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Elton's ex manager and lover John Reid is threatening to cast a shadow over the pop superstar's wedding to partner David Furnish, by releasing a tell-all autobiography about his time with Elton.

Reid and Elton ended a tempestuous 28-year relationship in a messy 2000 court case when Elton 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) Elton 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."

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Billy Elliot danced his way to best musical at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards on November 28, 2005. Elton John, who wrote the music, and director Stephen Daldry were at the Savoy to pick up the prize.

The best actor and actress awards went to Simon Russell Beale for The Philanthropist and Harriet Walter for Mary Stuart.

Billy Elliot, about a Tyneside boy who dreams of being a ballet dancer, leapt above Mary Poppins and The Big Life to capture the highly coveted prize and crown a remarkable transition from film to stage.

Elton, Daldry, lyricist Lee Hall and executive producer David Furnish were presented with the award by Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, guest principal at The Royal Ballet. The next step for Billy Elliot, which continues to play to full houses at the Victoria Palace, is to transfer to Broadway.

Here is a complete list of the winners:

Best Play
The Home Place by Brian Friel, Gate Theatre, Dublin/Comedy Theatre

Best Musical
Billy Elliot, Victoria Palace Theatre

Best Actor
Simon Russell Beale, The Philanthropist, Donmar Warehouse

Best Actress
Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart, Donmar Warehouse/Apollo

Best Designer
Paul Brown, As You Desire Me, Playhouse Theatre
Bob Crowley, Mary Poppins, Prince Edward Theatre
Christopher Oram (designer) and Paule Constable (lighting designer), Don Carlos, Sheffield Theatres/Gielgud

Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer
Daniel Kramer for his direction of Hair and Woyzeck, Gate Theatre
Menier Chocolate Factory co-directors David Babani and Danielle Tarento
Ben Silverstone for his performance in Man And Boy, Duchess Theatre

Sydney Edwards Award for Best Director
Michael Grandage, Don Carlos (Sheffield Theatres/Gielgud) and Grand Hotel (Donmar Warehouse)

Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright
Nell Leyshon, Comfort Me With Apples, Hampstead Theatre

Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer
Menier Chocolate Factory (co-directors David Babani and Danielle Tarento)

A special award also went to the Royal Court for its "exceptional contribution" to British theater.

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Fan report and photo by Marian Joy Friedman - On November 22, 2005, Roosevelt Hotel on 45th Street, Manhattan, approximately 150 people were treated to two full hours of everything Bernie Taupin as he was the guest speaker.

He began by saying how poetry was his first early impression and that his parents instilled in him the appreciation of poetry at an early age.

Bernie admitted that, in his opinion, writing is inherit. It cannot be completely taught and that you have to have a knack for it which clearly Mr. Taupin has.

He explained how all writers are influenced by other writers and other influences in their life and how the radio inspired him. He explained that radio was limited at the time he was developing but there was an American radio station for American servicemen that he listened to as well as a few others and that Country Music influenced Mr. Taupin.

Then it was time for questions and answers that took up most of the two hours.

The audience consisted of song writers and dedicated fans. Fans explained to Bernie how much his music affected them growing up and Mr. Taupin was clearly humbled by that and said it was a heavy burden to carry to know that he and Elton influenced so many people and affected their lives.

Then the song writers ask detailed questions on what influenced that song and this song and they asked about content and composition of his lyrics. Bernie admitted to being the "Prince of Darkness" where his lyrics are concerned and how dark lyrics have more complexity then a simple "hi, I'm happy" lyric and thus he writes dark lyrics more often then not.

Mr. Taupin also emphasized how he is, like other artists, inspired by other musicians as well as his environment. The moon could influence a song ... anything.

The two hours went by like 10 minutes. Mr. Taupin was open to questions and took his time with each person and was careful to not miss anyone. He was very kind and down to earth. It was a real pleasure and great opportunity to hear directly from the man about how he writes, what influences him and how it came to be 30 - 40 years on that we have such a repertoire of his songs.

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From The Sunday Times - November 27, 2005: Welcome to planet Elton. We are half a dozen blocks from Central Park in New York. An entire floor of the rococo hotel that doubles as the John- Furnish Manhattan pied-à-terre when they’re in town has been commandeered for business.

Arthur, their cocker spaniel, is at the beauty parlour (he’s in the park four times a day so he gets quite mucky, offers Elton).

Later they’re off shopping with their New York buddy Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters, and — how can you not love this incidental detail? — his mum.

There is an inevitably fabulous, almost regal flavour to the mis en scène — a suite posher than the entire Parker Bowles family munching on pheasants — as we sit down to talk about their forthcoming marriage.

Elton John met David Furnish, then a young advertising executive, in 1993 when gay politicians were still getting married to protect their seats and George Michael and Alan Bennett were considered heterosexual if a little “funny”.

Twelve years on it is considered weirder to be in the closet than out of it and in December, when civil partnerships become legal, Furnish, 43, and John, 58, will tie the knot.

“It’ll be a brilliant end to a brilliant year for us,” says Elton.

As this is new territory for all of us, what will the wedding entail?
Elton: The ceremony will be very private: a small family affair, David’s parents, my parents and the two of us. They’ll be our witnesses. I’ll tell you something, though, we had no shortage of offers for bridesmaids. We could’ve had the campest group of bridesmaids ever.

Are we talking Liz Hurley, Victoria Beckham and Lulu?
Elton: Ahem! We are basically talking everybody.
David: Sharon Osbourne.
Elton: Anastacia.
David: Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek! I kid you not. At the Cannes film festival they both stopped me and asked if they could be bridesmaids.

Do you worry about the effect on your career in America?
Elton: No. Not at all. God, my career’s been through it all over there. My fans are extremely loyal.

Have you met George Bush?
David: Yes, we went to the White House when Elton got the Kennedy Center award.
Elton: Which I got a lot of flak for.
David: It was a surreal moment. I had very mixed feelings about it. We agonised about whether to go or not. It’s kind of an American equivalent of a knighthood.
Elton: It doesn’t matter who’s in power, the president has nothing to do with choosing it. A lot of people said I shouldn’t go. But America has given me everything.
David: There was hospitality backstage before the show and Bush, Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice, Cheney, Colin Powell were all there. But they seated us with the other lefties.
Elton: Warren Beatty, basically.
David: Bush came over and said: “I think what you guys are doing for Aids is amazing. Your testimony in Congress was fantastic. It’s making a huge difference.” Under those circumstances it’s difficult, as a human being, not to have your head turned.
Elton: We were polite. Ultimately I’m a great one for building bridges rather than higher walls.

Do you think this is a benchmark in British gay rights?
Elton: We’re very lucky to live in Britain. I cannot think of a more tolerant place to live.
David: We were both invited to Charles and Camilla’s wedding. Elton couldn’t go and so they said, of course, David is just as welcome and must come on his own if he wants to. We met the Queen as a couple and she was terribly charming.

