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More than 100 gold and platinum discs are among a collection of memorabilia from Elton John's career which has been put up for auction by his mother.

Tour jackets and VIP passes used by Sheila Farebrother for backstage access at his concerts are among the lots. Two multi-platinum discs for "Candle In The Wind," re-released in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, are also being sold in East Sussex.

Auctioneer Gorringes said it could not put an accurate figure on their value. Mrs Farebrother is selling the collection in Lewes on October 19, 2010 after downsizing to a new home on the south coast. "From an early age Elton would love to perform at family weddings and birthdays," she said. "When his career as a performer began to take off I would go along to his concerts and my main concern was that he wouldn't forget any of his lyrics. It wasn't until the concert in Madison Square Garden in 1974 when John Lennon made an appearance on stage and sang with Elton that I realised he had become a world superstar."

Also in the sale are two platinum discs for the first million sales of the 1973 album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," plus items from Bob Halley, the musician' s manager for more than 30 years. Among the 227 items are four silk Versace stage suits that Elton wore on tour and artwork by Sam Taylor-Wood which featured on the sleeve of his album, "Songs from the West Coast."

The highlight of the sale is said to be two sets of framed discs commemorating Elton's 43 million record sales in the United States. Also being sold is a diamond-studded Theo Fennell crucifix, worth up to £3,000, which was given to Mr Halley by Elton as a birthday gift and signed: "To Bob, Happy Birthday, Love Elton."

Elton has sold more than 250 million records in a career spanning five decades. Andrew Elliston-Elhinn, of Gorringes, said it was one of the most interesting sales it had ever had. "Nothing like this has been seen since an Elton John sale back in 1988 which was different because it didn't include quite so many benchmark items from his career," he said.

"His mother used to have a large games room with shelf upon shelf to store all the things he had given her, but since moving she doesn't have the room any more. Some of the items are autographed but, as his mum said, 'Why would he sign things for me? I'm his mum.'

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for buyers and we expect it to be a fan-driven auction."

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Following is the complete set list of the Elton John & Ray Cooper show in Taormina on September 24, 2010.

Elton solo piano


• The One
  
• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• Border Song
  
• The Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes
  
• The Emporer's New Clothes
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Rocket Man
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Philladelphia Freedom
  
• Your Song
  
  Elton with Ray Cooper
  
  
• Funeral for a Friend
  
• Tonight
  
• Better Off Dead
  
• Levon
  
• Gone to Shiloh
  
• Indian Sunset
  
• I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself
  
• Daniel
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Bennie And The Jets
  
• Crazy Water

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Following is the complete set list of the Elton John & Ray Cooper show in Trani on September 22, 2010.

Elton solo piano


• The One
  
• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• Border Song
  
• The Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Rocket Man
  
• Never Too Old
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Your Song
  
  Elton with Ray Cooper
  
  
• Funeral for a Friend
  
• Tonight
  
• Better Off Dead
  
• Levon
  
• Gone to Shiloh
  
• Indian Sunset
  
• I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself
  
• Daniel
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Bennie And The Jets
  
• Crazy Water
  
  Elton solo piano
  
  
• Circle of Life / Can You Feel The Love Tonight

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The Elton John & Ray Cooper performance in Catanzaro, Italy, on September 23, 2010 has been postponed on short notice.

Eltonjohn.com reports that Elton is unwell. Eltonfan.net has learned from other sources that a strike in France has caused the problem.

The Catanzaro show is tentatively rescheduled for June 2011 according to the Italian promoter D&G.

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The greatest love story ever told, starring...garden gnomes? In "Gnomeo & Juliet," Shakespeare's revered tale gets a comical, off-the-wall makeover.

Directed by Kelly Asbury (co-director of "Shrek 2") and showcasing both classic and original songs by Elton John, the film features the voices of James McAvoy and Emily Blunt as Gnomeo and Juliet, who have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors.

But with plastic pink flamingos and thrilling lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find a happy ending?

Watch the trailer on apple.com.

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The Elton John & Ray Cooper show in the beautiful amphitheatre of Taormina will be broadcast live by Rai Radio 2.

Tune in online at www.radio2live.rai.it.

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Following is the complete set list of the Elton John & Ray Cooper show in Rome on September 19 & 20, 2010.

Elton solo piano


• The One
  
• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• Border Song
  
• The Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes
  
• The Emporer's New Clothes
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Rocket Man
  
• Never Too Old
  
• Philladelphia Freedom
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Your Song
  
  Elton with Ray Cooper
  
  
• Funeral for a Friend
  
• Tonight
  
• Better Off Dead
  
• Levon
  
• Gone to Shiloh
  
• Indian Sunset
  
• I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself
  
• Daniel
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Bennie And The Jets
  
• Crazy Water
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)

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Air Malta is giving away 50 Elton John tickets for his concert in Malta (Floriana) on September 26, 2010 to everyone who books a flight (return ticket) with Air Malta between September 16 and 25, 2010.

