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| ELTON JOHN NEWS ARCHIVE: April 2004 |
| George Michael rules UK radio ... Thursday, April 29 2004 |
... but Elton John is breathing down his neck.
George Michael has been played more times on UK radio in the last 20 years than any other artist, it has emerged.
The former Wham star, who has enjoyed massive success as a solo artist, picked-up an award commemorating his achievement at the Radio Academy's annual music radio conference in London on April 28, 2004.
Michael, accepting the prize, told the audience: "I can't believe it. I've only made six albums in 22 years so I don't know how this happened. I'm the luckiest writer on earth," reports the BBC.
The honour was decided from information collected from more than 600 radio stations across the country.
Sir Elton John was second in the Top Ten, with Robbie Williams third. Kylie Minogue and Madonna are the only two females to feature, at four and six respectively.
The Top 10 is as follows:
1. George Michael
2. Elton John
3. Robbie Williams
4. Kylie Minogue
5. Bryan Adams
6. Madonna
7. Phil Collins
8. Cliff Richard
9. Mick Hucknall
10. Paul McCartney
| Elton calls US Idol vote 'racist' Thursday, April 29 2004 |
Sir Elton John has branded the public vote for TV musical talent show American Idol "incredibly racist".
His comments follow the shock exit of black vocalist Jennifer Hudson, who was one of the favourites to win.
"The three people I was really impressed with, and they just happened to be black, young female singers. And they all seem to be landing in the bottom three," said Elton at a news conference on April 29, 2004. Programme maker Fox Television declined to comment.
Elton, who was a guest judge on the show earlier this month, said Jennifer Hudson, La Toya London and Fantasia Barrino all had " great voices".
"The fact that they're constantly in the bottom three - and I don't want to set myself up here - but I find it incredibly racist."
The Jennifer Hudson result prompted the show's host Ryan Seacrest to remind viewers that the series was a talent show, not a popularity contest. "America, don't forget you have to vote for the talent. You cannot let talent like this slip through the cracks," he said at the end of last week's show.Related News
Tuesday, April 6 2004 at 04:54:47
| Elton John and band performed in Portland on April 23, 2004 Monday, April 26 2004 |
Fan report by Richard Antoine Cornforth.
I’m writing this in a daze, back in Québec city- tongue tied and twisted, under the spell of yesterday’s incredible evening with the great Sir Elton John. You would think that after thirty years of seeing this legendary man in concert the magic might fade or be replaced by subdued admiration… not at all!
In the second that the hammer hit, Elton took us on board the main express and quite simply showed us why his legacy endures. Two and a half hours of musical bliss and no better ticket to ride anywhere on the planet.
I got to Portland’s Civic Centre about 45 minutes before the show and already the energy level in the audience was spectacular. Some really cool fans in their «Elton Rocks Vegas» T-shirts shared stories about the Red Piano and I had a few good laughs chatting with a couple of eccentrics. I settled in my excellent piano side Rocket seat (thank you eltonjohn.com) and started smiling like I did in 1974, the year I first saw EJ in Montréal.
Lights down - Davey & Nigel, Guy Babylon, Bob Birch and John Mahon make their way across the stage and then voilà the spotlight hits the One who’s been known to change the weather! The crowd instantly erupts and Elton grins in his childish, mischievous way as he gets to his piano on cue for the first lines of "The Bitch is Back2.
This New England crowd was on its feet singing and dancing for almost the entire show. After hammering out "Bennie And The Jets" and elegantly saying hello in his black and red outfit, Elton settled down to play "Levon". This song just gets better and better with the years. I have never heard him sing it so beautifully.
In hits like "Daniel", "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" or "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word", Elton’s vocal range has changed, but we feel the strength in his voice and the delicate sensitivity of his register.
"I Want Love", "Tiny Dancer" and the brilliant solo interpretations of "Nikita", "Original Sin" and "Candle In the Wind" were particularly moving this way. So many highlights throughout the evening.
What hasn’t been said about the "Rocket Man" and his timeless flight? Elton’s piano playing is pure creative genius. An incomparable pleasure and privilege to hear live… He is such a generous musician and master performer.