Will you do OK! or Hello! for the wedding?
Elton: No. Our relationship isn’t up for grabs. We had an offer from a TV channel in America for $10m for rights to the wedding. It was money for the Aids Foundation, obviously, so . . .
David: So we thought about it long and hard. But once you make that decision to commercialise your life, whether it’s for charity or not, you cross a line.
Elton: And you can never go back from that. Madonna got it right when she was married. Nobody has seen one photograph of that day.

When did your relationship start to feel permanent?
Elton: From the word go. And it hasn’t changed. He was the first person I’d dated who had a great job, had his own place, his own career, and I was determined not to wreck it.

Are you part of that über-celebrity spouse club, David? Do you have coffee mornings with Trudie Styler and Sharon Osbourne?
David: I won’t lie, we are friends. We do get on. But Sharon and Trudie are so much more than just spouses, they’re great mothers, wives, businesswomen.

What do you think gay men will take out of the idea of marriage?
Elton: It’s only our point of view, but I don’t see it as the same as the heterosexual model. It can’t be.
David: The dynamic of two men in a relationship is different to that of a man and a woman.
Elton: There aren’t families to plan or schools to choose. It is just two people you have to take care of. Which is hard sometimes.
David: We all know of straight friends who’ve had kids to try and fix their marriage or who have lost their marriage to their kids. Kids are not glue. But that lack of something biological holding you together really shifts the dynamic. If we weren’t happy or right for one another, then we could leave and there would only be repercussions for us. In a way it tests whether the love and commitment is genuine.

What did your mum and dad say when you first told them your boyfriend was Elton John?
David: Oh, they got “I’m gay and I’m living with Elton John” in the same sentence. I was bawling my eyes out. And I looked over through the tears and they were sitting with a smile on their faces and my mother said: “Look, it’s fine, we can be a family again.” It was only then that I realised maybe I was the one putting the barrier between us.

Tell me to mind my own business here if you like, but has the age gap ever presented a problem?
Elton: The only time we started talking about the difference in our ages was when we talked about adopting a child. I said: “Listen, David, I am just too old for this.” I didn’t want to be seventysomething with a teenage child and all the worry that entails. I’m too selfish. I’m too set in my ways. But it’s a shame, because David would have been a fantastic dad.
David: Oh, I think you would’ve been, too.
Elton: Maybe. If I was 20 years younger we probably would’ve done it.
David: It would be so difficult for a child as well.
Elton: And, frankly, I refuse to breast feed [laughs].

Do you want kids?
Elton: No. I’ll take the perks of being gay where I can get them and that’s one of them for me: gay men are the only group of people who aren’t looked down upon if they don’t have kids.

What were your first few dates like?
David: The first one was at Elton’s London home, just the two of us.
Elton: We had a Chinese takeaway from Mr Chow [in Knightsbridge]. One of the funniest stories from those early days was after we’d known each other for a little while, I invited him to come to Woodside to meet my mum. Meeting anyone’s parents is an issue and believe me, my mum had seen an absolute parade of them.
David: And every time Elton had been, “But mum, honestly, this one really is the one”.
Elton: So my mum’s coming over and David’s coming over and she’s a little cynical anyway and then in the morning I get a phone call from my therapist. Michael Jackson was staying at my manager’s house and my therapist said: “Oh, I’m coming over with Michael Jackson, is that okay?” So on top of meeting my mum, David’s got Michael Jackson at the dinner table as well.
David: I got there and sat down and was, like, what is this man doing to me? It was way too much.
Elton: He was freaking out. It was the most surreal moment.
David: Actually it was a great day. Elton’s mum and dad got there about 45 minutes before Michael and we had a chance to have a good chinwag before he arrived. I liked them straight away. I loved her candour.It was slightly bonkers when Michael came in, though. At that point the only celebrity I’d met was Elton, but his mum was so used to it she said: “Hello then, love, how are you? What you doing over here, then?” And he was like Bambi in the forest, he was so out of it he couldn’t really have a conversation with anybody. It was just incredible to watch.
Elton: I’ll be honest, though, the Michael Jackson one was weird for me, too. It’s not just David who has to get used to things. Michael was in a very medicated state at the time and it was the first time he’d eaten with people — like sat down at a dinner table — in something like 10 years. He told us that over dinner. It was totally bizarre.

How was David received at your football club?
Elton: Oh, there were jokes. But there’s always jokes from the terraces about me. And you know what? Some of them are very funny. They’re clever and bawdy and British. I’ll tell you something, and not enough is made of this, I was with Watford football club from the fifth to the first division and the board always stood by me. If you wave back after they’ve sung “Elton, Elton, give us a wave, you old poof” then they love it. That’s essentially what I love about Britain, in a nutshell.

Do you think they’ll be some dissenting voices about your wedding?
Elton: Of course there will. I’m counting down for the Boy George tirade. He absolutely loves to have a pop at me.
David: The dissenting voices are part of the reason we are doing this thing. The extremism in America is getting more and more polarised. The Pope is very openly anti-gay.

Who’s most likely to turn into the gay Elizabeth Taylor?
Elton: Of course there are a lot of gay Liz Taylors out there, but they wouldn’t bother with the marriage thing, would they? Christ, I was one! F*** it, I was Liz Taylor, Mickey Rooney and Zsa Zsa together. But I know now. I know this one’s for ever.

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Elton John has turned down a £6 million offer by a TV company to film his wedding - because he wants to say his vows in private.

Elton and David Furnish were offered the huge sum for exclusive rights to their December 21, 2005 nuptials. American TV bosses had even offered to donate the money to Elton's Aids Foundation charity, but the star refused.

Elton revealed: "Our relationship isn't up for grabs. Our love is sacred to us. It doesn't come with a price tag."

Elton also claimed he wanted his big day to be more like Madonna and Guy Ritchie's nuptials - which were kept under wraps - than glamour girl Jordon and Peter Andre who published their "awful" wedding photos.

Elton said: "Jordan and Peter Andre's were the most fabulously, spectacularly awful wedding photographs ever. Madonna got it spot on."

Elton, who has been with Furnish for 11 years, added to gay magazine Attitude: "The ceremony will be his parents and my parents and the two of us. The day will be very low-key and we'll take our parents to lunch afterwards."

He also admitted Sharon Osbourne, Liz Hurley and Victoria Beckham had been asked to be bridesmaids.

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Brian Wilson is to release his first solo Christmas, 'What I Really Want For Christmas', on December 5, 2005. It's co-written by Elton John's lyricist Bernie Taupin.

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Elton John and David Furnish are to marry in a private ceremony with only their parents as witnesses, they have revealed.

The couple's big day was expected to be a star-studded occasion attended by their celebrity friends, including the Beckhams and Liz Hurley.

But they have decided to keep the ceremony uncharacteristically low-key - although they will follow it up with a lavish evening reception.

Elton told Attitude magazine: "The ceremony itself will be very private. That much we know. It'll be a very small family affair and then in the evening there'll be a soiree somewhere, which we have yet to work out.

