|
| Home | News | Tour | Charts | Board | Archive | Shop | Links | FAQ | Contact |
| Back to News Archive |
| ELTON JOHN NEWS ARCHIVE: June 2014 |
| Elton John performed in Buckinghamshire on June 28, 2014 Sunday, June 29 2014 |
Following is the complete set list of the Stoke Park set list on June 28, 2014.
| Elton says Jesus would back gay marriage Sunday, June 29 2014 |
Elton John has revealed plans for a "very quiet" wedding - and said he believes Jesus Christ would support gay priests getting married.
In an exclusive interview with Sky News, the star told Dermot Murnaghan he hopes to marry David Furnish some time next year and that it would be a low-key affair. He also revealed his thoughts about the Pope - describing him as a "wonderful" man whose tolerance was an example to the Church of England.
The entertainer also spoke about the launch of a new fund to support the training of young athletes determined to compete in the Olympics and Paralympics. He said he hoped a concert, performed for the charity SportsAid at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire on June 28, 2014, would raise £500,000 for the fund.
Elton told Murnaghan that the global fight for gay rights was stalling and that he planned to talk with Vladimir Putin in Russia on the subject in November 2014. "Globally, we seem to have gone backwards over the last 18 months," Elton said. "I will see Putin and talk to him - I don't know what good it will do though."
Discussing gay rights, he said that the Church of England might learn from the humility and tolerance of Pope Francis. "The new Pope has been wonderful, he's excited me so much," Elton said. "He's stripped it [the Church] down to the bare bones and said it's all basically about love."
Elton agreed that gay clergy should be allowed to get married and suggested that the celibacy vow for Catholic priests be abolished. "These are old and stupid things. If Jesus Christ was alive today, I cannot see him, as the Christian person that he was and the great person that he was, saying this could not happen. He was all about love and compassion and forgiveness and trying to bring people together and that's what the church should be about."
Asked about his own wedding, he said: "I don't think we can get married until next year. However, when we do do, it will be very quiet and off the cuff - we had our big shebang when we had our civil union."
Sir Elton also described the Glastonbury festival as the ultimate music event - but said he had never been asked to perform there.
| 40 Years Ago: Elton John Releases ‘Caribou’ Sunday, June 29 2014 |
Elton John and his seasoned touring band had a little more than a week to complete all the tracks for the ‘Caribou’ album.
Can an album be recorded in only nine days? Sure it can. Heck, the Beatles only needed less than 13 hours in the studio to record their debut LP, and it’s a stone cold classic. Elton John and his seasoned touring band had a little more than a week to complete all the tracks for the ‘Caribou’ album. Recorded in January 1974, just before the boys were embarking on a tour of Japan, producer Gus Dudgeon spent some time adding backing vocals and additional instrumentation before the album’s release in late June 1974. It quickly shot to No. 1 in the U.S. and the U.K.
But is it a classic? Hard to say. It’s definitely sandwiched between two undisputed masterpieces, ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road‘ and ‘Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.’ Compared to those epics — the former a double album full of hits and legendary deep cuts, the latter a song cycle chronicling Elton and Bernie‘s long strange trip into superstardom — most albums probably wouldn’t measure up.
Perhaps “classic” is just too strong a word. Let’s say instead that ‘Caribou’ is a really solid effort from Elton in what’s easily his most creatively fertile and successful period. Two of the tracks from ‘Caribou’ have gone on to become signature songs for the Rocket Man. The opening cut, ‘The Bitch Is Back,’ is a staple of Elton’s live act and classic rock radio. It’s become sonic wallpaper, but give it a closer listen next time it stumbles into view; the Tower of Power horns kill and Davey Johnstone’s guitar is still so fresh and so clean.
The other classic track, ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,’ almost didn’t make it to the record. Apparently the session where Elton recorded his vocal was difficult because the singer was never satisfied with his efforts. At one point, according to Philip Norman’s ‘Sir Elton: The Definitive Biography,’ Elton listened to a playback and remarked, “That’s a load of crap. You can send it to Engelbert Humperdinck, and if he doesn’t like it, you can give it to Lulu as a demo.”
But what’s magical about ‘Don’t Let the Sun’ isn’t just Elton’s vocal; it’s what happens around it. Ray Cooper, who would later tour solo with Elton and has session and live history with several other British rock luminaries, adds just the right flourishes on tambourine and sleigh bells. The echo of the drums calls to mind Phil Spector‘s productions. And recognizing the debt some of his songs owed to them, Elton invited the Beach Boys to participate in the backing vocals; Bruce Johnson and Carl Wilson both add their distinctive voices to the mix. The pieces and parts may seem cheesy on their own; taken together, they’re a powerful testament to Elton and Taupin’s songwriting, and the strength of their ’70s-era band.
On other ‘Caribou’ songs, the band continues to take center stage, including Elton’s own keyboard skills. The uptempo rocker ‘You’re So Static’ kicks off with a deep funky groove and quickly builds to a frenzied crescendo of distorted guitar, horns, and tambourine — every instrumentalist firing on all cylinders, goading each other to the limits of their skills. At the center is Elton’s piano, his fingers on a manic sprint up and down the keys. ‘Pinky’ offers a lighter vibe, a mid-tempo ballad punctuated by Cooper on bongos and Dave Hentschel on synthesizer. Johnstone slips in between the lines of the chorus with spot-on acoustic guitar licks.
Some of the songs on ‘Caribou’ were no doubt quickie castoffs, but each of them has their charms. This is not one of Elton’s towering achievements in pop music. Instead, ‘Caribou’ represents the simple pleasure of a brilliant rock songwriter and performer working quickly at the top of his game, surrounded by an incredible band. Even if its ambitions are small, it fully realizes those ambitions. ‘Caribou’ doesn’t have to be a classic to be a great listen.
'Caribou' was written and recorded at Caribou Ranch, whcih was recently sold. Like he did with 'Honky Chateau' (the Chateau de' Houerville), Elton named the album after the physical location, but perhaps didn't want the public knowing where the band recorded at the time.
