and South African and international celebrities.
On January 9, 2005 the organising company, Cowley Nel and Associates, declined to release the names of those who had attended the event, saying they were the "property of the foundation".
Funds were raised through ticket sales, sponsorship and an auction that included a bronze bust of Tutu, which fetched R550 000 (USD 90,500). Other items included two cars autographed by Elton.
The auction raised more than R2,88-million (USD 475,000) and pledges by 100 guests added up to R520 000 (USD 85,000). An anonymous donation of R500 000 (USD 82,000) was also made.
In a statement released on January 9, 2005, Elton made a commitment to continue the foundation's funding to South Africa.
"Based on this trip, I have to say that South Africa must be one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited," he said. "The Elton John Aids Foundation is committed to raising money and distributing funds in SA for as long as the pandemic exists."
He would like to host the ball here again if there were enough sponsors, Elton said. Tutu also took to the stage. He praised the foundation for its contribution to the country over the past 10 years.
| Tsunami recording Saturday, January 8 2005 |
Sir Elton John, Rod Stewart and Robbie Williams have all signed up to record a charity record to raise money for the victims of the Asian tsunami.
The trio of stars have all been confirmed for the project by 'X Factor' judge Sharon Osbourne, who is in the process of signing up musicians to record a version of Eric Clapton's classic hit 'Tears in Heaven'.
Other big names who have already agreed to perform on the single include Aerosmith frontman Stephen Tyler, former No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani and Sharon's husband Ozzy and daughter Kelly.
Clapton himself will not feature on the record - originally released shortly after the death of his four-year-old son Conor, who fell from the window of his high-rise New York apartment - but was happy to give permission for the song to be used.
Sharon said: "We approached Eric and his lawyers and everyone said yes straight away - we could not think of a more appropriate song."Related News
Sunday, January 2 2005 at 08:42:30
| Top 25 Brit Songs Ever Revealed Tuesday, January 4 2005 |
David Bowie, Queen and Robbie Williams head a shortlist of the best 25 British pop songs since 1977.
A panel of music industry and media experts drew up the list for the Brits 25 Best Song Award - and can expect flak after leaving out a host of big names. The list - which will see Radio 2 listeners vote for their fave song - has been launched to mark a quarter of a century of the Brit Awards.
Classics to have made the cut include Bowie's "Heroes", "London Calling" by The Clash, "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "Angels" by Robbie Williams.
More recent hits such as "Dry Your Eyes" by The Streets and Will Young's "Leave Right Now" also made the final 25.
The five most popular as voted for by music fans will be announced later this month with the overall winner revealed on February 9, 2005.
Colin Martin, editor of BBC Radio 2 Music, who sat on the panel, said: "British chart music is a massive part of our popular culture and looking back at what has been produced since the Brits first began in 1977 has highlighted what a wealth of outstanding talent we have produced.
"Distilling over a quarter century of hits to a list of 25 to be voted on by Radio 2 listeners has been one of the most difficult tasks I have ever shared in."
The 25 songs to be voted on are:
Heroes - David Bowie
We Are The Champions - Queen
Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush
Night Fever - Bee Gees
London Calling - The Clash
Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
That's Entertainment - The Jam
I Don't Want To Talk About It - Rod Stewart
Look of Love - ABC
Golden Brown - The Stranglers
True - Spandau Ballet
Careless Whisper - George Michael
Holding Back The Years - Simply Red
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
Sacrifice - Elton John
Unfinished Sympathy - Massive Attack
Why - Annie Lennox
Fields of Gold - Sting
Kiss From A Rose - Seal
Wonderwall - Oasis
Angels - Robbie Williams
Yellow - Coldplay
Babylon - David Gray
Leave Right Now - Will Young
Dry Your Eyes - The Streets
| Just married? Tuesday, January 4 2005 |
British tabloids report that Elton John has formally exchanged vows with long-time partner David Furnish.
Elton's spokesperson has not commented on the reports that appeared in several papers. The reports say that the couple had a commitment ceremony at the home of David and Victoria Beckham on 23 December 2004.
Elton and David were at the home of the famed soccer star and the former Spice Girl for the christening of their two sons, Brooklyn and Romeo. Preceding the event the papers speculated that Elton and David would also exchange vows, but those reports were denied by Elton's spokesperson.
British gossip columnists said the denial was a smokescreen to keep the media away. Reportedly Elton and David left the function with a "just married" sign in the back of their car.
One paper quoting an unnamed source said, "They think it is funny to stir things up. They won't confirm or deny anything. They want to keep people guessing."
The Sun quotes the singer as saying the civil ceremony will be a simple affair. "We don't want to turn it into a circus," he told the Sun. "We just feel that any relationship that has lasted for as long as ours deserves recognition, protection and respect."
Last month, shortly after the British government passed legislation to create a domestic partner registry, giving same-sex couples many of the rights enjoyed by married couples, Elton announced that he and Furnish would officially become domestic partners under the law sometime in 2005.Related News
Friday, December 24 2004 at 06:02:29
| Pop Stars for Victims in Asia Sunday, January 2 2005 |
Some big music stars - including Cliff Richard, Elton John, Jamie Cullum, Boy George, Ronan Keating, and The Bee Gees - unite for a charity single to help rais funds for the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Sir Cliff has already recorded his vocal part. Boy George and opera star Russell Watson are going to sing on the song, entitled "Grief Never Grows Old". Ronan Keating may contribute from a studio recording in also Switzerland.
Other stars will surely be on the single "Grief Never Grows Old": surviving members of the Bee Gees, Jamie Cullum, Chris Rea, Elton John and Olivia Newton-John.
The sad song was written by Radio DJ Mike Read before the tragedy on Boxing Day, but thought it was too gloomy to release. But now he plans to have it recorded by a collective of pop stars under the name One World Project.
He said the song was a slow ballad and would work with around 10 singers, rather than a "singalong" like the Band Aid 20 single raising money for famine relief in Africa.
All the backing track has already been recorded, and organisers hope it can be finished within the next week to get it into record stores as quickly as possible.
The funds will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which is co-ordinating the British relief effort, with the idea the day after Boxing Day.
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