"But the ceremony itself will be David's parents and my parents and the two of us. They'll be our witnesses. That's the way we want to do it.

"They've been so fantastic to us and so supportive. Out of respect for their support, we want to just keep it small. Not to make a ballyhoo of the ceremony."

He continued: "There will be a party somewhere, but the day will be very low-key and we'll take our parents to lunch afterwards.

"I haven't thought so much about the emotional side of it yet, but I'm sure this is going to be an incredibly emotional day."

Elton and David will tie the knot on December 21, 2005, becoming one of the first same-sex couples to marry following the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act.

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An ornate Queen Elizabeth I costume that Whoopi Goldberg wore while hosting the 1999 Academy Awards sold for $22,800 at an auction Tuesday of costumes and dresses by the designer Bob Mackie, Christie's auction house said.

The Mackie items 150 in all brought in a total of $440,820, part of which will benefit The Elton John AIDS foundation, according to Christie's, which co-sponsored the event with Julien's Auctions.

One of Mackie's designs, worn by Elton John during a music tour, sold for $13,200, while a red strapless evening dress with a scarlet-and-black boa worn by Diana Ross in the 1999 film "Double Platinum" brought $17,400. An embroidered net gown worn by Sharon Stone in the 1995 film "Casino" sold for $13,200.

The sale also included sketches by Mackie for designs of costumes for The Judy Garland Show and Elton John tours. The individual prices included a house premium of 20 percent on the first $200,000 and 12 percent thereafter.

Mackie, famous for his sparkling and imaginative costume designs, is often called "the sultan of sequins, the rajah of rhinestones." He has won numerous television Emmy Awards for his designs and was twice nominated for an Academy Award.

In a statement released by Christie's after the auction, Mackie said: "Amazing and exciting."

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Elton fans in Italy have created an online petition in order to persuade Elton to also perform Captain Fantastic shows in Europe.

The Italian tour promoter of Elton has already reacted and plans to forward that request to Elton's management.

You can read and sign the petition online if you want to support it.

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Elton John and Yamaha have been partners in creating great music since 1993. Now, they are joining forces for a new project: the Elton John Limited Edition Signature Series Red Piano, based on John’s hit Vegas show, The Red Piano.

This special piano is not just for great artists like Elton John. Now, the public can own a piece of Yamaha history and as an added bonus, the musical genius of Elton John.

The Elton John Limited Edition Signature Series Red Piano bears the pop icons autograph – and comes loaded with his own exclusive performances for a home entertainment experience like none other.

“The whole concept, and even the title, for my Las Vegas show came from the Yamaha red piano that is center stage throughout,” said Elton. “It just seemed such a perfect fit for the whole dynamic, wild, colorful David LaChapelle production. It’s the focus of my show. Whilst classic and beautiful, a black piano looked too ordinary for Vegas – my high gloss red piano is truly the star of the show! I am delighted that Yamaha has decided to produce this limited edition.”

The special artist edition of the Mark IV Disklavier is the exact color of the piano that Elton plays in his Red Piano show and is autographed by the pop icon. In addition, the piano features five exclusive Elton John recordings including “Your Song,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Rocket Man,” “Take Me to the Pilot,” and “Candle in the Wind.” The songs are solo recordings of Elton John singing and playing the piano. Therefore, whoever owns the piano, also gets a private concert. Only an extremely limited number 30 pianos will run in the first edition series and no more than 50 pianos will ever be sold.

“Elton is the quintessential crown jewel of the Yamaha artist family,” said Corporate Director of Artist Affairs, Chris Gero. “The new Elton John Signature Red Piano is our way of paying tribute to one of the greatest rock legends of all time. The Elton John Signature Red Piano will aim to embody the spirit and energy that is uniquely Elton.”

Click here to find out when the Elton John Limited Edition Signature Series Red Piano will be on display at a retailer near you.

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Billy Joel is refusing to back down from his decision to quit making pop music, despite pal Elton John's best efforts to prompt a comeback.

The Piano Man hasn't recorded new pop material since 1993's "River of Dreams" album, and now insists he plans to concentrate on writing and recording classical projects rather than touring with an album of pop tunes.

He says, "I've always admired guys who walked away at the top of their game. (JOE) DiMAGGIO (baseball ace) did it. I've had my time in the sun. You can't squeeze blood from a stone.

"I know Elton John has said in a couple of interviews, 'I hope Billy gets his confidence back and has a number one album.' I think Elton might be mistaking confidence for desire. You have to have the desire to be competitive in the rock 'n' roll world. I don't have it."

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Tonight’s show saw keyboards being handled by Guy Babylon and Lindsay Vannoy. Guy is teaching Lindsay the keyboard parts as Lindsay will fill in for Guy over the next several months while Guy oversees the opening of ‘LESTAT’ in San Francisco and New York.

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Tonight’s show saw keyboards being handled by Guy Babylon and Lindsay Vannoy. Guy is teaching Lindsay the keyboard parts as Lindsay will fill in for Guy over the next several months while Guy oversees the opening of ‘LESTAT’ in San Francisco and New York.

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Elton John is auctioning one of his favourite hats to raise cash for an AIDS charity. He has joined a group of generous celebrities who are selling their possessions to help fight the killer disease.

The 'Bid 2 Beat Aids' auction will begin on internet auction site eBay on December 1, 2005 - which is world AIDS day.

The sale - which will raise money for the LIFEbeat charity - features up to 1,000 rare and autographed items from stars in music, film, theatre and television.

Up for grabs is the podium from the 2005 MTV movie awards, signed by Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes, and gold records from No Doubt and Coldplay - as well as Elton's hat.

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Following is the complete set list of the Columbia, SC show on November 16, 2005.

• Weight of the World
  
• Porch Swing in Tupelo
  
• Answer in the Sky
  
• Turn the Lights Out When You Leave
  
• My Elusive Drug
  
• They Call Her the Cat
  
• Freaks In Love
  
• All That I'm Allowed
  
• Funeral For A Friend
  
• Love Lies Bleeding
  
• Bennie and the Jets
  
• Daniel
  
• Take Me to the Pilot
  
• Rocket Man
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues
  
• Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• Sad Songs (Say So Much)
  
• Someone Saved My Life Tonight
  
• Levon
  
• Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
  
• Bitch is Back
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
• Crocodile Rock
  
• Your Song

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In country music, it was a good year for cheating, drinking and looking back. The 39th annual Country Music Association Awards, country's top prizes, went to old-fashioned songs about those perennial topics when they were presented on November 15, 2005 at Madison Square Garden during a live telecast on CBS.

Lee Ann Womack's painstakingly retro album, "There's More Where That Came From," was the night's main winner among the recordings. Its production style reaches back to what was called countrypolitan, enfolding country bands with elegant string arrangements, and it was named album of the year, while its single, a song about succumbing to temptation called "I May Hate Myself in the Morning," was single of the year.