All you need to do is to become a fan of Air Malta’s Facebook Page, to attend this facebook event and to send an e-mail to eltonjohn@malta-for-friends.com with your name, e-mail address and booking code for your Air Malta ticket(s).

Good luck!

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Elton was in very good shape despite the fact that he could hardly walk. He said that he is recovering from a sprained leg.

Following is the complete set list of the Elton John & Ray Cooper show in Milano on September 17, 2010:

Elton solo piano


• The One
  
• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• Border Song
  
• The Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes
  
• The Emporer's New Clothes
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Rocket Man
  
• Never Too Old
  
• Philladelphia Freedom
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Your Song
  
  Elton with Ray Cooper
  
  
• Funeral for a Friend
  
• Tonight
  
• Better Off Dead
  
• Levon
  
• Gone to Shiloh
  
• Indian Sunset
  
• I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself
  
• Daniel
  
• Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
  
• Take Me To The Pilot
  
• Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
  
• Bennie And The Jets
  
• Crazy Water
  
• Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)

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Nick Littlemore remains one of our most faceless talents - but that's all about to change with help from Sir Elton John.

The Sydney musician and Barker College-educated genius of electronic pop, who also fronts Pnau, has been chosen to helm a major part of the next big show for Canada's Cirque Du Soleil. Littlemore has been announced as the composer and musical director of the artistic, musical and acrobatic troupe's next spectacle, to debut at New York's Radio City Hall mid-way through 2011.

But the project has come from the unlikely guidance of Sir Elton and his manager Clive Banks - who have mentored Littlemore after Elton heard Pnau's song Wild Strawberries on the radio and signed him up. "As a producer he (Littlemore) has worked with Sir Elton John, Groove Armada, Ellie Goulding, Robbie Williams, Flora Purim and many others. This new production will be his first collaboration with Cirque du Soleil," the troupe said in a statement.

"Sir Elton John will be guiding his protege Nick Littlemore through the creative process of this new production."

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The University of Liverpool has been awarded funding by the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF) to increase awareness of the problem of drug interactions in HIV positive patients as they face ageing-related conditions and illnesses.

The EJAF has supported the University of Liverpool to develop its HIV drug interactions website so that the web content is both user friendly and relevant to patient needs in different parts of the world. A low technology version of the website will be designed for low bandwidth meaning that people in areas without fast internet connections, such as the developing world and remote locations, can access the website quickly and easily. This version will also include the key drugs used in developing countries.

Sir Elton John said: “Over the past three years we have made enormous progress in scaling up ARV treatment around the world. We need to be sure that treatment can be managed well. To do that, the world’s healthcare professionals need to know as much as possible about the drugs they prescribe. This project will help them maintain safe treatment for thousands of people living with HIV around the world’“

Professor David Back said: “We are delighted to receive this award which will enable us to provide HIV patients and healthcare professionals in the UK and overseas with access to information about HIV drug interactions that is relevant, reliable and up-to-date and can be accessed via a free, user-friendly and open service. With pressure on drugs budgets in developed world and limited access to anatiretrovirals in developing countries, it is vital to ensure the optimisation of therapy. ”

There are currently 25 different antiretrovirals available to treat HIV. Antiretroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and morbidity of HIV infection. The HIV drug interactions website provides drug interaction charts, an FAQ section and information on the latest research in HIV drug developments. More recently, a facility to download the information to pocket PC devices was added which enables doctors and health professionals on the move to access the latest information without access to an internet connection.

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Internationally renown lyricist and Elton John collaborator Bernie Taupin is premiering his latest paintings at Hamilton-Selway Fine Art in West Hollywood, CA.

The show "Beyond Words" begins September 24, 2010 with a VIP Reception. RSVP to david@hamiltonselway.com. The exhibition will run through October 2, 2010 at 8678 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA.

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T Bone Burnett will premiere The Speaking Clock Revue – a multi-artist concert extravaganza – on October 16, 2010 at the Wang Center in Boston and October 20, 2010 at the Beacon Theater in New York City.

Both evenings of the Revue will feature performances by Elton John & Leon Russell, John Mellencamp, Elvis Costello, Gregg Allman, Ralph Stanley, Jeff Bridges, Punch Brothers, Karen Elson, and newcomers The Secret Sisters. In addition, Neko Case and Jim James from My Morning Jacket will join the lineup in Boston and New York respectively.

The concerts will be presented in a revue format with a house band consisting of the players featured on numerous Burnett-produced recordings.

This edition of The Speaking Clock Revue is presented with Participant Media in conjunction with the release of the documentary film Waiting For “Superman”, from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth, It Might Get Loud), which follows a handful of promising students through a U.S. public school system and offers hope by exploring innovative approaches by education reformers who refuse to leave their students behind. All net proceeds from these shows will be donated to The Participant Foundation to support music and arts education programming in public schools.

