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Bravo will broadcast excerpts from Elton John's orchestra shows at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on November 27, 2004.

The two hour live-to-tape special will air at 8.00 pm ET.

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Tennis superstars Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick will make a rare Orange County appearance when they go head-to-head in the featured match of the 12th annual WTT All-Star Smash Hits, presented by ADT Security Services, scheduled for October 11, 2004, at the Bren Center on the University of California Irvine campus.

Hosted by Elton John and tennis legend Billie Jean King, the evening of tennis will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the National AIDS Fund. The event is expected to raise more than $1 million for the two organizations.

Tickets for All-Star Smash Hits will go on sale July 26, 2004 at all Ticketmaster ticket centers and at the Bren Center box office. "One of the primary objectives of World TeamTennis is to provide more opportunities to showcase the WTT product in each of our core markets," said Ilana Kloss, WTT CEO and Commissioner. "We are quickly developing a strong following for the Newport Beach Breakers in southern California and brining Smash Hits to Orange County gives us another chance to expose more people to our special brand of tennis."

Five sets of tennis, using the World TeamTennis (WTT) format, will be played. In addition to the Agassi/Roddick feature match in men's singles, several other top players on the men's and women's professional tennis tours will compete in men's doubles, women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. The players will form two teams, with one team captained by Sir Elton John and the other by Billie Jean King. Elton and King also plan to participate in a celebrity doubles event to open the evening.

Tickets for the 12th annual WTT All-Star Smash Hits range from $35 to $100. For more information, please call Ticketmaster at 1 714 740-2000 or the Bren Center box office at 1 949 824-5000.

For additional information, please visit the Elton John AIDS Foundation at www.ejaf.org and World TeamTennis at www.wtt.com.

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Sir Elton John has performed with 100-piece orchestras and 60-voice choirs in London and New York City in July 2004. On July 20, 2004, he performed with just a grand piano at a $2 million benefit gala in downtown St. Paul.

It was the Starkey Hearing Foundation's fourth annual "So the World May Hear" gala to promote hearing for the needy. About 1,600 people gathered at the RiverCentre's grand ballroom to support the Eden Prairie-based foundation and to honor such celebs as Leslie Nielsen and Sharon Osbourne. But there was no doubt that Elton was the magnet for this record-setting benefit.

The 57-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer gave an intimate, often emotional and friendly 60-minute performance. Not saddled by a band or a big production, he was looser, more talkative and more spontaneous than at his own concerts (he let the crowd, well, the women, sing the high "lalala" part on "Crocodile Rock"). He alluded to comments by various speakers during the program and explained that this gala belonged on the front page of newspapers because it was about people doing good; he then performed "Candle in the Wind," which he said had become identified with "someone [Princess Diana] who tried to make the world a better place."

Before sitting down at the piano, Elton gushed about all the stars in the audience ("Mickey Rooney looks younger than I do, which I hate") and explained that he was a "huge sports fan" and how much he admired the athletes and coaches in the crowd, citing Vikings coach Mike Tice and former baseball manager Whitey Herzog. He dedicated "Rocket Man" to the astronauts in attendance, including Scott Carpenter. And he sang a very bluesy, Ray Charles-like rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Tani Austin, who runs the Starkey Foundation and whose birthday was Monday.

Elton explained that he had met Tani and Bill Austin, CEO of Starkey Laboratories, at Sharon Osbourne's house. (Sharon said Bill got her husband, Ozzy, hearing aids so she can turn things down in the Osbourne mansion.) Then the Austins went to Elton's house for a fundraiser for his AIDS foundation. "When I found out what they did, I got here to Minneapolis as fast as I could," Sir Elton said.

Elton was in good voice throughout his 11-song set, though his voice got a bit scratchy for a moment during "Tiny Dancer." He triggered some synthesized strings on several tunes (just as he had during his solo show at Target Center in 1999) and used some vocal effects on a couple of numbers. But maybe for this occasion the enhancements were appropriate to make sure everyone heard the music the way Sir Elton wanted it to be heard.

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Fan report by Marian Joy Friedman.

This has been an Elton John packed weekend. First the show Friday night, then Saturday and Sunday night. I thought to myself on Friday, how will any show be better then that and it was, the very next night was even better and then Sunday was the best of all.