'Caribou' went to # 1 in the USA, the U.K., Canada, and Australia. 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' went to # 2 on the USA Billboard chart, 'The Bitch Is Back' went to # 4. Both songs went to # 1 in Canada.Related News
Friday, June 27 2014 at 08:09:46
| The Caribou Ranch has recently been sold Friday, June 27 2014 |
Colorado high country, big blue skies, quaking aspen, mountain streams, eagles and elk, and the history of rock and roll.
This is what Caribou Ranch is all about. The name Caribou Ranch evokes memories of an extraordinary place where the greatest pop musicians of the day gathered to be inspired by the beauty and spirit of the Rocky Mountains.
Just outside Nederland, Colorado, near Boulder and Denver, Caribou sits serenely at 8,500 feet in a private valley surrounded by alpine peaks. It is stunning, it is peaceful, it is a refuge…and there is definitely music in the air.
In the late 1960s, owner Jim Guercio was a young musician and entrepreneur in the entertainment business. He was looking at ranches throughout the West where he could build a music studio. In 1971, Jim purchased the Caribou Ranch with a vision to transform the recording industry. Guercio wanted a place where he could live and where he could provide lodging, recreational facilities and a state of the art recording studio for producing records and hosting the biggest names in rock and roll – a place where artistry would flourish and history could be made. And that is exactly what he created.
For the next decade, legends in the music business came to work, to play, to ignite their creative process, and to make records. Elton John, Chicago, The Beach Boys, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchell, U2, Joe Walsh, Stevie Wonder, Stephen Stills, Earth Wind and Fire, John Lennon, Rod Stewart, Waylon Jennings, Dan Fogelberg, Amy Grant, John Denver, Willie Nelson, Badfinger, Charlie Daniels, War, Michael Martin Murphy, America, Kris Kristofferson, Supertramp, Michael W. Smith, Jeff Beck, Al Green – the list is long. The writing and recording that took place at the Caribou recording studio resulted in sales of over 100 million albums. The ratio of albums recorded here that charted or went multi-platinum was possibly the highest in the industry.
Today, Caribou Ranch is a peaceful refuge – far enough away to provide seclusion, close enough to enjoy all that Denver and Boulder have to offer. At 8,500 feet in elevation, Caribou’s majestic alpine character includes mature aspen and pine trees, expansive mountain views, an abundance of wildlife, live water in year-round creeks, and crisp mountain air. Amenities include a beautiful owner’s home, guest cabins, a lodge, riding area, barn, and equipment buildings.
Several years ago, Boulder County Parks and Open Space acquired about half of the original ranch, ensuring perpetual open lands adjacent to Caribou Ranch, and reserving for the owner, access to a private trail system on the open space. The ranch is also close to Rocky Mountain National Park and has direct access to National Forest lands.
A conservation easement protects and enhances the ranch while providing the opportunity to construct additional improvements in various locations and in a manner that respects the character of the land. Recreational activities to be enjoyed include fly-fishing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Rocky Mountain Airport, 45 minutes from the ranch, can accommodate private jet aircraft.
The allure of Caribou Ranch, defined by its mountain splendor and quiet privacy, speaks to discriminating buyers who can appreciate its unique natural beauty, ideal location, and rich musical history – all the reasons it has inspired those who pass through its gates.
This property has been sold and is no longer available.
| Bright Light Bright Light chats about working with icon Elton John Friday, June 27 2014 |
ChronicleLive catched up with Bright Light Bright Light, aka Rod Thomas, to talk about Elton John and music.
Elton John is at the Metro Radio Arena on July 2, 2014, with support from Bright Light Bright Light. ChronicleLive caught up with Bright Light Bright Light, aka Rod Thomas, to find out what it is like to work with such a musical icon.
How does it feel to be touring with Elton John?
I don’t think it’s really sunk in ... until I’m actually on the stage. I’ve done big shows before but not this big, and touring with someone so legendary is beyond anything I ever expected!
He features on a song on your album, how did that come about and how does it make you feel to have such a legend appearing on your album?
There really are no words to explain how it feels to have him on my song. Even having him listen to my last record was incredible to me, so to have Elton sing on this one - it’s just so overwhelming, and so humbling. He’s an incredible man who takes time to offer advice to new artists, and always looks out for new talent. I don’t know many young, new artists who do that, let alone someone as busy as him and as iconic as him! We met years ago, and he liked my debut album, so we became friends and talked about music, so while I was playing him new songs, he liked ‘I Wish We Were Leaving’ and I asked him to sing on it. And unbelievably he said yes!!
Are you looking forward to playing some shows with him?
YES. It’s always so amazing to be able to play shows, but especially with Elton. It’s going to be a big one for me!
How has growing up in Wales impacted on musical career?
Well I think growing up in rural Wales as an only child gave me the time and the space to really lose myself in music and writing when I was growing up. I think subconsciously, hearing Male Voice Choirs as part of Welsh culture gave me a real love for choral vocals and harmonies. Harmonies are my main love in music. And I think Bonnie Tyler added a fair bit of drama to my music!
What can we expect from your live shows?
Lots of energy and lots of fun! I absolutely love playing live. Making music is amazing, and spending every day doing that is such a golden position, but really it’s when I get to take the songs out of the studio that the fun starts. For me music is about connections, with other people and the world outside the studio, so getting to play the songs to a room full of people, or a stadium in the case of the Elton tour, is amazing!
| Producer Stuart Epps looks back Thursday, June 26 2014 |
Stuart Epps was 15 when he began work as an errand boy at Dick James Music in England.