The other major winner was Keith Urban, an Australian country singer who was named entertainer of the year and male vocalist of the year. He took pains to thank the band that backs him onstage; country albums are usually made with studio musicians. "Road bands in general don't get enough appreciation," he said.

It was the first time the awards were given outside Nashville, and the previous days had brought country events across the city, from Joe's Pub to Carnegie Hall. Partway through the awards show, Garth Brooks performed live outdoors to a sizable crowd in Times Square, singing "Good Ride Cowboy," a memorial for the singer Chris LeDoux.

The telecast made time for songwriters associated with New York and New Jersey, including Billy Joel, Norah Jones, Bon Jovi and Paul Simon. "I don't even own a cowboy hat," Billy Joel said onstage. But the show's musical finale was a duet by Elton John and Dolly Parton singing John Lennon's aggressively secular "Imagine."

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Elton Johns plans to invest in the 35 million penthouse located on the top floor of Ivana, the developing lip stick case of Las Vegas. This rumor was first whispered a week or two after the Ivana was announced in early June 2005.

Nothing is for sure, but a recent picture of Elton John on the side of an exterior Ivana rendering has most certainly intrigued a lot of people.

The penthouse on the top floor of the Ivana, dubbed the cockpit, will be the highest penthouse west of the Mississippi. Now obviously this penthouse isn’t for the average Joe, what penthouse is, but it is perfect for any celebrity and is especially geared toward the singing type. A fully equipped recording studio will be built into the penthouse.

If you think that’s too much, wrap your head around this: the Ivana penthouse will have nine bedrooms. Nine rooms, why do you need nine rooms? With approximately 20.000 sq. ft. of space and so many individual rooms it’s a likelihood this luxurious penthouse could turn into a high end Andy Warhol factory filled with the owner’s friends and friends of friends all around the clock.

The overall cost of the building will be about US dollar 913 million. Many people are skeptical about how the developers, who brought Ivana on board, Australians Victor Altomare and partner Joseph Di Mauro, will raise the money. Sales of the 945 units, approximately half sold-out, have only accounted for a small percentage of the total cost. Right now they aren’t saying very much concerning financial aid but there is no doubt that with Elton John buying out the penthouse would not only contribute directly to sales but also pull fans of the signer into the project as well.

The Ivana high rise in Las Vegas at 82 stories tall will become a dominant fixture in our mountain crested skyline. It’s scheduled to start construction next summer and finish around December of 2008. Most rooms, not including the penthouse, will range from 500 to 1,900 sq. ft. and be priced around $550,000 for a one bedroom home. Interiors will include marble and stone decorated finishes in the kitchen and bathroom that will melt into the carpet for the main area and bedrooms. Stone counter tops, two coat wall paint finish, light fittings, cook top, and an oven will also be included.

Ivana’s dominant consumers are business executives, entertainers and others who “love Nevada because of its weather.” Reservations opened August 14, 2005 and the sales center is located at the corner of Las Vegas blvd and Sahara Ave, Las Vegas hours are 10 am to 6 pm seven days a week.

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Pop star Natalie Imbruglia was so terrified a throat operation would permanently damage her voice, it took a persuasive call from Elton before she went ahead with it.

The "Torn" singer had suffered for ten years with painful nodules, but feared having them removed after hearing Julie Andrews' voice had never recovered following the same operation.

She says, "Everyone tells you the story of Julie Andrews. When she had her nodules cut out it changed her voice for good. I was terrified it would happen to me, so I just carried on putting up with the pain.

"Eventually I was with a voice coach and he called up Elton John when I was there to tell him I was still agonising over the operation. Elton had it done a few years ago. He got on the phone to me and shouted at me: 'What's wrong with you? Just do it.'

"I took his advice and I'm so glad I did. My throat feels brand new."

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Elton's offer of his prized photographic collection to Britain's Tate Gallery has been dismissed by the art institution as "unsuitable".

Elton is reportedly "angry and puzzled" at the undignified snub, as he wished to leave the impressive set of images - which includes shots by celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz - to the gallery in his legacy.

An art dealer pal of the star says, "Elton wanted to leave his entire collection to the Tate in his will, but was told that it would not be suitable for the gallery."

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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 Elton'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.

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Interview by Terry Bumgarner, producer for CMT Insider.

What in the world is Elton John doing at the CMA Awards? Don't rocket -- er, knock it, man. He's a lifelong country fan who can enthusiastically converse about everyone from Jim Reeves to Gary Allan. He'll partner with Dolly Parton during the all-star ceremony on Tuesday night (Nov. 15) in New York City, accompanying her rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine." Plus, his music video for "Turn the Lights Out When You Go" is currently in rotation on CMT. Here, the world's most prominent music fan talks about Floyd Cramer's personal touch, the Nashville mindset and why country music is so important to the British.

You're performing with Dolly Parton at the CMAs. Have you ever worked together?

No. It's a dream come true for me because there are so many legends in country music, but a lot of them are dead. Dolly is very much alive, and I'm a huge fan of hers. To be able to sing and perform with her and to be on the CMAs is exciting for me because as a musician, it's a part of my music that I love. I love country music, but I've never actually participated in anything to do with country music. I did a CMT thing with Ryan Adams, and I really loved that. This is the first time I've really been exposed to that country music audience and, to be with Dolly Parton is such a buzz. I'm really excited.

She might be the only person who's more flamboyant in dress than you.

Well, it's going to be a battle. (laughs) It's going to be so much fun. I get to meet those other people that I haven't met before who are going to be on the show. I met Brad Paisley the other week, and it was great meeting him. I get to meet another section of people that I really don't come across because we don't move in the same circles. I know Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. I've done stuff with them. But the rest of them I really don't know, so I'm so looking forward to coming to New York and meeting all these people.

You seem to be a fan of every kind of music. Are you a fan of country?

Always. I grew up as a kid listening to Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Hank Locklin, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard. Yes, I've always been a fan of country music. Floyd Cramer was one of my big inspirations as a piano player. I remember "Last Date" and "On the Rebound" were two things I could really play. He had a certain unique style, which is so difficult for a piano player to establish. You listened to a Floyd Cramer record, you knew it was Floyd.

Country music and soul music are so closely knit, and I was a big soul fan as well. Soul and country are so close together. I've always loved country music. I love hillbilly music, I love bluegrass music. It's just the musicianship that I love. The guitar pickin' and the stuff like that. There are so many great musicians around. ... When Ray Charles, for example, did the country meets soul, that was the perfect marriage of soul and country. And it worked so well. It's a genre of music that I think every British rock 'n' roll artist loves. The Stones love country music. The Beatles loved country music. We all love country music because it's so simple, it's direct, and it's melodic, and it's heartfelt. It's an extremely important genre of music. And to us British folks, it was a very important part of our lives.

I think sometimes Nashville as a community has an inferiority complex about country, that it is somehow not as worthy as a genre as others. Sometimes, I think that people who come from Britain, like you, revere it more than the people who are making it.