I am very grateful for to have been able to see this unique and grand show and hopefully, many of you will experience the same when the Bravo station broadcasts it sometime this fall/early winter. Hopefully it will come out on DVD! Anyhow, back to the show.

I am grateful to have seen this show three times in my favorite city, New York City, in one of the city's most beloved venues, Radio City Music Hall. The accoustics were great and the audiences were out of this world. Each night, the audiences got better. I particularly loved when on the third night, Elton began "Take me to the Pilo" and the entire audience was singing along quite loudly.

The show is a huge production. I believe 99 persons made up the orchestra while 42 made up the choir plus the band of course. The talent of these students cannot be praised enough. Only in their early 20's, these young performers showed professionalism and talent worthy of great praise. The show was so powerful and moving that I am at a total loss for words to describe how great this show was and as massive a production this show was, it never took away from Elton John. It complimented him and the band. It was a great show that got better each night.

Thank you Elton John for bringing this show to NYC and allowing the Bravo channel to film so that many people will have the opportunity to enjoy what I think was one of the greatest shows of my life.

The hightlights for me were as follows:

On Friday's performance it was "Tonight". On Saturday's performance it was the brand new song "Freaks in Love" and finally, on Sunday night, the highlight for me was "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)". It was electric.

Following is the complete set list from the New York City shows on July 14, 16, 17 & 18 2004:

• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• I Need You To Turn To
  
• Border Song
  
• The King Must Die
  
• Burn Down The Mission
  
• Believe
  
• Come Down In Time
  
• Tell Me When The Whistle Blows
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Madman Across The Water
  
• Holiday Inn
  
• Levon
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• This Train Don't Stop There Anymore
  
• Freaks In Love
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• Have Mercy On The Criminal
  
• Carla/Etude
  
• Tonight
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Your Song

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Sir Elton John has attacked what he calls a McCarthy-like "era of censorship" in America. Entertainers who speak out against the Bush administration or its policy on Iraq, he claimed, risk scorn and damage to their livelihood.

"There's an atmosphere of fear in America right now that is deadly. Everyone is too career-conscious. They're all too scared," he added.

Entertainment consumers "do not look for us to take sides", Elton continued.

Sir Elton, who is being paid $50 million (£33 million) to perform in 75 shows in Las Vegas, was particularly critical of the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, which regulates radio and television.

Its "watchdogging", he said, was tantamount to censorship.

"Things have changed. I don't know if there's been a time when the fear factor played such an important role in America since McCarthyism in the 1950s, as it does now," he added. Sen Joseph McCarthy was the leading figure behind the "red scare" of the 1950s. At the height of the anti-communist hysteria, an investigation of Hollywood by the House Committee on Un-American Activities led to a "blacklist" of actors and writers who were then denied employment.

Sir Elton, currently in the middle of five sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, told the New York magazine Interview that "surprisingly, it seems to be a very apathetic age in America".

He recalled playing at Kent State University in 1970 shortly after National Guard troops fired on Vietnam War protesters on campus, killing four, and wounding nine.

Sir Elton said: "People were taking to the streets. With the war in Iraq and all that's gone on with it, that's not happening - yet. I don't know why."

In the 1960s, "people like Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, The Beatles and Pete Seeger were constantly writing and talking about what was going on", he said. Now, "hardly any are doing it . . ." The era of protest songs by major artists was long gone. "That's not happening now. As of this spring, there have been virtually no anti-war concerts - or anti-war songs that catch on, for that matter."

One reason for the reluctance of performers to speak out, according to Sir Elton, "might be that they are frightened by the current administration's bullying tactics when it comes to free speech".

He continued: "There was a moment about a year ago when you couldn't say a word about anything in this country for fear of your career being shot down by people saying you are un-American."

He singled out the country singer Toby Keith, who wrote Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) and has led the attacks on the Dixie Chicks.

"On the one hand, you have someone like Toby Keith, who has come out and been very supportive of the Bush administration and the war in Iraq - which is OK because America is a democracy and Toby Keith is entitled to say what he thinks and feels.