An hour and a half into the set Elton and the band had yet to play: "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", "Believe", "All The Girls Love Alice", "I’m Still Standing" and "Saturday Night’s Alright"… quite the line up for any fan! Total heaven for me.
As he introduced "Believe", there was a very touching moment when Elton mentioned this song was about love and the hope for a better world and everyone spontaneously cheered. Towards the end of the show, just before "Crocodile Rock" and "Pinball Wizard", I made my way to the front of the stage and got to hang out in front of the piano for the encores.
There’s something quite extraordinary about making eye contact with Elton John as he is singing "Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me". To see him smile as he plays "Your Song" two feet away from you is even better. To walk away with a signed copy of 'Are You Ready For Love' made it perfect.
Thank you Sir Elton for all the joy your music has brought to my life. May you continue to improve, through your music and love, the lives of everyone around you for many years to come. See you at Wembley this summer.
Following is the complete setlist of the Portland, Maine show on April 24, 2004:
| Crank it up, Clive Saturday, April 24 2004 |
Clive Young has written a book about concert sound engineers called "Crank It Up". The book has a good-sized chapter devoted to the 2002-2003 Elton John & Billy Joel "Face To Face Tour".
To be fair, the chapter is technical in some places, but it has some insight into how they made the show happen.
There's also discussion with Elton's live engineers -- Clive Franks, Alan Richardson and Mark Dowdle -- on what it's like to work for Elton, how they shape the audio on certain songs live; and a lot more.
Music gearheads will particularly dig it, as it has a complete gear list of the audio equipment used (not instruments though) and info on how they used it all to make Elton and Billy sound awesome every night.
Overall, there's 33 different bands' tours profiled in the book, ranging from The Rolling Stones to Tool to Beyonce to the Dixie Chicks to the Sex Pistols -- something for everyone. You can find out a bit more about it at Clive's site, or at the publisher's site.
| Elton John and band performed in Manchester on April 23, 2004 Saturday, April 24 2004 |
Following is the complete setlist of the Manchester show on April 23, 2004:
| Update: EltonJohn at Rainforst Benefit 2004 Thursday, April 22 2004 |
Elton John wore a strap-on beak as he sang "The Woody Woodpecker Song" during "Singin' in the Rainforest," the 12th Rainforest Foundation Carnegie Hall Benefit Concert on April 21, 2004.
Sting and Sir Elton John performed to raise money for a charity which supports rainforest tribes. They joined Billy Joel, James Taylor and Bette Midler at the city's Carnegie Hall at a fund-raising show in aid of the Rainforest Foundation.
The singers reinterpreted hit songs from musical and film history at the Singing in the Rainforest concert. The charity was launched by Sting and his wife Trudie Styler in 1989.
It was set up to support the indigenous populations of the world's rainforests. This year's fund-raiser - the 13th annual event - was hosted by actors Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith.
Elton also performed "Johnny Be Good" with actor Michael J. Fox and Billy Joel as well as with event organizer Sting.
Following is the complete setlist:
‘Help’ (Sting/Antonio Banderas/Billy Joel) Related News
Sunday, March 14 2004 at 10:48:02
Friday, February 27 2004 at 05:14:16
| Autographed sheetmusic up for auction Thursday, April 22 2004 |
An copy of the "Candle in the Wind 1997" sheetmusic signed by Elton John is up for auction at Ebay - benefiting a local elementary school in Los Angeles.
The auction will close on April 26, 2004. See http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39633&item=3908390246">Ebay for more details.
| Elton John piano sold for US$164,500 Monday, April 19 2004 |
The eBay auction for the historic 1974 jumpsuit Elton John wore at the Thanksgiving Concert at Madison Square Garden at which John Lennon appeared on stage with him has been sold – for a mere US$21,500.
Also up for auction at the time was the upright piano on which Elton composed many of his early hits. Once gifted to Bryan Forbes (who made the 70’s documentary “Elton John and Bernie Taupin say Goodbye to Norma Jean and Other Things”), and signed by both Elton and Bernie, this item fetched a handsome US$164,500.Related News
Sunday, March 21 2004 at 16:15:14
| Elton recorded duet with Catherine Britt Monday, April 19 2004 |
As already announced here earlier, Elton recorded a duet with young Australian country singer Catherine Britt in Atlanta the week of April 12, 2004.