Oh, I think that's the case with soul music, too. The people who used to come to Britain on tour, soul music-wise, had bigger fan followings in England than they did in America. It's the musicianship we love and the singing and the harmonies. You know, the banjo pickin' and the mandolin stuff.

The Dillards did an album called Wheatstraw Suite, which is one of my favorite albums. It was mostly Beatles songs, and the first thing I did when I came to America was go and see them. And I played on an Earl Scruggs record which for me was one of the most fantastic experiences to meet him, because of The Beverly Hillbillies, which was a huge television show. We all loved it because of the music.

And I think you're right. I think Nashville -- the country music fraternity as it were -- they're very insular. They keep themselves together, and they don't realize how much. There's rock 'n' roll, too. Some of these bands rock. You know, they really rock, and they're really so tight. We love the musicianship involved. I'm doing this with Dolly, and I'm appearing on the CMAs, and I've been in the business -- in America, this is my 36th year of coming to America -- and I've never done anything like this before, which is crazy. Because I love country! The two things never combine -- rock 'n' roll and country -- as much as they should do because we're both doing the same kind of stuff. I mean, they do it in their way, and we do it in our way, but it's basically the same stuff.

There are some great artists in country. We love it, and they don't understand that. They keep very insular, but so many people love country music. I mean, look at the album sales the first week of a Gretchen Wilson record or a Big & Rich record or Brooks & Dunn or Alan Jackson or George Strait. Of course, Garth Brooks was the one who really exploded country, and Shania Twain, I think. Like 10 or 15 years ago when country really exploded on the radio. Since then, it's really come a long, long way, as far as radio programming and stuff like that.

I mean, I'm the first person to go out and buy the new Gary Allan CD because I love Gary Allan. I know what happened to him with his wife, and I want to hear the songs that he's written about his wife, and it's an incredible CD. So they don't realize how much we respect them.

Your video for "Turn the Lights Out When You Leave" is now on CMT, and it's a very country song. I almost hear a little of that Floyd Cramer influence.

Well, it's a country song. "Turn the lights out when you leave" is such a country lyric. At one point, we were thinking of doing a country album or other people covering our songs and doing like a compilation album of other artists doing our songs in a country way. So I wrote this song as a duet originally, and then I thought, "You know what? I'm going to sing it on my own because I love my demo so much." We didn't even really change the demo that much for the album. We just put John Jorgenson on pedal steel. It's really the original demo that's on the album, kind of remixed. It's definitely a country track.

When I was a kid, I used to play in the pub in England. My big song was "He'll Have to Go," the Jim Reeves song. And this song is a similar thing, in a way. It's not as slow as that, but we've written so many different country songs. We wrote a song for Tammy Wynette, "A Woman's Needs." We've had "Country Comfort," we've had "Dixie Lily." I think if you look on all of our albums, there's always a country type song on any of our albums because [lyricist] Bernie [Taupin] is such a country fan. On his answer phone, you ring his ranch, and he's always got country music on it. It's the only thing he listens to in his truck. It's such an important genre of music.

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British royal Zara Phillips and Elton John have been voted top celebrity hat-wearers by Luton's millinery and hat-making industry.

Beating off competition from footballer David Beckham and '80s pop sensation Boy George, who came second and third respectively in the men's chart, Zara and Elton received over 800 votes between them.

Sponsored and organised by the town's promotional company Luton First, the aim of Celebrity Hat Wearer Of The Year, was to find the celebrity man and woman who are ahead in style when it comes to hats.

Luton First publicity guru Tony Edwards said the royals are the undoubted style leaders where hats are concerned.

"High-profile royal occasions, such as the marriage of Charles and Camilla, have presented ideal opportunities for the Royal Family to show off their sense of style," he said.

"And while the young royals have probably been the most adventurous and fashionable in their choice of hats, the Duchess of Cornwall has shown she has excellent taste in the more classic designs."

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By Claude Bernardin, author Of "Rocket Man".

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In fairness, she had held her tongue for more than a year. So when the opportunity arose to take public revenge for Sir Elton John's attack on her, Madonna seized it with relish.

The moment came during an hour-long interview with Michael Parkinson, to be screened on ITV1 on November 12, 2005. The chat show host asked her about her diva-like behaviour, saying Sir Elton once shouted at his manager because the wind was too strong.

With a glint in her eye, 47-year-old Madonna giggled, 'Yeah, but...' and put her arms in the air miming one of the singer's famous wigs flying off. It brought a huge cheer from the audience.

She then added sarcastically: 'I'm not going to go there. Elton is one of my closest friends.' Only a swift change of subject by the diplomatic Parkinson apparently prevented her saying even more.

The spat between the pair started 13 months ago at a music awards ceremony when, in a foul-mouthed tirade, a furious Sir Elton accused the singer of miming on hearing she had been nominated as best live act.

He added: 'That's me off her Christmas card list.' He later revealed that two cards he sent her had, indeed, been returned.

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Beginning November 10, 2005, Starbucks will exclusively carry Elton John's Christmas Party, a compilation of Elton John's favorite holiday songs, including an exclusive duet with Joss Stone. Starbucks and Universal will donate $2 per CD sold to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The new holiday compilation contains 21 songs which were hand-selected by Elton John himself. The CD will be available exclusively at Starbucks Company-operated stores in the U.S. and Canada beginning on November 10, 2005. Starbucks and Universal Music Group will donate $2 for every CD sold to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The album includes "Calling It Christmas," an exclusive brand-new duet by Elton John and Joss Stone penned by Elton and longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin just for this collection. The CD's liner notes, also written by Elton John, describe why he selected each song in the compilation.

Among the holiday songs Elton John picked as his party favorites are Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run," Bruce Springsteen's 1981 version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," the Eagles' 1978 Adult Contemporary hit of "Please Come Home For Christmas," Jimmy Buffett's 1996 anthem "Christmas Island," Rufus Wainwright's 2003 chamber pop entry "Spotlight On Christmas" and Elton's own 1973 No. 1 pop smash "Step Into Christmas." Along with conventional holiday songs, Elton John also includes several songs which capture the spirit of the season, including U2's "New Year's Day," John Mayer's "St. Patrick's Day" and Outkast's "Playa's Ball."

"Music plays a more important part at Christmas than at any other time of the year. It is the only season that has its own genre of music," explained Elton John. "Recently it has become de rigueur to do a Christmas album. But I do not want to do one. I would rather compile this album of my favorite Christmas songs by my favorite artists."

"This special, exclusive holiday CD compilation offers our customers unique insight into Elton John's personal musical tastes while providing the perfect soundtrack for their holiday gatherings," said Ken Lombard, president, Starbucks Entertainment. "We are delighted to join with Universal to donate money from each CD sold to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation."

"We are pleased to be able to develop with Elton and Starbucks Hear Music such a worthwhile project," explains Kathy Hale, Sr. VP, Universal Music Special Markets. "We were able to offer a phenomenally high quality selection of artists and recordings to attract album buyers and, in turn, help in the fight against AIDS."