"But, on the other hand, the Dixie Chicks got shot down in flames last year for criticising the president. They were treated like they were being un-American, when in fact they have every right to say whatever they want about him because he's freely elected, and therefore accountable."

In London last year Natalie Maines, the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, told an audience: "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." After protesters burned their CDs and radio stations banned their songs, the band apologised. Death threats led to metal detectors being installed at stadiums where they were singing.

But Sir Elton may have spoken too soon. As the presidential election approaches, many stars seem eager to nail their colours to a mast.

Jon Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews, Moby, James Taylor, Wyclef Jean and Mary J Blige now openly rail against Mr Bush.

Ozzy Osbourne sings War Pigs in his latest stage act as giant screens show photographs of President Bush juxtaposed with pictures of Adolf Hitler.

Last night Steve Earle, a renegade country lyricist, released an album called The Revolution Starts . . .Now, which includes a satirical song called On Condi, Condi - addressed to Dr Condoleezza Rice, the White House national security adviser.

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The Daniel Pearl Foundation proudly announces the honorary committee and official opening of registration for the third annual Daniel Pearl Music Day -- an international network of concerts October 8-17, 2004 dedicated to "Harmony for Humanity."

Centered around the October 10th birthday of journalist Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002, Daniel Pearl Music Day continues his mission by connecting thousands around the world through words and music.

"Daniel Pearl was exceedingly brave, was one of these journalists from the media that put their life on the line to bring you the truth," said Honorary Committee member Sir Elton John in a Music Day performance in which he dedicated his song "Daniel."

The Daniel Pearl Foundation is honored to announce the Honorary Committee for this year's event, a diverse group of renowned musicians: Salman Ahmad, Theodore Bikel, Yefim Bronfman, Hamza el Din, Ida Haendel, Herbie Hancock, Elton John, Tania Libertad, Yo-Yo Ma, Zubin Mehta, Mark O'Connor, George Pehlivanian, Itzhak Perlman, A.J. Racy, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Ravi Shankar, Barbra Streisand and John Williams.

Sir Elton John, Herbie Hancock, Ida Haendel and Hamza el Din are featured in the Music Day 2004 public service announcement encouraging participation by people everywhere in Music Day. Video and audio versions are available for broadcast by radio and television stations around the globe.

The Daniel Pearl Foundation was formed in 2002 in memory of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl to promote the ideals that inspired his life and work. The Foundation works domestically and internationally to promote cross-cultural understanding, to combat cultural and religious hatred, to encourage responsible and creative journalism, and to enrich people's lives through music. For more information and sample dedications please visit www.danielpearl.org.

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Universal Music has shed some light on the next batch of upcoming Super Audio CD releases.

Included in the newly announced titles are five Elton John albums which follow the successful Super Audio CD releases of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (Island Records B0001478-40 and B0001570-36).

These upcoming Surround Sound SACDs will include:

• Elton John - Captain Fantastic (Island)
  
• Elton John - Elton John (Island)
  
• Elton John - Honky Chateau (Island)
  
• Elton John - Madman Across The Water (Island)
  
• Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection (Island)

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The definitive Elton John DVD set, Dream Ticket, is scheduled to be released in the fall 2004 and sold exclusively at Best Buy stores and on BestBuy.com.

The four-DVD set features more than 70 songs from different venues as well as rare concert and TV footage from the legendary artist's early days. The set also includes photos and interviews that previously have not been released.

Dream Ticket gives Elton John fans a unique look at the career of one of the most talented and charismatic performers of our time. The four DVDs feature some never-before-seen performances that demonstrate why Elton has become a rock music icon.

"Our goal at Best Buy is to bring customers unique and exciting entertainment products that will tap into their passion for great music," said Gary Arnold, senior vice president of entertainment, Best Buy. "This four-DVD set from one of the greatest performers in history will be a must-have not only for Elton John fans but for music lovers in general. We're very excited to be able to bring Dream Ticket to our customers."

Dream Ticket follows on the heels of the 2003 four-DVD set from the Rolling Stones, Four Flicks. Initially sold exclusively at Best Buy, Four Flicks has been certified 11 times platinum by the RIAA and is the second-best-selling video boxed set of all time.

