Back to Headlines

Tony-winning musical The Lion King celebrates its 8,000th Broadway performance on January 21, 2017.

Based on Disney's 1994 animated musical, The Lion King first opened its doors at the New Amsterdam Theatre on October 15, 1997, with an opening night on November 13, 1997. One of the longest-running shows in Broadway history, the production is currently playing at the Minskoff Theatre.

The Lion King's Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from The Lion King film along with three new songs by Elton and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, and Hans Zimmer. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who codirected the movie, and Irene Mecchi, who cowrote the film's screenplay.

The musical won six 1998 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan), and Best Direction of a Musical.

Productions of The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway, London's West End, Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, Mexico City, Shanghai, Scheveningen, and on tour across North America, for a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played over one-hundred cities in ninteen countries, The Lion King's worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.

Back to Headlines

When “Today” host Tamron Hall posted a mysterious pic last week in a 1970s costume and wig with “details coming soon,” speculation began over what the upcoming project could be.

PageSix.com has learned that the cast of “Today,” including Matt Lauer and Al Roker, were all in period garb to shoot a video for a contest created by Elton for his fans to make clips to his classic songs.

They hear the NBC anchors filmed a choreographed video to “Bennie and the Jets” at the Cutting Room. A source said, “The hosts — who are all Elton fans — were 1970s roadies backstage at an Elton John concert.”

The video’s being revealed January 23, 2017 on “Today.”

Related News

Back to Headlines

Elton and David will host the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 25th annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on February 26, 2017, at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles.

Sponsored by BVLGARI, Neuro Drinks and Diana Jenkins, the event will feature a sumptuous dinner designed by Chef Gordon Ramsay, a live telecast of the 89th Academy Awards, followed by a live auction conducted by Alexander Gilkes of Paddle8, a special musical performance, and dancing until dawn.

For more information, visit ejaf.org.

Back to Headlines

If you've been keeping an eye on Bright Light Bright Light of late, you'll have noticed he's been on a bit of an 80s vibe of late.

His latest album Choreography is inspired by the sheen and optimism of movies from the decade, and one song in particular that nails the sentiment is the collection's latest spin-off "Running Back To You".

On January 17, 2017 he unveiled the song's accompanying music video, which is art directed by Scissor Sisters' Del Marquis, while the track itself features his friend and mentor Elton John on backing vocals.



Officialcharts.com had a few questions for Bright Light (aka Rod Thomas) about it:

Hello Bright Light Bright Light! What's Running Back To You all about and what are you trying to get across in the video?
"The song's about the scene in a mid-to-low budget '80s film where the strong female lead realises she can't shake the man she's fallen for," he explained. "She gets up, walks out into the rain: her make up runs, her hair and shoulder pads flatten, and she looks a mess, but she's wearing really fabulous shoes.

"For the video I worked with Del Marquis of Scissor Sisters who art directed it, and Santiago Felipe who does lots of Björk's live photography, and it was choreographed by Steven Hoggett (Harry Potter & The Cursed Child, Once) who is AMAZING.

"I wanted to make a video where a normal and empty world gets populated by these imposing and weird dream-like things until in the end it felt like being inside a neon snow globe, to give that idea of being trapped inside your own mind and unable to escape a particular thought and feeling. Plus I wanted to do a big group choreo number, and it was the most fun thing in the world."

You've collaborated with your friend and mentor Elton John once again - this time he's on backing vocals. What's he like to work with?
As always, amazing. We were only supposed to be doing [previous single] All In The Name initially, but we did his vocals so quickly for that, I said, 'well, I have an idea...' and we added him to Symmetry Of Two Hearts and to this one doing backing vocals, which is something different again and so fun.

"He has such a gorgeous tone to his voice, and real power, plus for me I heard his songs everywhere in the 80s, which is the era I was referencing with this track, so having him on the song made perfect sense. He's so much fun."

Finally, how many sparklers were used in the video?!
".....Six! And only because two of them didn't light properly. I wish we'd had a few more interns on the shoot, it would have been fun to fill the screen with more sparks!"

Back to Headlines

Bounding around the stage in his sparkling jacket and sunglasses, a beaming Elton looked in fine form during his latest public appearance on January 14, 2017.

Just days earlier he had pulled out of a forthcoming show in Dubai on January 20, 2017 citing urgent ‘medical conditions’. But he performed at the London wedding of a Russian billionaire’s granddaughter for a reported £1million fee.