He was Elton John's personal assistant for several years, accompanying him on tours as Elton's career took root, then took off. Epps rose through the ranks, becoming a noted engineer and producer. Along the way, he's worked with Jimmy Page, George Harrison, Oasis, Bill Wyman and Eric Clapton. He also enjoys working with newer artists, such as Erie's Dual Identity. Epps reminisced during a phone interview with Dave Richards of the Erie Times. Some highlights:
Elton. Epps last saw him when Elton contributed to a forthcoming tribute CD to English singer-songwriter Frankie Miller. "He ended up doing a duet with (Miller), and he also played piano on the track and he was absolutely brilliant, as usual. It was great to see him. He's in a wonderful mood since he has a family now. The first thing he does is show you all the kids, the family shots, like a proud mom. He's a much happier guy these days."
Lennon's lost bet. John Lennon sang with Elton at Madison Square Garden in 1974 after "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" hit No. 1, as Elton predicted. Epps stood next to Lennon before the ex-Beatle hit the stage for his first U.S. concert appearance in years.
"He was just petrified. I could just tell he was really nervous. ... He genuinely didn't know what the reaction would be. The whole Madison Square Garden just took off in what became like white noise and it seemed to go on forever, the shouting and applause. That was the beginning. Then, 'I Saw Her Standing There.' I'm looking at Lennon, because I never saw the Beatles, imagining it was like a Beatles' gig. And it was incredible. We were all so pleased for him because he was so worried about it."
Turn the Page. Epps worked at Gus Dudgeon's Mill Studios, which Page purchased in 1981. Page enlisted him to work on "Coda," which featured unreleased Zep tracks. "The idea was to put together a tribute album (for John Bonham) built around 'Bonzo's Montreux,' which was all drums. It was definitely an experience working with Jimmy. He's quite eccentric, I suppose, is a good word."
Epps also worked with Page on "Death Wish 2." "That was more interesting to me to be honest. Jimmy is a great guitarist, obviously, but he's also a very clever musician when it comes to producing and putting arrangements together. I learned a lot from him in that process."
Harrison. Page had recommended Mill Studio to Harrison. "A second Beatle arriving. I don't get lost for words, but when it's someone as important as that, you don't want to blow it. You don't want to tell people you met George Harrison and you (wet) yourself. I suppose I've been around a few (stars) and I try to treat everyone normally. But the fact is, George Harrison was such a sweet, lovely and down-to-earth guy, it wasn't difficult."
On talent. When asked if there's a common denominator to superstars such as John, Page and Harrison, Epps cited "determination" and "passion," as well as being tough and resilient enough to take hard knocks along the way.
| Elton cancels his white tie and tiara party Thursday, June 26 2014 |
The event has raised more than £50million for Elton's Aids Foundation, but
this year there will be a September garden party at Elton's home instead.
It has been held up as one of the most glittering events in the summer’s social calendar. But Elton John’s lavish charity garden party, the White Tie and Tiara Ball, has been cancelled this year – amid fears that it was losing its social cachet.
For the past 15 years, Elton has entertained A-list stars including Sharon Stone, Bill Clinton and Catherine Zeta-Jones at his £20million Windsor mansion. Thanks to tickets costing up to £10,000 and a competitive charity auction, the ball has raised more than £50million for his Aids Foundation.
But some have claimed the event has begun to lose its appeal in recent years, attracting only minor celebrities such as Peter Andre and Kerry Katona. In 2010 - when it had a Gaga in Wonderland theme in tribute to the American singer Lady Gaga - there were reports that 450 guests had bought their invitations through ticketing agencies.
A year later, Elton was forced to sue one of his guests after he allegedly failed to pay the £700,000 he bid at the charity auction in return for a day out with the singer and his husband David Furnish. The dispute was later resolved. And in 2012, the ball reached new lows when Dame Shirley Bassey reportedly complained that the toilets were blocked, with guests comparing the ball to the muddy Glastonbury music festival.
A source told the Daily Mail: "While Elton and the team put in a huge amount of work and enjoyed it, they realised there are other ways to raise funds and they wanted to stop before it became a joke."
Last night, the Elton John Aids Foundation said it had decided to give the White Tie and Tiara Ball a ‘break’, and said it would hold two alternative fundraisers over the summer and in September. It is understood the September garden party – which will also be held at Sir Elton’s home - will be smaller than the annual June ball it replaces and is expected to have a far more restricted guest list. But Elton’s spokesman claimed the ball had been cancelled only because of a clash with tour dates, adding: "There’s a huge event in September. It will be the same people, the same thing, just not the White Tie, that’s all."
| Tell me what the papers say ... Thursday, June 26 2014 |
“Elton John and his hubby David Furnish got into an epic fight aboard their flight” to Bonnaroo last weekend, claimRadarOnline and the National Enquirer.
An “insider” tells the sister outlets that the couple “flew a few friends with them to the gig” last weekend, but Elton supposedly became “pissed” when one of the pal’s was late for the trip. “He got super annoyed and even more so when David told him he was basically acting like a brat,” the alleged source tells the Enquirer and RadarOnline, which claim “that’s when all hell broke loose.”
The so-called “insider” alleges, “David calling out Elton sent him into a huge rage,” with the singer going as far as “threatening to pull the plug on funding for his Elton John AIDS Foundation… knowing it’s one of the things that means the most to David.” The tipster says that Elton ultimately “went in a separate part of the plane for a while and cooled off,” and “when he came back out he played if off by making a joke about it. It’s a common occurrence between Elton and David, but definitely went further than their friends had seen before,” alleges the publications’ snitch.
Here’s what’s true about this story: Elton John performed at Bonnaroo. Here’s what’s not true about this story: Everything else. No such fight took place because David wasn’t on the plane — or even in this country.
A rock-solid source exclusively tells Gossip Cop, “David was in the UK when this supposedly took place, and not on any flight to Bonnaroo.” Stressing that the claims are “100 percent incorrect,” the pal says it’s especially galling that the outlets tried to drag in the Elton John AIDS Foundation. “Elton has supported this foundation forever, and would never ever, ever, ever pull his funding.”