The song was written by Catherine and friend Jerry Salley and will be released on her upcoming RCA album. The whole session was filmed by Channel 9 Australia and excerpts will be shown on "A Current Affair" probably before the end of April 2004.
The session was produced by Keith Stegall. The song is called "Where We Both Say Goodbye".Related News
Sunday, March 21 2004 at 16:18:57
| Elton John and band performed in Amherst on April 17, 2004 Monday, April 19 2004 |
Following is the complete set list of the Amherst show on April 17, 2004:
| Elton John and band performed in Reading on April 16, 2004 Sunday, April 18 2004 |
Fan Report by Patricia Gennario. Photos by Jeannie Bohn.
I had eighth row seats on the right side of the stage for Elton's concert in Reading on April 16, 2004. What a great show!
Elton looked very happy on-stage and the band was enjoying the show as well. Elton wore the black rhinestone studded tuxedo and long blue shirt he wore in Atlantic City and the band wore colorful shirts.
Elton started off the show with "Bennie And The Jets"! The whole crowd was up dancing and singing! Four songs later Elton dedicated the next song to all the men and women fighting overseas. He thanked them and God Bless them. The song was written on the SS France: "Someone Saved My Life Tonight". He sang it beautifully with such emotion the brave men and women were definitely in our thoughts throughout the song.
Elton gave us a real treat that night, he played three songs from "Songs From The West Coast": "Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes", "I Want Love" and his favorite "Original Sin", which he did solo.
He also played "Believe", which I've never heard live. Elton introduced the band to rousing applause and even mentioned the late great Dee Murray. The band left the stage and Elton did a three song solo: "Nikita", which he said he has rarely done in America, "Candle In The Wind" and "Original Sin". The applause was thundering after each song.
The piano sounded magical as did all the music. Elton did some amazing extended piano playing, and "Rocket Man" was incredible -- the best I've ever heard. You could see Elton wasn't pleased with the sound during parts of the show, but the audience loved every minute of the 2 and 3/4 hours he played.
I wasn't fortunate enough to get an autograph, but Elton thanked me for my sign wishing him a Happy (although belated) Birthday! Thank you Elton and the band for an amazing show!
Following is the complete set list of the Reading show on April 16, 2004:
| Elton supports Posh Tuesday, April 13 2004 |
Victoria and David Beckham are secretly flying home to Britain on April 12, 2004 for a showdown over revelations of his fling with a new girl.
The pair will spend the day in crisis talks at their home in Sawbridgeworth, Herts, as they try to shore up their marriage.
The heart-to-heart comes after 29-year-old model Sarah Marbeck told of a passionate two-year affair with David, 28.
It also emerged that Sir Elton John has been calling Posh every day to give her his support and a shoulder to cry on.
Elton — who is a long-time friend of the couple — has offered them the use of his house in Atlanta, if they want to talk things through away from the spotlight.
A pal of Elton’s said: "He has always been very close to both Victoria and David. He counts them as his closest friends."
He knows there is little he can do in the current climate but offer his support.
"He has told Victoria that both of them are welcome to fly out to his Atlanta home, get away from the glare of publicity and sort out their problems."
Beckham is planning a new book to give his account of the alleged affairs, it was claimed.
Tom Watt, who helped pen Beckham’s autobiography My Side, said: "David likes the idea of another book as he knows they offer a chance to explode myths."
| The top-selling albums and musicians in Australia Thursday, April 8 2004 |
Prepared by David Dale for The Sydney Morning Herald, based on each performer's total sales of vinyl and CD albums, using estimates from the Australian Record Industry Association and music researcher David Kent's Australian Chart Book.
Rank 1
Performer: Elton John
Most Successful Year: 1973
Bestselling Album : Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
| Oldie gold stars Wednesday, April 7 2004 |
Britain's top ten mega-wealthy oldie but goldie rock stars (average age 57½).