In conceiving The Speaking Clock Revue, Burnett aims to bring to the live stage a musical event that conveys the excitement he and his fellow musicians experience when creating music in the recording studio. “The privacy and the intimacy of the studio afford artists the freedom to create, but something thrilling happens in getting away from the machines and into the live communication of real time storytelling in the larger community. The first tour I went on, my first job in show business, was on The Rolling Thunder Revue, and I've come back to that type of collaborative and extraordinarily rewarding experience from time to time. We are looking forward with great anticipation to getting The Speaking Clock Revue up and running this fall and continuing it in the years to come,” he said.

Burnett has recently collaborated with nearly all of the performers on The Speaking Clock Revue. "The Union," from Elton John and Leon Russell was produced by Burnett and will be released October 17, 2010 on Decca Records.

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The Sheila Farebrother Collection of Elton John Memorabilia will be held on October 19, 2010 at 6pm.

Viewing Times:
Friday 9am - 5.00pm (prior to day of sale)
Saturday 9am - 2.30pm (prior to day of sale)
Monday 9am - 4.00pm (prior to day of sale)

Sale: EJOCT10
Date: Oct 19 2010 18:00
Location: Lewes North Street

Contact:
Client Services
Phone: +44 (0) 1273 472503

View the catalogue online from October 1, 2010.

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Elton John is to team up with chart-topping star Plan B at this year's Electric Proms, it has been announced.

The music veteran will also perform with hotly tipped singer Rumer, as well as old pal Leon Russell, at the show at London's Roundhouse on October 28, 2010. The annual series of concerts is renowned for its innovative collaborations. Elton's appearance is the first name to be unveiled on this year's bill.

This year the concerts are to be broadcast live only on Radio 2. In previous years they have featured on Radio 1 and 6 Music.

Plan B has had a hugely successful year, reinventing himself from rap act to soul star with number one album The Defamation Of Strickland Banks. Elton said: "The performance will feature some very special guests and memorable moments."

The show will air on TV two days after the live performance, for BBC2's "A Night In With Sir Elton John," which also features a documentary about his life. Radio 2 controller Bob Shennan said: "Radio 2 is proud to be the new home of the Electric Proms and with Elton John launching this year's festival, I know it will be an exceptional event."

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Ben Babylon and John Mahon will be interviewed "live" on the Actors Podcast Network at September 10, 2010 from 10-11:00 a.m. Pacific time with host Brett Walkow.

You can submit questions online, if you wish, after registering at the site, which is free.

John will accompany Ben on two of Ben's new songs.

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Walters returned to ‘The View’ to kick off the 14th season of the daytime chat show on September 7, 2010 and received taped messages of support from stars including Elton John, Helen Mirren, Justin Bieber, David Spade and Martha Stewart.

“Hi Barbara, it’s David here,” Beckham said as his video flashed up on the screen. “Great to see you back well and healthy. Looking forward to seeing you soon – you look amazing, as always. Great to see you back on television – see you soon.”

Elton said in his taped greeting: “I’d like to say how pleased I am to see you back on The View, where you belong, how great it is to see you out of hospital and how wonderful it is to see you live and well and back to your wonderful self.”

Walters also got a big hug from her guest, talk-show host David Letterman, who was making his first appearance on the show. Letterman, who had heart surgery himself a decade ago, joked about their shared experience, asking her: “Did you love the morphine? Wasn’t that fantastic?”

Talking about his surgery, he joked: “I’ll never forget this – my GP put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Everything went great’. That was the best part of the whole thing – that and later the sponge bath.” The veteran TV journalist also showed viewers how her surgery scar is barely visible – and looks like the top of her cleavage.

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You may wonder, what happened to our “friends” at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? They’re meeting on September 13, 2010 to have the annual fight over who will get onto the ballot and who won’t.

As usual, it will be a slugfest between Jann Wenner‘s minions and the few independent voices left on the nominating committee.

Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411 has been told that Leon Russell‘s chances have gotten a lot better since Elton John made an album with him and went on tour together. Elton has petitioned everyone on the nominating committee for Russell. His induction is long overdue. Russell is not only a seminal influence as a rocker, but he wrote some of the best pop songs ever including “A Song for You” and “This Masquerade.”

But that leaves a lot of question marks. Sting is eligible this year as a solo artist. He’s had had too many hits and influenced so much of the music business that he’s the only cinch.

From there things look bleak. Wenner and company have made a point of skipping over some key people from the late 70s to the mid 80s. Cyndi Lauper should be in. The Cars have been overlooked. Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler, as well.

Then there’s the holdovers from the 70s. Wenner bears everyone a grudge for something, so this group is hard to navigate. Chicago, Hall & Oates, Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, The Moody Blues and Todd Rundgren are on that list.