Perhaps recognizing that its story was both wrong and potentially libelous, RadarOnline has since pulled it from its website.Related News
Wednesday, June 25 2014 at 17:49:08
| Elton John and band performed in Nottingham on June 24, 2014 Thursday, June 26 2014 |
Following is the complete set list of the Nottingham show on June 24, 2014.
| Elton John and band performed In St. Gallen on June 22, 2014 Thursday, June 26 2014 |
Following is the complete set list of the St. Gallen show on June 22, 2014.
| Help rebuilding Elton's first recording studio Wednesday, June 25 2014 |
Chiltern Open Air Museum is a registered charity inspiring present and future generations with stories of Chilterns historic buildings, people and places.
The Museum rescues buildings at threat of demolition. They store them until they can put them up on their site, which is open to the public. Elton’s first recording studio is one of these buildings.
Please give towards this project. You can donate to the project here. The museum needs to raise £50,000 to get the project off the ground. This will allow them to:
| Spirit in the sky Wednesday, June 25 2014 |
Elton and David got into an epic fight aboard their flight and friends fear it’s a “common occurrence,” a source exclusively tells RadarOnline.
“Elton’s been doing a string of shows lately, the most recent being Bonnaroo this last weekend. Elton and David flew a few friends with them to the gig and they all know Elton gets pissed when something isn’t completely on his schedule,” the insider told Radar.
| Elton John and band performed at Leigh Sports Village on June 21, 2014 Sunday, June 22 2014 |
Fan report and interviews by Scott Johnson.
The anticipation, you might say, was palpable.
When I arrived at Leigh Sports Village (amidst the advertising banners hailing Saturday night’s concert) there was a gathering crowd, waving everything from glow sticks to inflatable guitars, and wearing anything from outrageous glasses to garish feather boas. As I watched them collecting outside the pubs and grassy knolls that peppered the outskirts of the arena, you could almost have mistaken this for Elton John’s 1970s heyday.
For Leigh, this concert – Elton’s first in both the town itself and the UK this year – was big news. It seemed improbable to many that a small northern town like this would play host to a global superstar of his standing. But stranger things have happened.
The relatively new Sports Village stadium welcomed with adoration a man who, whilst travelling the globe, has slipped with ease onto stages as far and wide as Caesars Palace, Madison Square Garden and London’s Wembley Arena. Tonight, though, it was like seeing Elton John coming back to his roots. The superstar was, as if channelling his recent single, home again.
Elton John’s fans are notoriously diverse, and his broad appeal was never more apparent than here: I spoke with a group who had seen him during his 1976 “Louder Than Concorde” tour, the eldest of their party telling me that no concert they’d been to since had ever quite matched that summer night in Earl’s Court at the pinnacle of John’s career. The younger generation were here too, their hearts and minds having been won by staples of the 1990s like Circle of Life and the Diana-inspired reworking of Candle in the Wind.
The audience at Leigh were, perhaps, not unique in their diversity. Swathes of the crowd were made up of casual concert-goers, drawn by the prestige of having a celebrity of Elton’s calibre playing their local rugby ground. Worse for wear, some of them gate-crashed the front seating area (much to the chagrin of those on the front row), and the venue’s security seemed, at times, ill-equipped to cope. Generally, though, it was sheer enthusiasm that was fuelling them (only one slight disturbance marred the night, when a drunken reveller was manhandled out of the arena after turning violent), and unrelenting chants of “Elton! Elton!” filled the silence between practically every song.
Not unsurprisingly, it was the more familiar material that this crowd (with some notable exceptions below) were yearning for. A group carrying a print-out of a possible set list published online earlier in the day were frantically searching the itinerary of songs, trying to identify the hitherto unknown "Hey Ahab," to which only the seasoned fans were singing along. When falling back on hits like "I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues" and "I’m Still Standing," Elton had a stadium full of backing singers!
Elton himself seemed to be feeding off the crowd’s high spirits; with the area in front of the stage filled before even a third of the concert had passed, and those who had crammed in showing no signs of dispersing, Elton looked across the stage to Kim Bullard and exhaled in wonder, Bullard returning the gesture with a wry shake of the head to convey his disbelief. No one was going back to their seat.
Before the show started, I followed the trail of the front row to speak to some of the fans who’d come out in the June heat wave to collect their thoughts for this report. (I bypassed the stag party, who were clutching several boxes of beer and a cardboard cut-out of Elton.)
I met Amanda Redbridge from Greater Manchester first. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" was, she told me, the first record she ever bought. When the opening bars of "Funeral for a Friend" played out from the stage, Amanda told me it was like “going back in time” – she confessed that, as a young girl, she was terrified of the instrumental! When I asked her what brought her to Leigh Sports Village tonight, she told me: “I just love Elton. I just love everything about him.” Despite her long-time devotion, this was to be the first time she had seen him live.
Seated ten paces away from Amanda, facing Elton’s piano stool, I met Chris Vobe. If you ever needed proof of how far and wide Elton appeals, look no further. Aged 25, Vobe is a politician (but don’t let that put you off, honestly), having found himself elected to Warrington Council a couple of years back.
If you were to categorise Elton John followers as either the “casual” or the “die-hard”, Vobe is unquestionably the latter; what one might call, in fact, a “professional fan”. At one point, our conversation side-tracked onto fan-made recordings of Elton concerts. Vobe’s assemblage of these, and other assorted archive material, is so extensive that even the most hardened collector’s eyes would water. He is, by his own admittance, “ridiculously enthusiastic” about Elton John, having followed his UK and European tours extensively since he was old enough. Despite having seen him so many times, the gloss hasn’t worn off. Vobe lives ten minutes away from the Leigh arena. “I’ve seen him play the Royal Opera House, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Doncaster, Shrewsbury… and now he’s pitched up ten minutes from my house!” he enthused. (He’s off to Newcastle next week to see the whole thing again.)