Elton John's Christmas Party will also be available for sale online at www.starbucks.com/hearmusic beginning on November 10, 2005.

Track Listing for Elton John's Christmas Party:

1.  Step Into Christmas                        Elton John
2.  Feliz Navidad                              El Vez
3.  Frosty the Snowman                         The Ronettes
4.  Santa Claus Is Coming to Town              Bruce Springsteen
5.  The Man with All the Toys                  The Beach Boys
6.  A Change at Christmas (Say It Isn't So)    The Flaming Lips
7.  It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas         Pet Shop Boys
8.  Spotlight on Christmas                     Rufus Wainwright
9.  Jingle Bell Rock                           The Ventures
10. Run Rudolph Run                            Chuck Berry
11. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer             The Crystals
12. Playa's Ball                               Outkast
13. Merry Christmas Baby                       Otis Redding
14. Christmas Island                           Jimmy Buffett
15. St. Patrick's Day                          John Mayer
16. Please Come Home for Christmas             The Eagles
17. Christmas Must Be Tonight                  The Band
18. 2000 Miles                                 The Pretenders
19. December Will Be Magic Again               Kate Bush
20. New Year's Day                             U2
21. Calling It Christmas                       Elton John & Joss Stone

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Elton John will on November 15, 2005 release an expanded, double-disc edition of his 2004 album, "Peachtree Road."

Similar to the re-release in the UK ealier, in addition to the original album, the first disc features three tracks Elton penned for the British play "Billy Elliot": "The Letter," "Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher" and "Electricity."

A DVD will also be included featuring nine live performances of "Peachtree" tracks recorded in November 2004 in the Tabernacle in Atlanta.

"Peachtree Road" debuted at No. 17 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 314,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, but Elton admits he is not satisfied by that number.

"It is frustrating," he told Billboard recently. "I'm not storming around saying, 'Why isn't my f***ing record doing better than this?' I just had to look at it and say, 'Was it a s*** record?' And it wasn't -- it was the best I could do. I'm 58 now, and my time in the sun, as it were, is gone. I have to accept that. Was I disappointed? Yeah, because I put my heart and soul into it."

Also see the Hercules Shop for more Elton merchandise.

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Fan Report by Chris Akins.

As I walked into the beautiful FedEx Forum arena right off of Beale Street, the sounds of an Elton John solo show were coming from a special edition Yamaha Red Piano. As different people from different generations gathered around the piano, one could instantly feel the magic of Elton in the air.

I had just attended the Nashville show on September 30, 2005, so I did not purchase any merchandise, but was excited to see the Captain Fantastic tour shirts were included on this last US leg of the tour. My group found our seats in section 214 in the very back of the arena.

Now, I have never seen Elton from such a distance, and I was wondering about how the sound was going to be. From these "nose bleed" seats it was still easy to spot the infamous Yamaha and we anxiously awaited for the man to arrive to put the grand piano to work.

Sure enough at approximately 8:05pm, the lights went down and the lightning began to strike on the LCD screens behind the stage. As Elton walked onto the stage, the crowd was very enthusiastic, and I think Memphis enjoyed the journey down Peachtree Road. "They Call Her the Cat" got some of the crowd up on their feet dancing.

However, the section I was in was not very gracious on the standing ovations or standing up and dancing during the rockers. Oh, and by the way, Elton's sound was fantastic, even from the very back of the arena.

Overall, Memphis was a great crowd. You could hear the entire arena singing along with the legend himself during "Levon", "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", "Tiny Dancer", "Rocket Man", and "Someone Saved My Life Tonight".

From as far away as I was, I could still feel Elton's enormous energy. "Rocket Man" was exceptional as always and hearing him and his band perform this live is such a treat, and I love the R-O-C-K-E-T-M-A-N on this tour, however my group did not catch what he was singing.

The Voice of Atlanta Choir is tremendous and they are so classy and entertaining. They bring an entire new level of soul to some of Elton's music. On November 19, 2005, I'm off to see the final US show for Elton on his Peachtree Road Tour in Indianapolis. I'm really looking forward to another amazing experience, however, it will be bitter-sweet because I know it will be awhile before I'm able to see him again.

Following is the complete setlist of the Memphis show on November 4, 2005:

• Weight of the World
  
• Porch Swing in Tupelo
  
• Answer in the Sky
  
• Turn the Lights Out When You Leave
  
• My Elusive Drug
  
• They Call Her the Cat
  
• Freaks In Love
  
• All That I'm Allowed
  
• Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
  
• Bennie and the Jets
  
• Daniel
  
• Take Me to the Pilot
  
• Rocket Man
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues
  
• Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• Sad Songs (Say So Much)
  
• Someone Saved My Life Tonight
  
• Levon
  
• Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
  
• Bitch is Back
  
• Saturday Night's Alright
  
• Crocodile Rock
  
• Your Song

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Fan report by members of the Russion Elton John fan club.

When a dream comes true, how many memories it leaves in our souls! One can imagine how many memories will stay in the souls of a group of people, sharing the same dream…

Those people met each other for the first time in an Internet Forum, and, after that, in reality. The next meeting happened 2 days before one special event – Elton John concert in Moscow. It is interesting, that all the people were under 25. This is a good sign, that Elton’s music is still young! Of course, there were lots of conversations about their favorite musician, and about other things, for example, about football.

We met at the ticket office of the Kremlin near a poster of Elton. While waiting for those who were late, we had a couple of discussions with some guys who had something against Elton. Then we took a walk from the meeting place to the Balchug Hotel, where Elton was staying. Of course, it was not the last time we took this way! We decided to meet Elton at the hotel when he arrives, before the concert, and agreed to come there as early in the morning as possible.

Those happy young people, who had a lot of free time, could spend ages walking near the hotel! Only Denis-Watford was not among them. Unfortunately he had to go to work.

The hotel personnel were very friendly with us. A reception guy said he knew why we were there, but said that Elton had already arrived. They allowed us to stay really close to the entrance. In 15 minutes an elderly guy, looking a bit like Freddy Kruger, came out of the door, looked at us and said only one word: “Sleeping!” We stayed at the hotel for several hours. How many thoughts, ideas were discussed! How many weather changes we had to experience!

When everything was quiet (only once in an hour somebody came in or out), we were kind of sad. We talked about everything we could imagine. Sometimes some delegations were passing by and then we cheered up, thinking it might be Elton!

We saw some Russian stars, some foreign groups… Watched a guy who was taking care of a Mercedes. We had the information that it was Elton’s car. We knew where Elton’s windows were and were joking “Maybe we should sing him a song, Bitch is Back, for example”!

The weather was really tricky that day. Sometime it was hot like hell, and then it started to rain cats and dogs, and became really cold. Then hailstones started falling on our poor heads!

When Denis-Watford came from work, around 7 p.m., we were tired, hungry and wet!