Going backwards, there are a whole roster of important musicians and stars, many of whom are now gone including Billy Preston and Mary Wells. Dionne Warwick, Chuck Wills, Chubby Checker. and so on. And let’s not forget Neil Diamond and Neil Sedaka.

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Elton’s mother is to sell off 40 platinum and gold discs from the star’s chart-topping pop career.

The treasure trove for pop fans also includes the disc for his first major hit single, 1970’s "Your Song," a platinum award for the first million sales of his 1973 album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and another for the phenomenal success of "Candle In The Wind" as a re-released tribute to the Princess of Wales after Diana’s death in 1997.

Sheila Farebrother, 85, is even putting up for auction copies of recordings Sir Elton has given her over the years, as well as the VIP passes she used for backstage access to her son when he was on tour. Mrs Farebrother used to store all the memorabilia in a room at her former home in Bray in Berkshire. But she has downsized to a smaller property on the South Coast and is believed to be keen to save space. However, it is not clear why she is selling the items rather than giving them away or back to Elton.

Music industry experts said it is impossible to predict how much the amazing collection would raise because comparable items rarely come on the market in such volume. Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini said: "This is an extraordinary opportunity for Elton devotees. There will be global demand for these items precisely because of the provenance. To say you own a platinum disc which belonged to Elton’s mother is a dream come true for fans. The mothers of Paul McCartney or John Lennon never lived to see their
success. There hasn’t been anything like this."

Mr Gambaccini – whose career was launched by an interview with Sir Elton in Rolling Stone magazine in 1973 – added: "I think she is at the stage in her life when she wants to start dispensing with items rather than keep collecting them." Elton’s mother keenly encouraged her son’s musical ability as a child. She and Elton’s RAF officer father Stanley Dwight divorced when the star was 15.
She then married Fred Farebrother, a painter, who became a devoted stepfather.

Mrs Farebrother has remained close to her son and was a witness to his civil partnership ceremony with David Furnish in 2005. Until 2007 she was also listed as a director of William A Bong, Elton’s company.

The auction at Gorringes in Lewes, East Sussex, in October 2010 will also feature items belonging to the star’s ex-manager Bob Halley, including a diamond-studded crucifix valued at £3,000 from elite jeweller Theo Fennell, inscribed by the singer and given as a Christmas present. Andrew Elliston-Elhinn of Gorringes said Mrs Farebrother was keen to sell after moving house.

He said: "I asked her if the records she was selling were autographed. But she said, 'Why would they be? He’s my son.' " A spokesman for Sir Elton declined to comment.

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Billy Elliot star James Lomas has had the good fortune of being rescued by the musical's composer, Elton John, after he found himself temporarily 'resting' between theatrical engagements.

Not only has Elton taken 20-year old James on a aboard his yacht, Hercules, in the Med, but the singer's pal, shoe designer Patrick Cox, also given him a job. "I'm working behind the counter in Patrick's new shop," says James at its this week. "It keeps the money coming in while I'm resting."

Patrick opened Cox Cookies & Cake in Old Compton Street with patissier Eric Lanlard who made Madonna's wedding cake. Adds James: 'I have to wear a studded black leather apron and a T-shirt emblazoned with "Eat Me". But I don't mind. After all, this is Soho ...'

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It is hard to believe, but one year has already passed since the sudden and tragic death of Guy Babylon.

It was on September 2, 2009, when we had to bring you the sad news that the former keyboarder of Elton's band had died of a heart attack while swimming in the pool. Guy was only 52.

A little bit of Guy seems to be living on in his talented son, Ben Babylon. If you haven't done so already, check out Ben's website.

But today we would like to remember his father - a very talented keyboard player, arranger and composer, but - as we said before - also one of the nicest persons on the planet.

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The ninth annual Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) benefit is getting a style boost this year thanks to one of its honorees, Tamara Mellon.

At EJAF's star-studded An Enduring Vision gala on October 18, 2010, the Jimmy Choo founder and CCO will take the stage at Cipriani Wall Street and receive the Enduring Vision award for her support of Elton's organization in the U.S. and U.K.

Five years ago, Mellon created the Four Inches Project, which provided monetary support to programs benefiting women and children affected by AIDS in Africa, and in 2009 she partnered with the EJAF to launch the Project PEP capsule accessories and shoes collection, with 25-percent of the proceeds going to women in South Africa.

Others to be recognized at the gala include Victor Pinchuk and Elena Franchuk, who have worked to expose the AIDS epidemic in the Ukraine, and EJAF supporters Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg. The night, which raised $2 million last year and will once again be hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper, will also include performances by Elton John and Leon Russell.

Fashion industry titans Donna Karan and Evelyn and Leonard Lauder of Estee Lauder, along with Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and others, will serve as co-chairs of the big night.

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