Talking to someone who grew up in the 1990s, it’s interesting to hear them cite Elton John as “the soundtrack to my childhood”, but Vobe did; he recalls playing albums like "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" on his turntable (vinyl is his medium of choice because, as he puts it, “the sound is better”) when he was in his teens. He religiously seats himself on the front row, facing Elton, every time he attends a concert. There’s also a definite look of wonderment etched across his face from the moment the show begins until the last bar is played.
What struck me on Saturday night was the appreciation shown even for Elton’s lesser known material. Admittedly, very few in the crowd sang along to "Oceans Away" (the only song from his 2013 album "The Diving Board" that Elton played), but there was a noticeable roar as he introduced the track by paying tribute to the members of the armed forces who had fought for freedom. By this point in the concert, Vobe had stealthily moved from his front row seat to stand by the stage, positioned perfectly so as to never lose sight of Elton, but without being crushed by the melee. As a refrain lamenting the lost soared gloriously from Elton’s lips, the 25-year-old politician sang along without missing a beat, matching Elton perfectly on every syllable. As the song finished, Elton leapt from his seat and turned to face that section of the standing crowd. He pointed at Vobe and grinned, before being beckoned over. Elton raced across and extended an arm across the barriers, which Vobe high-fived and shook. As he started to move back to his grand piano, now gleaming with the reflection of the summer sunlight, Vobe mouthed something I couldn’t decipher to Elton, who responded with a nod, a grin, and by pulling his tongue.
Elton perfectly timed his most lavish ballads. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" and "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" were played to some of the most rapturous receptions of the night, and "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me" washed across the crowd of thousands as the summer solstice sun sank behind the rugby stadium. Unable to resist a sporting reference or two, Elton joked that when he was young, he “used to watch the rugby league with Eddie Waring commentating.” He didn’t shy away from his views on the World Cup, either, spelling out his views on some of the more controversial refereeing decisions of recent matches.
A return to the UK meant a slight re-working of the setlist, with a couple of the more American-friendly songs being replaced in favour of UK number ones "Are You Ready for Love" and "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word." Elton left the stage at 10.40pm after a show-stopping "Crocodile Rock" finale. And whilst a performance in Leigh is unlikely ever to be repeated, Elton’s one-night stand here is unlikely ever to be forgotten either. Despite a few minor quibbles with some of the more worse-for-wear attendees, it is also one that can be looked back on as a resounding success.
As the crowds filed out of the stadium, I caught up with Chris Vobe again. I jokingly told him that, from what I’d seen, he hadn’t missed a beat during the whole show. When asked if he fancied joining Elton on stage, Vobe laughed, but then conceded that he’d “jump at the chance”. What would his ideal duet be, I asked him? “Oscar Wilde Gets Out,” he told me without hesitation, but added with a wry shake of the head, “but he’s not playing it on this tour. So maybe "Hey Ahab" instead. Do you think if I asked nicely…?”
Elton John has just played Leigh, enjoyed a crowd as receptive as those who filled Dodger Stadium in the summer of ’75, and brought the ceiling down in a way only he knows how – stranger things have happened!
Scott Johnson lives in London.
Chris Vobe is on Twitter via @ChrisVobe1.
Following is the complete set list of the Leigh Sports Village show on June 21, 2014:
| Elton wants his sons to go to Eton Sunday, June 22 2014 |
Elton John has always liked the finer things in life, and it seems he is determined that his sons don’t miss out either – starting with their education.
Elton and David have enrolled three-year-old Zachary Furnish-John at a smart feeder school for Eton, seemingly with a view to sending him to the £34,000-a-year school that has educated royalty and Prime Ministers since it was established in 1440.
As David explained to the Mail Online: "It is close to our Windsor home and all the Old Etonians I’ve met are the sort of men who can go anywhere and converse with anyone. They are not at all snobbish, and they are wonderfully talented – which is definitely what we want for Zachary and [younger brother] Elijah."
If Zachary does go to Eton, he will know exactly how to sport the tails the pupils are required to wear as uniform – after all his father hosts the legendary White Tie and Tiara ball each year. David also revealed that he and Elton take parenting tips from their best friend Liz Hurley, whose son Damian is one of Elton’s many godchildren.
Speaking to the Mail Online at a GQ dinner in Soho, he added: "Elton and I have to travel a great deal, so we’ve hired a new nanny of the highest calibre to look after the boys. Liz says children thrive on routine and emphasised this to us by saying as long as they stick to a programme, they are fine. Liz said that when Damian was small, she’d have to go to New York for 48 hours for shoots and she’d leave him at home with a nanny because it was kinder than upsetting his sleep patterns."
| Elton off-stage Sunday, June 22 2014 |
If a man loves the labour of his trade, apart from any question of success or fame, the gods have called him.
Over the years, Elton John has lived up to that quote from Robert Louis Stevenson and turned his love and passion for his song-writing, instrument-playing talents into phenomenal global success. With that success for the singer-songwriter-pianist has comes the accusation from some quarters of being a “diva.” But from his promotions team, nothing could be further from the truth as far as Sir Elton’s behind-the-scenes personality is concerned.
The show at Leigh Sports Village (LSV) on June 21, 2014 sees the first gig of the star’s Rocket Club seven-month world tour where he will only visit a handful of Britain’s venues including Nottingham, Colchester and Newcastle. At his first-ever appearance in the borough, the chart-topper will be aiming to wow audiences on-stage with a rendition of his most famous classics. It promises to be a spectacular show by any standards.
But folk are also likely to be curious as to what Sir Elton is like off-stage, given the gossip and a certain fly-on-the-wall documentary. For instance will he be demanding any unusual features in his dressing room? Last year during a four-show tour of Brazil, according to the South American country’s Pampulha newspaper, Elton told gig organisers in Belo Horizonte to reserve an extra room for his glasses collection. He is also said to have stipulated that the room be kept at a constant temperature of 16C and that his suite be adorned with flowers. He is believed to have demanded four 2m high vases containing palm trees in his dressing room and seven other square vases, five containing 16 red roses and two with 16 white roses.