"We anticipate this one-of-a-kind Elton John four-DVD set will have a similar impact in the marketplace as Four Flicks. The success of Four Flicks showed what can happen when two great brands like The Rolling Stones and Best Buy join forces," said Mike Linton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Best Buy. "We were able to bring a great product to fans at a great price and were able to create a high level of consumer excitement. That combination helped make it one of the most successful music DVDs in history."

Hercules has learned that one disc will be of a concert in London with the London Symphony Orchestra 1972; one will be from New York 2004; one from Ephesus, Turkey 2001; and one will be an overview/retrospective of Elton John as a performer.

The cover of the set will feature an airplane, to "signify the journey Elton and his fans have taken over time," says Best Buy senior VP of entertainment Gary Arnold.

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Rapper Ol' Dirty B/stard and R&B singer Macy Gray have teamed up in a duet of Elton John and Kiki Dee's "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart".

ODB, who was released from prison and psychiatric care last year, covered the 1976 hit with Gray, who has a wild reputation of her own, for a unique interpretation of the melodic pop hit.

ODB, known for rapping and improvisations, sang through song, trading lines with the raspy-voiced Gray. Damon Dash, Roc-A-Fella Records chief executive officer, who is overseeing ODB's upcoming album on his label, came up with the duet.

The rapper's new album, which has no release date set, will be out under the name Dirt McGirt.

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A Criminal, a King, Freaks....and Renee! - Fan report by Rich Joline. Plus a fan report by Tony Centofante.

The man finally brought his magic to the big stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on July 13, 2004, and once again Elton John has reaffirmed himself as the greatest performer of all time.

A show for true fans, this die hard was hardly disappointed. He simply walked on stage to warm applause, told us a bit about how the show would be different than the past, and got on with it.

The opening numbers from the Elton John album set the tone and off we went. The band, looking and sounding as happy and solid as ever, led the charge and the backing of those wonderful young musicians and singers helped propel Elton through some of the all time classics.

"The Greatest Discover", "Burn Down the Mission" and "Madman" blew me away! "Believe", a staple in the Red Piano, was nearly as incredible as "Holiday Inn".

Another reviewer put it just right - he seemed to embrace that tune like an old friend. I thought for a second we were going to get the "french fry" verse.

He played air guitar while Davey was rocking "Have mercy on the Criminal", told us he hadn't played "The King Must Die" in the US for 32 years before blasting through it, and got many of us excited with a the preview from "Peachtree Road", a bluesy but oh-so-Elton "Freaks in Love."

He finally sent us all away with sounds from heaven as the fabulous voice of Renne Fleming floated through the acoustically perfect hall, telling us "how wonderful life is..."

On at least two occasions he mentioned how old he felt/is getting. Well that goes for all of us,and that is why I will attend the remaining four shows before scooting out the Nevada next weekend for the third time!

Thank You Elton for yet another evening I will never forget!

Following is the complete set list from the New York City show on July 13, 2004:

• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• I Need You To Turn To
  
• Border Song
  
• The King Must Die
  
• Burn Down The Mission
  
• Believe
  
• Come Down In Time
  
• Tell Me When The Whistle Blows
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Madman Across The Water
  
• Holiday Inn
  
• Levon
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• This Train Don't Stop There Anymore
  
• Freaks In Love
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• Have Mercy On The Criminal
  
• Carla/Etude
  
• Tonight
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Your Song

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Sir Elton John is to become a Fellow of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, with his induction marking 50 years of the Ivor Novello Awards.

The British Academy will appoint five Fellows to mark the anniversary, with Sir Elton as the first recipient. "I am honoured and humbled by this recognition," said Elton.

The presentation will be made during the TV show Elton John - An Ivor Novello Tribute to be screened by the BBC later in the year.

His accolade has been given for his commitment to music and songwriting throughout his career. He joins Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Malcolm Arnold and John Barry as Fellows of the British Academy.

Sir Elton added: "The Ivor Novello Awards are all about the art of songwriting which has always been my passion."

Academy chairman David Ferguson said: "We are particularly pleased that Sir Elton has agreed to accept this fellowship and we are sure that this will be a very special evening."