We finally had an idea which was realized at once. Denis-Watford took the flowers for Elton, wrote a note, asking him to come out, put it in the flowers and went inside a hotel. He gave the flowers to the receptionist who promised to deliver them. Denis-Watford came back with loads of impressions! He had to wait in the bar while the receptionist was bringing the flowers to Elton, and told us how expensive everything was there.

“I asked the receptionist “what is Elton John’s room number?” He became nervous and said “I don’t know”. I said I wanted to pass him the flowers, and he said that he would do it.”

Later it started to rain again. We spent the rest of the time telling Denis-Watford about our day. He entered the hotel some more times, asking about the flowers. We also passed another gift for Elton, Watford FC Logo, painted by us. The flowers’ destiny though remained unknown…

We started discussing whether we should stay here for the night. At that moment a woman came out of the hotel. It was Elton’s interpreter Natalia. She probably understood the reason why so many people were here (more people arrived in the evening), or maybe our letter was delivered. Once she came out, she said that we should go home because Elton felt bad and had headaches. “He can not even say what he wants…”. They had to cancel all events. “He will not leave the hotel till 11 o’clock tomorrow”, she said. We agreed to meet here next morning.

Next morning, when we came to the hotel, we were greeted with words: “You are sleeping too long, he left already!” What started then!!! Natalia became desperate “if he will not come back here before the concert, I will not forgive myself that we came here too late!” Then we thought that the interpreter girl could do it on purpose. Some hours were spent nervously; we were trying to guess if Elton is going to come back here before the show or not. We were really worried, because the doorman said that Elton left in a bright suit.

It did not take a long time to wait for a miracle. About lunch time some people started to move around, security guys appeared saying: “no scream, no jumping under the car. If he wants, he approaches you himself.” Not only we were there waiting for him, some other people were standing nearby. And all the eyes were looking forward.

A car arrived and we could see him through the window. He came out in a comfortable sportive red suit, a “pajama”, according to Natalia’s comment afterwards. A “pank” hairdo attracted people’s eyes. We were so nervous, that did not even remember if Elton had glasses or not, and could find out the truth only when the photos were developed. (Thank you, Den and Nadia, for making good
photos!) Elton left the Mercedes (Indeed, it was the car we saw one day before), and gave a sign to the security men, saying that he would stay with the fans. He seemed to be in a good mood.

For Angel it was completely unexpected. She is used to be the last in getting things and suddenly she was in front! A bit shy, Angel approached Elton, gave him a white rose. Elton smiled and thanked her, and she held out a block note to sign.

After that everything moved quicker. All kinds of things were held out: papers, booklets, books, documents, even hands! The fans not only asked for autographs, they also did not let Elton go without gifts. Natalia gave him a painting with the Pokrovsky cathedral, so that Elton never forgets Moscow, and Angel painted his portrait, not to let him forget the love of the Moscow fans. A funny thing – when Elton took the portrait, he automatically wanted to sign it, but Natalia explained him everything. The other fans were almost dumb; they could not say a word…

They say “The fans are as polite as their idol”. This is really so. When Elton came out the hotel, there was a total silence, like when an underground train stops in the tunnel and people are talking in a low voice, trying not to bother the others. This silence was filled with such a unification, that nobody dared to destroy it, people were speaking in a low voice, quiet and gentle.

So, it happened! The fans were rewarded for everything they had to go through!

It is impossible to describe the feelings; there are no words in any language for that. But the best day in the fans’ lives has just begun. Although not all of them were successful (Nadia could not get an autograph, and Denis-Watford had to be at work, so Natalia told him the news over the phone) but all were truly very happy and looking forward with impatience for Elton John’s show.

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By reputation, and sometimes by deed, tennis players are often among the most self-centered of all professional athletes.

But in the 12 years since the World Team Tennis Smash Hits charity event was founded by pop star Elton John and former tennis great Billie Jean King, that perception has been altered dramatically.

The image of the selfish, self-absorbed pro tennis player took another hit on November 7, 2005 when, led by Elton, Billy Jean King, Andy Roddick and Anna Kournikova, Smash Hits rolled into the Giant Center for a night of tennis to benefit national and local AIDS charities.

From both a fund-raising and an entertainment standpoint, the event was, well, a smash hit, raising $850,000 to be divided between the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National AIDS Fund and the Greater Harrisburg AIDS Fund.

“I hope it gets a lot of funds for AIDS,” said Elton, of his hopes for the event, at a pre-match press conference. “We like to leave about 50 percent of the funds in the local area. Pennsylvania has been very forward-thinking, I hope it gets its just rewards for this.”

Those in attendance were rewarded as well, treated to an entertaining battle between Team Billie Jean (Roddick, Wayne native Lisa Raymond, Samantha Stosur, Ellis Ferreira) and Team Elton (Kournikova, Martina Hingis, James Blake, Thomas Blake) that went to Team Billie Jean by a score of 25-20. The event was contested under the WTT scoring format and featured men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles matches.

But, of course, the night was ultimately about the stars doing their part to help those afflicted with AIDS.

“It’s just amazing how great the players have been,” said King. “We’ve raised seven million dollars so far (since Smash Hits was founded), and it wouldn’t happen without the players. Tennis players do give back a lot, even though we don’t have that reputation. But believe me, we do.”

“I’ve tried to support it as much as I could,” said Raymond, along with Stosur, one half of the 2005 U.S. Open women’s doubles champions. “When I was asked to play it was a no-brainer. It’s a great cause.”

Roddick, in particular, went the extra mile to make it to Hershey to take part, having only returned from Paris, where he was playing in an ATP Tour event, one day before.

“It’s not out of the ordinary for what we do,” said Roddick, shrugging off the hectic travel schedule as part of the life of a pro tennis player.

The most heralded player in the event, Roddick, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, was also the most entertaining, playfully bantering with players and fans alike throughout the three-hour event and clearly enjoying the break from the intensity of life on the pro tour.

“This event is fun because it allows us to be more interactive with the fans,” Roddick said. “And it’s fun to interact with a team, since we’re usually playing for ourselves. That being said, we’re also athletes, and we want to win.”

Roddick was able to satisfy his appetite for victory, capping off the night and clinching the match for Team Billie Jean with a singles victory over Blake, the Harvard grad who made a thrilling run to the semifinals at this year’s U.S. Open before falling to Andre Agassi in five sets.

Roddick was also victorious in men’s doubles with Ferreira, defeating the Blake brothers 5-4, and in mixed doubles, as he and Raymond got past Blake and Kournikova by a set score of 5-3.

In women’s singles, Stosur defeated Hingis, the former world No. 1, 5-4, then teamed up with Raymond for a 5-3 triumph over Hingis and Kournikova.

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Elton and David have reportedly booked a swanky castle for their Christmas nuptials.

The pair are said to have hired Windsor's MacDonald Castle Hotel for mid-December 2005 - the same time as a new law allowing homosexuals to legally marry comes into effect.

A source is quoted in Britain's Daily Star newspaper as saying: "They have organised a lavish meal to the finest detail."