Not only does he have a soft spot for flowers, he is also known to love a 6ft sofa in his dressing room as well as a love seat. Unusual demands perhaps, but his promotional team, insist he isn’t the diva people perceive him to be.
Ben Martin from Marshall Arts said: “He is very well behaved. People see tantrums and tiaras from stars and get the wrong perception. Elton John is as far away from that ideal as you can get. Considering he tours for 11 months of the year and only has August off he is very self-contained. He carries all of his necessities with him including the dressing room, sound, lighting, catering and much more. And he only requires cans of coke and sparkling water to get him through his set on stage.”
The superstar, who is rumoured to be travelling to the borough by helicopter, will be heading back to his own bed at his home, which is a four-hour car journey back to Berkshire. Ben added: “Elton likes his own bed, which we all do, so it won’t be much trouble for him to travel back. He is really looking forward to coming to Leigh as it is one place he is never been before and as it is the first venue in the UK on the tour he can’t wait to start. The beauty of it is Elton loves to perform and take his show to the people.”
And the anticipation is also growing not only at Leigh Sports Village but throughout the whole borough. Organisers have put in every effort to ensure the evening is a show-stopper. More than 12,000 bottles of water have been ordered, 5,000 hot drinks and hot dogs, 24,000 bottles of lager and more than 14,000 bottles of cider and wine. Caterers will also provide audiences with a wide range of other refreshments.
LSV chief executive of LSV Simon Toon admitted he is looking forward to seeing the hard work and preparation pay off. He said: “There is such an exciting buzz around the stadium and within the town - everybody is talking about the event. What an incredible accolade for the borough and for Leigh to have such a global superstar perform the first of hopefully many concerts at the stadium. It has definitely set the benchmark especially as Leigh is only one of a few venues within the whole of the country he is performing at. The weather is also looking fantastic which is just another positive. I’m very excited to see such a class act.”
| Elton John and Russell Brand perform at charity show Friday, June 20 2014 |
Elton John and Russell Brand put on special performances in London on June 19, 2014 to raise money for Palestinian refugees.
Elton took to the stage at London hotspot Cafe de Paris to perform his hits at The Hoping Foundation's Starry Starry Night benefit, which raises funds for young Palestinian children, who fled the region to escape the political unrest.
Brand provided some light-hearted entertainment with a short stand-up routine. The two stars, who have both supported the foundation in previous years, were watched by guests including former Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher.
| Louis Tomlinson wants club advice from Elton Friday, June 20 2014 |
Louis Tomlinson wants advice from Elton John after buying his hometown soccer club Doncaster Rovers.
The One Direction hunk, who has gone into business with former chairman John Ryan, admits he needs to "mature a little bit" and is looking to speak to the 'Rocket Man' hitmaker, who became chairman of Watford FC in 1976, to get tips on his new role.
Louis told The Sun newspaper: "I had thought about seeking his advice - but how on earth do you get in touch with Elton John? I don't know. Hopefully this will send the message out!" The 22-year-old star feels he'll need to start acting "dead serious" and stop being childish, after he was filmed apparently smoking a marijuana-laced cigarette in Peru with bandmate Zayn Malik recently.
He said: "I can't be a big kid any more or play pranks. I am absolutely going to be very involved in the club. I will be committing a lot of time to it. I've said that I want to be across absolutely everything. I'll definitely be going to board meetings, which is ridiculous, but I guess I am a businessman now."
The pop star asked fellow bandmates Zayn, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Liam Payne for their blessing before buying the club and dreams of the League One side getting to the Premier League. Louis recalled: "I said, 'Look boys, I'm going to do this. Do any of you have a problem with it?' All the boys were super-supportive - especially Niall, who is very, very excited. I know there will be a few eyebrows raised about me doing this. But hopefully the results go a certain way and we'll create a successful club."
The young star joked that his only experience is playing soccer video games but insists he's up for the challenge and thinks he has what it takes to help the club. He said: "I still play Football Manager, actually - I absolutely love it! But it's like playing the game for real now." Louis, who is worth around £14 million, and John, who is a plastic surgery tycoon, have launched a £2 million crowdfunder campaign to ask for help from fans and supporters and will also put their own money into supporting the side.
| Diana Krall to cover Elton John on new album Thursday, June 19 2014 |
Diana Krall has announced that she will release a new covers album.
"Wallflower" will be launched by Verve Records on September 9, 2014, and will feature covers of songs by Bob Dylan, Elton John and The Eagles. The album - which features songs from the 1960s right through to the present day - will also include a new composition by Paul McCartney.
The album was produced by 16-time Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster. "It was a nice change for me to be in the vocal booth with pretty much only David's superb piano accompaniment and orchestrations," Krall said.
Foster added: "The songs Diana performs on this album are the ones she grew up hearing on the radio and listening to on vinyl. What makes this album so special is the way Diana re-imagines each tune and the way she puts her heart and soul into every syllable."
The record will serve as the follow-up to 2012's Glad Rag Doll, which debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200 and number 21 in the UK.
| Elton John and band performed at Bonnaroo Music Festival on June 15, 2014 Tuesday, June 17 2014 |
On June 15, 2014, the voice of one of the most famous and influential radio DJs of all time, Casey Kasem, was silenced for good.
And that evening at the Tennessee music festival Bonnaroo, Elton John — a man who no doubt made Casey's American Top 40 countdown multiple times from the 1970s to the 2000s — paid his respects.
Taking the stage in a sequined "ROCKET MAN" blazer and cobalt spectacles and positioning himself behind his famous red piano, Elton — playing the very first U.S. festival of his entire decade-straddling career — performed side one of his classic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road LP before telling the crowd: "I've been doing this for a long time, and the older I get, the more I love doing it… I came to America in 1970, and I just loved every second of it. And there was one guy on the radio [in America] that passed away today. Travel safely, my angel." He then poignantly played "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" in honor of the late Casey. For many festivalgoers who'd been off the grid all weekend, it was the first they'd heard of the sad news.