Some on social media have been sceptical, questioning his decision to pull out of the gig – especially given that his money-spinning residency in Las Vegas on February 7 and 8, 2017 is still due to go ahead. Posting on his Facebook page, fan Keith Hayward wrote: "How come Elton John can play at the wedding of a Russian fashion designer but was too ill to play for Autism in Dubai? Just asking."

Meanwhile Helen Farmer tweeted: "I thought Elton John was too ill to perform in Dubai? Yet fine to perform at oligarch’s granddaughter’s wedding..."

Ken Guy posted on Twitter: ‘Elton John has cancelled his show in Dubai TWICE due to “illness”. Still playing Vegas though. Ticket sales?’ A Dubai-based blogger added: "Looks like Sir Elton got a much much much better offer than being in Dubai!"

However, it is understood that Elton will have minor surgery later this week, leaving him unable to travel to the Middle East on doctor’s orders. Happily, he hopes to be fit enough to perform at Caesars Palace for his popular The Million Dollar Piano show in Las Vegas, for which he earns around £330,000 a night.

It is the second time the star has pulled out of the concert in Dubai. He first withdrew when it was originally scheduled for December 15, 2016, blaming flu. Promotion company 117 announced the rescheduled showcase would be held on January 20, 2017. But last week they once again announced it would have to be rearranged because of the singer’s health, pushing the new date back to December 8, 2017. The statement read: "Although not of a seriously threatening nature, he has been advised by his doctors to schedule a medical procedure to treat his condition immediately."

Fans, many paying upwards of £180 a ticket, have been promised a refund if they cannot make the rescheduled date. Aided by the Dubai government, Autism Rocks has built a 21,000-seat arena to boost awareness of autism through charitable music events. All funds raised by the registered charity go to the Autism Research Trust, which supports research by the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University.

Related News

Back to Headlines

Russian billionaire spends £3.5million hiring Sir Elton John and Mariah Carey for his granddaughter’s wedding.

The pop legends were highlights of a nine-hour extravaganza as 19-year-olds Irene Kogan and Daniel Kenvey wed on January 14, 2017.

They topped a star-studded bill booked by Irene’s grandad, Russian businessman Valery Kogan, for the celebrations at London’s Landmark hotel. Mariah, thought to charge £2.5million to perform, was flown in from the US at the young couple’s request. She dedicated her 2005 love ballad We Belong Together to them.

Earlier, Elton – who charges no less than £1million – kicked off the nine-hour celebrations with a 12-song set. Irene wept with joy on her hubby’s shoulder on the dancefloor when he dedicated his hit "Tiny Dancer" to her. Elton said: “This is for Irene. She’s not that tiny, but I know she’s a really good dancer because I can see her down there.”

Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas made a speech wishing the couple well. There were also performances from a string of Russian stars, before producer Mark Ronson ended the evening with a DJ set.

Back to Headlines

Elton John: The Cut, supported by YouTube, is giving undiscovered creative talent from all over the world the chance to create official music videos for three iconic songs (Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer & Bennie And The Jets) and entries are open now!

Eltonjohn.com reportes: The judging panel will be comprised of Elton John, his writing partner Bernie Taupin, Dreamworks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, Grammy Award Winner Melina Matsoukas, and Barry Jenkins, writer and director of Golden Globes Best Picture (Drama) 'Moonlight'.

The ‘Moonlight’ director commented “Music is core to my films and to my creative process. ‘The Cut’ is so exciting to me because it combines a number of things I’m passionate about. As a filmmaker whose first film was made with the DIY tools of digital cinema, I love how the democratization of the filmmaking process and platforms like YouTube enables people to tell stories that in previous generations simply could not be told. I hope to see ideas for this competition that push boundaries and defy expectations.”

The three winning directors will see their ideas professionally produced and premiered on YouTube in summer of 2017.

Subscribe to Elton's YouTube channel to see Elton and Bernie deliver unique insight into the inspiration behind these iconic songs, along with all the latest content from The Cut. You can also find the latest news and updates by following Elton on Twitter and Facebook.

To find out more about Elton John: The Cut Supported by YouTube, and how to enter, please visit eltonjohn.com/thecut.

Back to Headlines

Other than managing England, Taylor’s highlights were arguably leading both Villa and Watford to runners-up spots in the old First Division.

Elton said in a statement:

"I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear about Graham's passing.

He was like a brother to me. We shared an unbreakable bond since we first met. We went on an incredible journey together and it will stay with me forever. He took my beloved Watford from the depths of the lower leagues to unchartered territory and into Europe. We have become a leading English club because of his managerial wisdom and genius.