Last week, the flamboyant star told journalists at a fundraiser for his AIDS Foundation he was planning to be one of the first couples to wed under the new laws.

He is quoted on the website Gay.com as saying: "It's going to be on the 21st of December. That's all I know at the moment."

Last year, the singer revealed he had already picked the celebrity friends he wants in his wedding party.

Elton said: "I think I would like Lulu as my maid of honour and Victoria Beckham as my best man!"

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The Federation of Gay Games is proud to announce that Sir Elton John has become a Gay Games Ambassador.

Elton said, "I am thrilled to be involved with the Gay Games. For more than two decades the Gay Games have turned a well-deserved spotlight on athletic and cultural performances by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and their friends from around the world."

The Gay Games Ambassadors are an international group of prominent individuals supporting the goals and principles of the quadrennial Gay Games. First held in 1982, Gay Games VII takes place in Chicago, U.S.A., from July 15-22, 2006.

"We feel truly honoured that Sir Elton John has become an ambassador for the Gay Games", said Roberto Mantaci, co-president of the Federation. "For many years, he has been an 'ambassador' for the entire LGBT community, particularly through his charitable work, and his contribution has been immense".

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Elton John has lashed out at the American media for poking fun at British royal Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall's fashion choices.

Prince Charles' new wife has been savaged on her first official overseas visit to America, where critics have ridiculed her fashion sense and dubbed her "the Frump Tower".

Furious royalist Elton insists the US press has been unnecessarily harsh.

He says, "I just think they've had very negative press, pretty mean press, and I just think it's unnecessary."

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While the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall made their royal rounds of the Big Apple and Washington on November 2, 2005, fellow Brit Sir Elton John held court downtown.

"An Enduring Vision," a benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, drew music, film and fashion luminaries to Cipriani Wall Street for an auction and dinner.

CNN's Paula Zahn played host, and Elton performed nine of his hit songs for a crowd that included Richard Gere and Carey Lowell, Bette Midler, Sophie Dahl, Moby, John Mayer, Stanley Tucci, Ivana Trump, Tom Ford, Karl Lagerfeld and Bernie Taupin.

Arriving at the event — the fourth such gathering for Elton's foundation, which has raised more than $80 million — the singer expressed gratitude to contributors. But he acknowledged that less-well-heeled folks have donated "small gobs of money, and can help so much just by spreading the word."

Fellow artists such as Elvis Costello and Joss Stone were on hand to do just that. "I haven't been fortunate enough to be at any of these events before," Costello said. "But I'm here to show support."

A giggly Stone reported that she had recorded a new holiday song, "Calling It Christmas", with Elton. "He's an amazing guy, and he can sing his (butt) off."

Billie Jean King, another guest, said she jammed with Elton, too. "I can't sing, but Elton used to bring me on stage in the early years," said the tennis champ, who auctioned off tickets to Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, and tossed in a coaching session with her and a lesson with John McEnroe.

In another impromptu gesture, Elton auctioned off stays at his apartment in Venice and his house in Nice.

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Bernie Taupin has graciously agreed to teach a special songwriting class at the Learning Annex NY on November 22, 2005.

Typically, the Learning Annex NY would market such an event through their catalog which has a circulation of 700,000 in NY.

However, due to the fact that Bernie was not able to commit to the November 22, 2005 date before the catalog deadline, they are now solely promoting the event through their website, fliers and possible radio promotion.

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Bette Midler's 60th birthday and her "Hulaween" bash for the New York Restoration Project at the Waldorf-Astoria on October 31, 2005 was a smash and a sellout.

Witches, goblins, cowboys, Indians, Vampiras and imps came costumed to the hilt, earning $2.2 million for Bette's dream of a better New York!

Hostesses Ellen Levine and Wendy Siegel were all togged out, and Bette herself appeared onstage encased in a giant rose. Martin Short did his stuff as the auctioneer "Jiminy Glick," and for one little Jack Russell puppy, he upped the bidding to $15,000. Guests went home with Bette's new "Peggy Lee" tribute CD, which had won critical raves that very day.

In the crowd, Tony Danza as a pirate and Yoko Ono as herself. Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue were right out of "High Noon." There were Annette de la Renta, Mariah Carey, Chevy Chase, Glenn Close and Ahmet and Mica Ertegun, as well as Lally Weymouth. One partygoer resembled the pope and another came as the Virgin Mary. Well, you get the picture!

Elton John was divine, or maybe just unholy, playing piano with his devil's horns aglow. It was a day and night to remember!

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Two of music's most respected, performer/songwriters Dolly Parton and Sir Elton John are joining forces for a musical first on "The 39th Annual CMA Awards" when they perform together during "Country Music's Biggest Night."

"I've always admired Sir Elton's songwriting, musicianship and singing and I'm thrilled to be working with him," Parton said. "It should be a very passionate performance."

"The audience and our viewers are in for a magical experience when two of the most flamboyant and best-loved entertainers in the world take the stage," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson.

"The 39th Annual CMA Awards" airs live Tuesday, November 15, 2005 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the CBS Television Network from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Parton will join Elton in a performance of "Turn the Lights Out When You Leave" on the CMA Awards.

Performers already announced for the 2005 CMA Awards include Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Bon Jovi with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, CMA hosts Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss + Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Julie Roberts, George Strait, Sugarland, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, and Willie Nelson and Paul Simon, who will perform and then present CMA Song of the Year.

Presenters previously announced include Trace Adkins, James Gandolfini, Vince Gill, Billy Joel, Kris Kristofferson, LeAnn Rimes, Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix.

For the first time ever, tickets for the 2005 CMA Awards are available to the general public. Tickets can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (212) 307-7171 (or any local Ticketmaster outlet phone number); or in-person at the Madison Square Garden box office. The ticket price is $250 (not including tax and service charges).

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Contrary to erroneous reports posted on Web logs and phoned into the WXIA-TV newsroom over the weekend, Sir Elton John did not, repeat, did not, suffer a heart attack in Atlanta on October 29, 2005.

Word that Atlanta's most famous Peachtree Road resident had been hospitalized at Piedmont Hospital for cardiac arrest spread like wildfire over the weekend, panicking his local friends.

"We were frantically calling each other, trying to find out if it was true," Elton John AIDS Foundation Atlanta board member Barron Segar told Buzz on October 31, 2005. Segar was working in his yard Saturday and returned to the house to find messages piling up on his voice mail.

Further panicking Elton's friends, no one, including the pop singer's staff, was answering the phone at his Buckhead home.

Finally, Elton was located on a flight to Seattle where he performed a private concert over the weekend. On Monday, Elton was in New York to play Bette Midler's Hula-ween concert at the Waldorf hotel.

"He's absolutely fine," Elton's New York-based spokeswoman Fran Curtis told Buzz. "I was at the hotel this morning. He was up early as usual."

At the time the rumor hit fever pitch Monday, the pop star, who was outfitted with a pacemaker in July 1999, was out shopping in the Big Apple, exercising his credit cards.

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