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On July 13, 2004, Elton John will begin a five-night engagement at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

The shows will mark Elton's first Radio City appearances as a solo performer. He'll be backed by a full orchestra and choir of students from London's Royal Academy of Music and New York's Juilliard School.

Proceeds from the first night will go to the schools' scholarship funds.

The Bravo cable channel will tape the concerts for a special that will air later this year.

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Elton John is teaming up with soprano Renee Flaming to sing at Radio City Music Hall.

According to The New York Daily News, Elton will unveil the songs he has written and sung for the stage version of the 2000 movie "Billy Elliot."

The proceeds from the concert will go to the Royal Academy of Music and the Julliard School of Music. (ANI)

Also see Elton John Tour News.

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Elton John opened a hospital's new HIV clinic on July 7, 2004.

Elton John made a guest appearance and chatted with about 20 patients, including some on other wards, during his visit to Ealing Hospital on July 7, 2004.

He was there to unveile a plaque in a newly refurbished HIV clinic, after his fund The Elton John Foundation, recently donated £100,000 towards the new 'Elton John Suite'.

Elton said of his visit: "We are so proud of the work undertaken here at Ealing Hospital and are delighted that we have been able to provide funding for this project. I send my very best wishes to the medical team and patients."

Dr Paul Fox, an Infection and Immunity consultant at the hospital who organised the event, said the visit was a major morale booster for both staff and patients.

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A 17-year-old musician - who beat off cancer - realised his dream by meeting Elton John.

David Bell of Squire's Place, Nettleham, was granted his wish by children's charity, Wishes 4 kids, who whisked him off to Birmingham NEC where he had a 10-minute meeting with his idol.

"It was an amazing concert, not his normal greatest hits thing. It was him and huge orchestra, with about 9,000 people in the audience," he said.

"I went backstage before the gig and had a chat with him, he was really friendly, he talked about the show and asked me about myself. Then he took down my contact details and promised that he would stay in touch - it was just great."

David was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour behind his right eye last June. His condition was diagnosed as rhabdomyocarcoma. Although an aggressive tumour it responds well to chemotherapy. He had to undergo a whole battery of tests to make sure the cancer was not anywhere else in his body.

"I was terrified, the tumour swelled to the size of my eye and started pushing it out of its socket," he said. "Obviously I didn't want to lose my eye and I was worried about secondary tumours developing in my limbs, then you're really in trouble."

The budding rock star, who plays lead guitar with his band, Atlas, who recently played a sellout gig at the New Life Church in Lincoln, said that the Elton John gig had given him a real boost.

"As a musician I have a lot of respect for the man. I couldn't believe it when halfway through the concert he said, 'This next one is for Dave Bell and his family' - he played Philadelphia Freedom for me. It was really special, I've been telling all my mates about it," he said.

Mr Bell's mum Irene, said: "It was absolutely amazing and David was just beaming. It was brilliant when he dedicated a song to him because it showed that David was not just a name on a list of people who he had to meet."

Russell Brickett, charity and fund-raising manager for Wishes 4 Kids, said: "It was absolutely brilliant right from the stretch limo picking them up through to the concert. It was just his dream come true, and that is the special thing about all the wishes."

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Following is the complete set list from the London show on July 4, 2004:

• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• I Need You To Turn To
  
• Border Song
  
• The King Must Die
  
• Burn Down The Mission
  
• Believe
  
• Come Down In Time
  
• Tell Me When The Whistle Blows
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Madman Across The Water
  
• Holiday Inn
  
• Levon
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• This Train Don't Stop There Anymore
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• Have Mercy On The Criminal
  
• Carla/Etude
  
• Tonight
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Your Song

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Fan report by Si Owens.

It is generally considered that one of the must-have albums in any Elton John fan's collection is 1986's "Live In Australia". That album focussed on Elton John's unique concerts featuring the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and the project was a major success, spurning a world-wide hit single with it's recording of "Candle In The Wind".

It could be for two reasons that the LP was such a success. On the surface, the sheer grandeur of scale and ambition of the event itself were enough to entice interest from most strands of music fan, Elton John orientated or not. Look beneath the surface, however, and into the early and name-making work of Elton John, and you begin to understand why such concerts are so important to the millions of supporters the man has amassed over his career.