This is a sad and dark day for Watford. The club and the town. We will cherish Graham and drown our sorrows in the many brilliant memories he gave us.

I love you Graham. I will miss you very much.
My thoughts go out to Rita, Joanne, Karen and the whole Taylor family."

Back to Headlines

Elton was meant to be performing in Dubai on December 15, 2016, he cancelled that date because of the flu, rescheduling for January 20, 2017.

But now he has postponed again, announcing a new date of December 8, 2017: so yes, almost a year after the initial date. Why? Well, promoters 117 Live say that “he has been advised by his doctors to reschedule a medical procedure to treat his condition immediately”, but that that condition “is not of a seriously threatening nature”.

There are no news reports or any official word on what the medical procedure is. Elton has performed live recently, singing a tribute to the late George Michael at a concert in Vegas, and he is still due to return to Las Vegas to perform in early February 2017.

Related News

Back to Headlines

It's hard to imagine TODAY without Matt Lauer — and it's easy to see why. With the show on January 6, 2017, Matt's officially been an anchor in Studio 1A for 20 years!

Elton John, Tom Hanks, Jon Hamm and Annette Bening are among the celebrities who sent their regards — and barbs — Matt's way.

Back to Headlines

ED Sheeran has delivered on his 2017 rock tease with two new songs — "Castle On the Hill and Shape Of You" — surfacing on January 6, 2017.

They are taken from his third album "÷" or "Divide" and showcase two very different styles.

"Castle On the Hill" is a classic homesick song, Sheeran sings about listening to Elton John’s "Tiny Dancer" as he drives at speed to get back to Framingham, Suffolk where he grew up for a reality check and a chance to bond with people who knew him before he got famous.

Back to Headlines

The "Wonderful Crazy Year" fan survey finished in December 2016, and now it's the time to reveal to you the results of the fourth (and final) quarter.

You can view two lists, one for the average scores of the albums and one for the individual recordings.

Some survey answers had to be deleted again, because they were made by the same person, but no more editing has been done. Just like last time, you can get a good direction where the preference of the masses is, but the scores are not absolute.

Keep your eyes open for the additional surveys! The first of them will open on January 8, 2017. All the older surveys will also remain open! You can still vote and a full analysis of all survey results will be published in the end! We will gladly acquire more survey answers, so that the final results will be more realistic!

After the additional surveys have been opened, we will keep all surveys open, and the complete results will be released on March 25, 2017, to celebrate Elton's 70th birthday! Reminders will be published before that, to make sure everyone willing to answer the surveys have submitted their answers!

Wonderful Crazy Year Calendar Weeks 39-50:

Average scores for the albums:

1. The Captain And The Kid 7,93
    Songs From The West Coast 7,93
3. The Union 7,70
4. Wonderful Crazy Night 7,40
5. One Night Only 7,38
6. The Diving Board 7,16
7. Good Morning To The Night 7,02
8. Peachtree Road 6,82
9. The Road To El Dorado 6,65
10. Aida 6,26
11. Gnoemo And Juliet 5,84
12. The Muse 4,64

Average scores for the recordings:

1. This Train Don't Stop There Anymore 8,94
2. The Captain And The Kid 8,79
3. Original Sin 8,70
4. Gone To Shiloh [Feat. Neil Young] 8,62
5. The Bridge 8,40
6. Mandalay Again 8,37
7. The Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes 8,35
8. Tinderbox 8,30
9. Hey Ahab 8,22
10. American Triangle 8,21
     The Open Chord 8,21
12. I Want Love 8,20
13. When Love Is Dying 8,13
14. Blues Never Fade Away 8,11
15. England And America 8,08
     Home Again 8,08
17. And The House Fell Down 8,03
18. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [Live from One Night Only] 7,99
19. 5th Avenue 7,98
20. I Should Have Sent Roses 7,97
21. Oceans Away 7,92
22. Voyeur 7,87
23. If It Wasn't For Bad 7,85
24. Electricity 7,84
     The North Star 7,84
26. Oscar Wilde Gets Out 7,83
     Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long, Long Time) [Live from One Night Only] 7,83
28. The Best Part Of The Day 7,80
29. Mansfield 7,78
30. Don't Go Breaking My Heart [Live With Kiki Dee from One Night Only] 7,74
31. A Good Heart 7,72
     I'm Still Standing [Live from One Night Only] 7,72
33. The Diving Board 7,70
     Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody) 7,70
35. Look Ma, No Hands 7,68
     Postcards From Richard Nixon 7,68
     The Wasteland 7,68
38. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On me [Live from One Night Only] 7,67
39. Daniel [Live from One Night Only] 7,66
     Old '67 7,66
41. Across The River Thames 7,65
42. Birds 7,64
43. Candle In The Wind [Live from One Night Only] 7,63
     I Must Have Lost It On The Wind 7,63
45. Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes 7,62
46. Written In The Stars [With LeAnn Rimes] 7,58
47. In The Hands Of Angels 7,57
     Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way (NYC) 7,57
49. Looking Up 7,55
50. Someday Out Of The Blue 7,54
51. The Bitch Is Back [Live from One Night Only] 7,53
     The Emperor's New Clothes 7,53
     Home Again [Live from The Diving Board Deluxe Edition] 7,53
54. Good Morning To The Night 7,50
55. Bennie And The Jets [Live from One Night Only] 7,49
     Philadelphia Freedom [Live from One Night Only] 7,49
57. Blue Wonderful 7,41
     Guilty Pleasure 7,41
59. A Dream Come True 7,40
60. Hello Hello 7,39
61. Porch Swing In Tupelo 7,38
62. Jimmie Rodgers' Dream 7,37
     Monkey Suit 7,37
64. Sacrifice [Live from One Night Only] 7,36
65. The New Fever Waltz 7,35
66. Crocodile Rock [Live from One Night Only] 7,34
67. Dark Diamond 7,32
68. El Dorado 7,31
     Turn The Lights Out When You Leave 7,31
70. All That I'm Allowed 7,30
71. The Ballad Of Blind Tom 7,28
     Wonderful Crazy Night 7,28
73. The New Fever Waltz [Live from The Diving Board Deluxe Edition] 7,27
     Weight Of The World 7,27
75. Answer In The Sky 7,24
76. Candlelit Bedroom 7,23
     Friends Never Say Goodbye 7,23
     Perfect Love 7,23
     Sad 7,23
80. Sixty 7,20
81. In The Name Of You 7,19
82. The Panic In Me 7,19
83. Can You Feel The Love Tonight? [Live from One Night Only] 7,16
84. Hearts Have Turned To Stone 7,14
     Just Like Noah's Ark 7,14
     My Kind Of Hell 7,14
87. Claw Hammer 7,12
     There's No Tomorrow 7,12
89. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) [Live With Anastacia from One Night Only] 7,11
90. Your Song [With Alessandro Safina] 7,10
91. I've Got 2 Wing 7,09
     My Heart Dances 7,09
93. Love Her Like Me 7,08
94. Free And Easy 7,06
     Love Builds A Garden 7,06
     Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher 7,06
97. Can't Stay Alone Tonight 7,05
     Without Question 7,05
99. Hey Armadillo 7,04
98. Tambourine 7,03
99. The Letter 7,01
100. Mexican Vacation (Kids In The Candlelight) [Live from The Diving Board Deluxe Edition] 7,00
       Phoenix 7,00
       The Trail We Blaze 7,00
103. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues [Live With Mary J. Blige from One Night Only] 6,94
104. It's Getting Dark In Here 6,90
105. Foreign Fields 6,89
106. Amneris' Letter [Shania Twain] 6,87
107. Karmatron 6,86
       My Elusive Drug 6,86
109. A Town Called Jubilee 6,82
110. My Quicksand 6,80
111. Gauguin Gone Hollywood 6,79
112. Black Icy Stare 6,78
113. Mexican Vacation (Kids In The Candlelight) 6,77
114. Dream # 3 6,73
       Queen Of Cities 6,73
       Telegraph To The Afterlife 6,73
117. Take This Dirty Water 6,68
118. Too Many Tears 6,68
119. Sad Songs (Say So much) [Live With Bryan Adams from One Night Only] 6,67
120. Your Song [Live With Ronan Keating from One Night Only] 6,63
121. The Muse 6,59
122. 16th Century Man 6,57
       Trust Me 6,57
124. Orchestral Finale 6,55
       A Step Too Far [With Heather Hedley & Sherie Scott] 6,55
126. Teardrops [With Lulu] 6,51
127. Original Sin [Junior's Earth Mix] 6,50
128. How I Know You [James Taylor] 6,43
129. I Can't Keep This From You 6,41
130. The Messenger [With Lulu] 6,39
131. Elaborate Lives [Heather Hedley] 6,33
       I Know The Truth [With Janet Jackson] 6,33
133. Freaks In Love 6,32
134. Children's Song 6,29
135. Dream # 1 6,27
       Dream # 2 6,27
137. It's Tough To Be A God 6,22
138. No Monsters 6,21
139. They Call Her The Cat 6,11
140. Your Song [With Alessandro Safina][Almighty Mix] 6,10
141. I Stop And I Breathe 6,09
142. Easy As Life [Tina Turner] 6,03
143. Another Pyramid [Sting] 6,01
144. My Strongest Suit [Spice Girls] 6,00
145. Crocodile Rock [With Nelly Furtado] 5,98
146. Like Father Like Son [Lenny Kraviz] 5,91
147. The Gods Love Nubia [Kelly Price] 5,75
148. Cheldorado 5,62
149. Not Me [Boys II Men]5,57
150. Wonders Of The New World 5,56
151. Enchantment Passing Through [Dru Hill] 5,55
152. The Muse [Remix] 5,53
153. Gnomeo And Juliet 5,51
154. The Brig 5,46
155. Dandelions 5,39
156. Bennie And The Bunnies 5,33
157. Terrafirminator 5,08
158. The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room 5,96
159. Driving Home 4,90
160. Better Have A Gift 4,88
161. Multiple Personality 4,82
162. The Cookie Factory 4,76
       Take A Walk With me 4,76
       What Should I Do? 4,76
165. Driving To Jack's 4,73
       Walk Of Shame 4,73
167. The Aquarium 4,71
       Back To Paramount 4,71
       Driving To Universal 4,71
       Meet Christine 4,71
       Steven Redecorates 4,71
       The Wrong Gift 4,71
173. Are We Laughing? 4,69
174. To The Guesthouse 4,67
175. Sarah Escapes 4,67