1. Sir Paul McCartney, 61, £725m:
Rakes in millions from The Beatles, Wings and solo work.
2. Sir Elton John, 57, £225m:
Will earn a further £30million for 75 Las Vegas shows this year.
3. Sir Mick Jagger, 61, £205m:
Rolling Stone has gathered £150million in the past decade alone.
4. Tom Jones, 64, £180m:
Earns £7million a year in Las Vegas and millions more from songs and investments.
5. Sting, 52, £180m:
Former Police frontman’s earnings soared when he went solo in the 80s.
6. Keith Richards, 60, £165m:
The Stones star lives in Connecticut.
7. Phil Collins, 53, £150m:
The ex-Genesis drummer’s bank balance skyrocketed after he went solo.
8. Eric Clapton, 58, £120m:
Has pocketed £79million in the past decade.
9. David Bowie, 57, £105m:
The rock star enjoys royalties from a music career spanning 40 years.
10. Ozzy Osbourne, 56, £80m:
Earns millions from Black Sabbath, solo royalties and his MTV show.
| American Idol goes Elton John Tuesday, April 6 2004 |
The nine remaining contestants will perform from the songbook of pop icon Elton John this week on AMERICAN IDOL, April 6, 2004 (8:00-9:00 PM live ET/tape-delayed PT on Fox).
While preparing for the show, the contestants had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit around the piano with Elton, who has been entertaining for decades and is a five-time Grammy Award winner.
Tamyra Gray, finalist from the first season of AMERICAN IDOL, will perform "Raindrops Will Fall," a ballad from her upcoming solo CD, on April 7, 2004 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed).
AMERICAN IDOL ranks as the No. 1 program of the season among Adults 18-49 and Total Viewers.
| Delta SkyWish Program Partners With the Elton John AIDS Foundation Friday, April 2 2004 |
Delta Air Lines has designated the Elton John AIDS Foundation as the SkyWish Charity of the Quarter. SkyMiles program members may contribute miles to support the organization's efforts to help individuals affected by and those living with HIV/AIDS.
"We are pleased to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation's efforts to further this noble cause," said Robert Borden, Delta's SkyMiles program director. "The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a far-reaching problem, which affects many more than just those with the disease. With the help of Delta's SkyWish program and SkyMiles program members, the miles donated will help fund programs addressing this global concern."
"The Elton John AIDS Foundation greatly appreciates Delta Air Lines' support in bringing worldwide awareness to our cause," said John Scott, president of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. "The foundation firmly believes in prevention education as a strong way to bring an end to this devastating disease."
Donations may be made via e-mail at delta.bids@delta.com, by calling 800-325-3999 or via FAX at 404-773-1945. SkyMiles program members should include their SkyMiles account number, the amount of miles to be donated and note that the Elton John AIDS Foundation is the charity that their miles will benefit.
There is a 5,000-mile minimum donation, and Delta will boost each donation by adding 1,000 miles for every 5,000 miles contributed. SkyWish donations are not tax deductible for Delta Air Lines or SkyMiles program members.
| Don't shoot us ... it's April Fool's Day Friday, April 2 2004 |
Did you spot the April Fool's joke on the Hercules website? There were in fact two news items that we made up this year.
Probably the most obvious one was the news item "Colosseum to be renamed". Did you try to attend the press conference at Casears Palace on April 1, 2004? Well, sorry ... we made that story up. Although we still believe it would be more than appropriate to rename the venue.
The second April Fool's joke apparently was a lot less obvious: Lots of fans called our faked phone number in Las Vegas and sang their heart out (news item "See 'The Red Piano' and meet Elton"). Congratulations to all of you, you all indentified the correct songs. Unfortunately, there are no prizes to give away, and in fact there isn't even a radio station by the name of Kool 98.5 FM in Las Vegas.
We hope you won't hate us for these jokes. We were sure that Elton fans are humorous people, so we thought we could get away with this.
© 1997-2017 by HERCULES International. Hercules is not affiliated with Elton John`s management or the Elton John Aids Foundation. Please note that this site has been discontinued on March 31, 2017 and will not be updated anymore. |