Another highlight of Elton's two-hour set was a crowd-rousing, torch-passing duet with modern-day piano man Ben Folds, on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road cut "Grey Seal." Surely Casey Kasem would have approved.
Earlier in the day on the same stage, Sheffield Britrock darlings Arctic Monkeys (whose frontman Alex Turner declared, "I don't care where you're from, we're all Bonnaroovians today!") honored Elton, dedicating their glam-folk epic "No. 1 Party Anthem," which actually sounded like a Goodbye Yellow Brick Road outtake, to the legend. The dedication was sort of an unofficial way of paying things forward, since two other Bonnaroo performers, MS MR and Sam Smith, had covered the Monkeys' hit "Do I Wanna Know?" earlier in the weekend.
Following is the complete set list of the Bonnaroo Music Festival show on June 15, 2014:
| Elton John and band performed in Charlotte on June 14, 2014 Sunday, June 15 2014 |
Following is the complete set list of the Charlotte show on June 14, 2014.
| "Billy Elliot The Musical" live in cinemas Saturday, June 14 2014 |
On September 28, 2014, Billy Elliot the Musical is set to bring cinema goers to their feet when the global stage phenomenon is broadcast live from the West End to cinemas across the UK and around the world.
Based on the Academy Award® nominated film, Billy Elliot the Musical has been dazzling London’s theatergoers at the Victoria Palace Theatre since 2005, and has gone on to captivate audiences around the world, winning over 80 theatre awards globally including 10, 2009 Tony Awards and 5 Olivier Awards.
Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against the odds to make his dream come true. Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.
The internationally celebrated show, which has now been seen by over 9.5 million people worldwide, is brought to life by the multiple award-winning creative team behind the film including writer Lee Hall (book & lyrics), director Stephen Daldry, and choreographer, Peter Darling, joined by music legend Elton John who composed the show’s score.
Elton John said: “Billy Elliot has always had a very special place in my heart and being involved in the musical has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Broadcasting the show live to cinemas is a new venture for all of us and will make for a very special event. It’s going to be a thrilling day for everyone at our home at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London and we hope cinema audiences will be as excited as we are to see Billy Elliot the Musical brought to life for the first time on screen.”
Stephen Daldry said: “Billy Elliot's journey has been extraordinary. I still remember well our first day on the set of the film almost 16 years ago. It’s incredible to think that next year we will celebrate 10 years of the show in London and that it has been performed to so many millions across five continents. We are thrilled to be sharing this special performance with audiences around the world.”
Lee Hall said: “It will be great to see Billy Elliot achieve another milestone at what is set to be an amazing event. At our home in the West End we usually perform to an audience of 1,500. It is wonderful to think that this special performance will be seen by people in their local cinemas across many countries. This next chapter will be particularly poignant for us as Billy will briefly be returning to his beginnings on the cinema screen.”
| Eric McCormack's home BBQ with Elton John Saturday, June 14 2014 |
If you invite Sir Elton to dinner, why WOULDN'T you also have him christen your new piano?
| Elton’s former cars were sold Friday, June 13 2014 |
The Ton Hartley Luxury auto shop have just announced that they have bought Sir Elton John’s Bentley Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce Phantom.
An artist who won just about every music award known by man, this British celebrity is one of those that sold most of his collectable luxury rides in the last years.
You can’t be 100% famous if you don’t hide at least a couple of collectible super rich cars in your garage. And we are talking only the top of the world ones: Audi R8, Ferrari Testarossa, 1956 Bentley S1 Continental, 1973 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI and 1993 Jaguar XJ220. However, you’ll want to know most of his cars, sooner or later, get auctioned off. And that is because the artist usually invests money in one of his Charity project, Elton John AIDS Foundation being the biggest one.
So, seeing that he sold his Bentley Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce Phantom to Tom Hartley’s dealership looks pretty normal to us. As for the price, you’re going to have to ask the buyer to find out, but, considering we’re looking at newer models of the luxury British cars, we’re pretty sure this is nowhere below than $200,000 (EUR 147,000).
| Davey hosting fundraiser tonight for boy with leukemia Thursday, June 5 2014 |
Local resident Davey Johnstone and his wife Kay are hosting a fundraiser June 5, 2014 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Boar Dough Tasting Room in Agoura Hills (next to the Regency Theater).
They are raising funds for little friend Logan Nobriga, 9, who is fighting leukemia. Logan and the Johnstone's son, Elliot, are friends at their Calabasas school.
Davey is the longtime musical director and guitarist for Elton John, and he and other musicians including Ken Stacey (Ambrosia, Michael Jackson, Elton John), Gene Libbea (on bass), Max Hoetzel (on banjo and guitar), and Ricky Molina (on percussion) will be performing at the fundraiser.
All proceeds from the $30 entrance charge go directly to Logan, and Boar Dough is donating 10 percent of the evening's restaurant sales. In addition, Kay Johnstone is kicking off a raffle at the fundraiser for two tickets and backstage passes to Elton John and Band at the Staples Center October 4, 2014. The winner will be drawn September 20, 2014. Those interested in raffle tickets please contact kaytrout@sbcglobal.net.
You can read Logan's story here. Donations can also be made directly to Logan on same page.
| Rolling Stones No. 1 on list of Top 25 Live Artists since 1990 Wednesday, June 4 2014 |
Elton John comes in on 6th place with close to 1,000 live shows since 1990.
They began steamrolling their way through arenas four decades ago, creating the live business as it is known today. And they've never stopped.
More than a dozen of the most in-demand headlining tours this summer testify to a refusal to burn out or fade away, including The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, Kiss/Def Leppard, Journey/Steve Miller Band, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Elton John, The Eagles, Aerosmith, Motley Crue/Alice Cooper, Cher and Prince.