The fact is, that there is so much more to enjoy in Elton John's CDs than a voice, a piano-player and a collection of soul-tapping works. The many musicians and, perhaps more importantly, arrangers who have accompanied Elton John's LPs have each added their own unique stamp to each unique track to make any Elton John album more than your average rock and roll record.

Elton himself has always been eager to publicly compliment and appreciate the various bands, orchestras, choirs and arrangers with which he's worked over the years, and also to credit the Royal Acadamy Of Music for it's own role in his success. Ever the altruist, these orchestral concerts, then, were surely a matter of "when", rather than "if".

Those who missed out on the 1986 tour of Australia, or the benefit shows with the orchestra last year, didn't miss the opportunity to snap up tickets for Elton John's shows in Birmingham and London this time around. I was one such person, and what I very soon realised was that no amount of listening to "Live In Australia", and at whatever volume, could prepare me for the richness, quality and size of the sound experienced in the arena hearing this concert live.

Starting by simply walking on stage with no fuss or introductory music, Elton sat at the piano, addressed the audience, introduced the concert and, with the rest of us, immersed himself in the sounds of "60 Years On". Next followed "Greatest Discovery" and "I Need You To Turn To", and it was difficult to believe your ears that you really were hearing such amazing songs set to such an amazing sound.

The music was to step up a gear again, however, when Elton started "Border Song" and was joined by his touring band (brilliant performances as usual, guys) and the choir. It really is impossible to explain how good this music sounds by this point in the evening, and "Border Song" was the highlight of the event for me.

In terms of the set, it was as per the show on July 2, 2004. It's hard to single out particular songs in such an all-round masterpice, but the tracks for which all facets were used were the tracks that hit the audience with full power. "Burn Down The Mission" was particularly memorable, and the guys seemed to be having a great time reviving the Philladelphia sound in "Tell Me When The Whistle Blows" and "Philadelphia Freedom". Elton revealed that he regards the arrangement to Philadelphia Freedom as the best ever to grace any pop record.

Elton himself seemed to be having a tremendous time performing in this context, despite apparently battling against less than satisfactory monitoring levels. He was jovial and funny, while at the same time elegant and informative. As you would expect, the band were superb, particularly Bob Birch during "Burn Down The Mission", Davey Johnson during "Madman Across The Water" and "Have Mercy On The Criminal", and John Mahon's percussion through "Believe" (my favourite Elton song of the nineties, and a personal highlight).

It also needs to be mentioned that is easy to forget that the Royal Acadamy is just that - an Acadamy. These people are still very young musicians, yet the quality of their skills you will not hear matched anywhere else.
Also, I noticed that it was the same security team who were on duty at the Ipswich concert, and I'd like to say what a superb job these guys do - doing their job effectively whilst never being over-the-top and always friendly and curtious with the audience.

The phrase "not-to-be-missed" is an over used set-piece in mordern marketing, but this concert was undoubtedly worthy of that accolade. Will these shows ever come around again? Who knows. But Elton John at Wembley Arena on the third of July 2004 will live long in the memory of those who were there.

Following is the complete set list from the London show on July 3, 2004:

• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• I Need You To Turn To
  
• Border Song
  
• The King Must Die
  
• Burn Down The Mission
  
• Believe
  
• Come Down In Time
  
• Tell Me When The Whistle Blows
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Madman Across The Water
  
• Holiday Inn
  
• Levon
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• This Train Don't Stop There Anymore
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• Have Mercy On The Criminal
  
• Carla/Etude
  
• Tonight
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Your Song

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Singer Macy Gray has promised to perform naked to raise money for the Elton John Aids Foundation.

The outrageous star says she will appear in nothing but a pair of Jimmy Choo heels at her London gig on July 5, 2004.

She will reveal all to raise cash for the Elton John Aids Foundation. "Never before has a major artist gone so far in aid of a good cause," a spokesman for the singer said.

"Macy was invited to be part of a celebrity auction in which photographs of stars wearing Jimmy Choo shoes will go under the hammer. She wanted to do something special for it so decided that in her photograph she would be naked on stage. It is a very sexy statement."

The gig will take place at The Coronet in Elephant and Castle, south London - her first UK gig in two years.