Related News

Back to Headlines

As we know, 2017 is going to be a special year for Elton and so it seems right that the fans do something to recognise the occasion.

As a result, a small project has been proposed, which will celebrate both Elton John’s 70th birthday - and the 50th anniversary of his songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin. The “50 Years of Words and Music” project aims to see a select group of Elton fans record and release an original song to commemorate Elton's career/partnership with Bernie.

This will strictly NOT be a commercial endeavour - the ambition would be to release the song on a platform like iTunes/YouTube (and spread it as far and wide as possible!) but not with a view to profiting from the exercise. This is for fun, and to do something in the spirit of celebration. If the project takes off, the idea is that it will be a professional recording and that we would aim to produce it in as high quality as possible.

As a tribute to Elton and Bernie, fans will create the track in the same way that their work has always been crafted: lyrics first, music second, then the recording, followed by the artwork, promotion and release. Anyone involved will be working individually (as Elton and Bernie do) and no two people will be in the same room at the same time as they work - although, for obvious reasons, they will liaise closely over email etc. as everything comes together.

Ground rules will still apply – if there are hundreds of expressions of interest, the organisers will make a judgement call on who to task with specific areas. It is also important to point out that this will be undertaken on a voluntary basis and no one will be getting paid. Individuals will retain ownership of their own creative works.

There are various aspects to this, and ways in which fans can become involved if they want to, and these are listed below. Please drop an email to 50yearsofwordsandmusic@gmail.com if you would like to get involved with, or have experience of, ANY of the following things:

1a) Writing the music / performing the vocals - ideally, this will be a piano-based track, but that isn't an absolute essential - don't hold back if you play another instrument. If you are able to compose *and* provide the vocals, that is a plus, but this can also be two separate people.

1b) Lyrics – A draft set of lyrics have already been penned, but other expressions of interest from writers are welcomed.

2) Designing the "cover" artwork – although the organisers don’t envisage a physical single release of this track, we hope that one Elton fan will be involved to design a piece of “cover art” to accompany the song.

3) Professionally recording the track - whether you have access to the right equipment, or have links with those who do, it would be great to hear from you.

4) Experience of "launching"/releasing a track on any of the major music platforms - YouTube, iTunes etc - or a willingness to liaise with them.

5) Last but not least... any links with music websites, radio stations, or other means and mechanisms for advertising and spreading the word when the track is ready to launch!

In your Inbox message, you will need to include a sample or two of your work where appropriate (be it design work, music files, samples of your vocals etc.) along with any other pertinent details. Every submission will receive a response, even if the applicant is unsuccessful. Please also remember to include where you are from in your message (country, state etc).

The organisers hope that, if we are really lucky and find the right people, we might even end up with another Elton/Bernie songwriting partnership!

Back to Headlines