For nearly 25 years, acts that first broke in the 1970s or early '80s have dominated the Billboard Boxscore year-end charts. The list of the 25 highest-grossing touring artists from 1990 through 2014 includes just three acts that released their first albums in the '90s - Dave Matthews Band and Toby Keith (both of whom released debut albums in 1993), and Kenny Chesney (who debuted in 1994). Only one act that broke through in this century makes the list: Coldplay (which released its first album in 2000). Among the top 10 earners since 1990, the average age of vocalists - upon whom touring takes the hardest toll - is 56-and-a-half, and not one is younger than 46.
Biology alone dictates that at some point these touring stalwarts will relinquish their stranglehold, and the question of which acts will replace them has been posed for some 20 years. The industry, though, doesn't seem too worried about the changing of the guard.
That's because live business is developing artists capable of maintaining long-term box-office clout. A decade of headlining success is a telling barometer, and 2013's top 25 tours included Pink, Beyoncé, Chesney, Jay Z/Justin Timberlake and Maroon 5. All have been in the game more than 10 years but not more than 20.
Perhaps most important is the wealth of new blood rising up to arena level, artists that entered the headlining ranks relatively recently and are now making big noise on the road. Seven acts were in that category among the top 25 in 2013, more than double that of the previous year: Rihanna, Taylor Swift, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Jason Aldean, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. This year, Miley Cyrus and Luke Bryan seem poised to enter that group.
With those younger artists come younger fans, the key to the live business sustaining its current boom in coming years. "The younger generation is loving going to concerts," says Rob Light, managing partner at Creative Artists Agency. "To play pop sociologist for a second, when you think of all of these kids when they are 10 to 15 going to see everyone from Miley to One Direction to Justin Bieber to Taylor Swift - what a positive experience they had. These were great shows. And those kids are now concertgoers. They had fun. So we've created a great generation of kids that like to see music in a live setting."
Meanwhile, the old guys aren't ready to pass the baton just yet. The road offers lucrative income when other revenue streams dry up, and the sweat equity they earned through relentless touring when they were young hitmakers continues to pay dividends at the box office, as original fans (many now blessed with sizable discretionary income) return again and again and new generations turn out to hear classic songs.
When 2014 closes, veterans will again dominate the numbers, and that's unlikely to change in the near future. If the Stones are any indication, U2 - preparing its next world tour in 2015 - has some 20 years of future viability.
"Mick Jagger is always going to be the role model," Jon Bon Jovi, 52, told Billboard in a recent interview. Bon Jovi is more than 30 years into his touring career and had 2013's highest-grossing tour. "Until [Jagger] hangs up the retirement number, I don't know where the end zone is," he says. "I just keep running the ball until Jagger says, 'Here's the goal line.' "
Many believe the current Stones tour will be their last, although the band has never stated such. But given that 15 of the top 25 touring acts since 1990 feature artists who are now over 60, a similar tracking of the top touring acts 20 years on will doubtless look vastly different.
Still, what these touring pioneers have accomplished decades past their youth is nothing short of remarkable. The Stones alone have grossed more than $1.5 billion on the road since 1990, a period that began some 25 years after they first hit the airwaves. Bruce Springsteen and his bandmates have churned almost $1.2 billion since 1990; U2, Madonna and Bon Jovi all topped the $1 billion mark in box office for the period; Elton John and Billy Joel have as well, both combined individually and as a dual bill. Most importantly, these acts and their contemporaries have built an enduring touring industry, and they have shown the artists that have come behind them and the audiences that follow them the power of live music.
Top Live Artists From 1990-2014
1. The Rolling Stones
Gross: $1,565,792,382
Attendance: 19,677,569
Shows: 538
2. U2
Gross: $1,514,979,793
Attendance: 20,536,168
Shows: 526
3. Bruce Springsteen
Gross: $1,196,116,507
Attendance: 15,010,773
Shows: 727
4. Madonna
Gross: $1,140,230,941
Attendance: 9,694,079
Shows: 382
5. Bon Jovi
Gross: $1,030,082,884
Attendance: 12,333,668
Shows: 578
6. Elton John*
Gross: $786,791,043
Attendance: 12,164,513
Shows: 956
7. Dave Matthews Band
Gross: $776,969,736
Attendance: 17,823,077
Shows: 992
8. Celine Dion
Gross: $737,573,927
Attendance: 6,546,109
Shows: 1,143
9. Kenny Chesney
Gross: $752,706,599
Attendance: 12,681,629
Shows: 755
10. The Eagles
Gross: $702,110,908
Attendance: 7,720,760
Shows: 484
11. The Police/Sting
Gross: $556,114,962
Attendance: 7,257,611
Shows: 605
12. Roger Waters
Gross: $547,305,412
Attendance: 5,474,759
Shows: 316
13. Paul McCartney
Gross: $505,534,809
Attendance: 5,248,175
Shows: 220
14. Billy Joel*
Gross: $499,978,726
Attendance: 10,408,169
Shows: 577
15. Rod Stewart
Gross: $497,033,399
Attendance: 7,885,676
Shows: 714
16. Neil Diamond
Gross: $465,448,371
Attendance: 8,870,666
Shows: 643
17. Metallica
Gross: $432,816,245
Attendance: 8,388,374
Shows: 468
18. Aerosmith
Gross: $417,573,638
Attendance: 8,405,069
Shows: 582
19. George Strait
Gross: $405,034,063
Attendance: 9,736,580
Shows: 584
20. Jimmy Buffett
Gross: $402,756,057
Attendance: 9,746,471
Shows: 539
21. Coldplay
Gross: $378,359,252
Attendance: 5,394,616
Shows: 315
22. Toby Keith
Gross: $361,256,245
Attendance: 8,608,696
Shows: 711
23. Cher
Gross: $351,625,611
Attendance: 4,531,739
Shows: 548
24. Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks
Gross: $349,906,931
Attendance: 4,906,995
Shows: 483
25. AC/DC
Gross: $337,879,092
Attendance: 5,387,353
Shows: 316
*Includes co-headlining tours
© 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. |