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Fan report by Alistair.

Ten past midnight in the UK and we've just got home from Wembley. What a great show and what a fantastic evening.

Elton and the band were in their usual top form and the Orchestra and Choir of the Royal Academy of Music were marvellous, too. The set list was the same as for the second Birmingham gig.

Seven songs in total from the "Elton John" album - all faithfully recreated with the full orchestral treatment. Another four from "Madman" including fantastic renditions of the title track and "Holiday Inn". Two more from "Tumbleweed" comprising the rocking "Burn Down the Mission" and the beautiful "Come Down In Time".

And so it went on. Masterpiece after masterpiece. It was great to see the young musicians in the orchesra and choir so clearly relishing the experience of a life time - and a special word for the harpist, Angharad Jones, who opened the show with the intro from "Sixty Years On" and who featured many times throughout the evening.

Davey, Nigel, Bob, John and Guy (as usual) were clearly having a ball and it was great to see Bob able to move more freely than at the last few concerts we have seen - hopefully his medical problems are behind him.

Just three entries from the post "Blue Moves" era - "Carla/Etude" from the 80's, "Believe" from the 90's and "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" from "Songs from the West Coast".

As usual, when Elton disappeared from the stage before the encores he checked on the football score from Euro 2004 and was clearly delighted to be able to report the semi final scoreline 'Greece 1 The Czech Republic 0'. He suggested, to the crowds amusement, that George Michael should get along to cheer on the Greeks in the final against Portugal!

I'm still on a high from the experience but I have a feeling that in the cold light of day this is going to be right up there as possibly the very best Elton gig I've ever seen.

Following is the complete set list from the London show on July 1, 2004:

• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• I Need You To Turn To
  
• Border Song
  
• The King Must Die
  
• Burn Down The Mission
  
• Believe
  
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Sir Elton John will perform a special concert at Watford to raise money for the club's campaign to buy back Vicarage Road.

Elton, who quit as Watford chairman two years ago, will donate his fee and all profits from the event to the 'Let's Buy Back the Vic' fund.

An entertainment licence has yet to be granted, but the provisional date for the gig is June 18, 2005.

Elton said: "I know that the club is still facing financial difficulties but I am confident that Watford will come through. The key is that the Vicarage Road ground must be owned by the club and I am delighted to help. I last performed at Vicarage Road in 1974, and it was a memorable occasion for me. I am really looking forward to this show next summer."

Watford have traditionally been tenants at Vicarage Road but in 2002 the board decided that ownership was required to modernise the stadium and boost their income. They bought the freehold in January of that year only to sell it to a property speculator six months later - in the midst of a financial crisis.

The demise of ITV digital combined with a disastrous season of over-spending under Gianluca Vialli left Watford in serious danger of going out of business. But cash from the stadium sale and a wage deferral agreed with their playing squad meant administration was avoided.

The club's financial plight has since improved with the help of millionaire salad-growers Jimmy and Vincent Russo, who have joined a restructured board.

The 'Let's Buy Back The Vic' campaign was started in May 2003 with all pledged cash going into a fund. They need £4million for a deposit on the freehold which will ultimately cost around £6m. In March 2004, the club raised £5.25m through loans and a share issue, much of which will be put towards the stadium purchase.

Elton, who remains life president after a 25-year association with the club, has already made a major contribution by donating his £120,000 fee from Sky TV's 'Are You Ready For Love' advert to the fund. The concert can be expected to far exceed that figure.

Chairman Graham Simpson said: "This is absolutely fantastic news. It not only demonstrates Elton's continued affection for the club, but will give the Watford public a chance to see one of the greatest live performers in the world."

Demand for tickets is likely to be strong, but Watford season-ticket holders will be granted a preferential period before any tickets are offered to the general public. Simpson added: "We're always looking for ways to reward our most loyal fans - and this is a perfect opportunity."

A supporter since childhood, Elton is an immensely popular figure among Watford fans who associate him with the club's glory years under Graham Taylor. He was famously pictured crying in the stands when Taylor's team reached the FA Cup final in 1984.

Watford mayor Dorothy Thornhill added: "This shows his support for both the current management of the club and his affection for the town."

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