Elton John (Элтон Джон)

DEAR JOHN!

SIR ELTON JOHN has launched a Ј1m scholarship campaign in aid of students at the ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC.

The star won a scholarship to the academy himself more than 30 years ago, at the age of 11, and had lessons there for six years. He has now established an endowment fund, with the aim of helping youngsters from poorer backgrounds achieve success in the music world.

Sir Elton told today's (May 20)Times newspaper he was "repaying a debt" to the organisation.

Yesterday (May 19) the first four students received their scholarships, which will range from Ј1,000 to Ј10,000. To help raise the necessary funds, Sir Elton recently staged a concert at the Royal Opera House in central London.

Sir Elton won a talented young musician scholarship in the late 1950s. His professional career began in the mid-Sixties as a pianist and singer with the band Bluesology. He has gone to become one of the biggest-selling artists in the history of popular music. The star is currently embarking on a series of lucrative sell-out shows at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

Elton John Piano Finds A New Home

A piano owned by Elton John and seen on the back of his 'Empty Sky' album has been added to the Cantos Music Foundation instrument collection in Calgary, Canada.

The 1910 piano was used to compose his first five album 'Empty Sky', 'Elton John' (1970), 'Tumbleweed Connection' (1970), 'Madman Across The Water' (1971) and 'Friends soundtrack' (1971).

The piano was donated to Cantos after being purchased anonymously from an auction in Texas for $US164,500.

Cantos spent four months restoring the instrument to it's original glory.

Some of the songs written on the piano include 'Your Song', 'Levon' and 'Tiny Dancer'.

The Cantos Music Foundation was created on January 1, 2003. It was formed from the integration of two local organizations that focused on understanding and presenting music to the community: TriumphEnt Foundation and Cantos Music Museum. Through the integration of TriumphEnt Foundation's annual programs and the Cantos Music Museum, Cantos Music Foundation is able to bring a broader range of programs and other offerings to the community

Elton Unveils 'Billy Elliot' Songs

Elton John previewed his latest project, a musical based on the film "Billy Elliot," in a performance on June 22) of four of 17 songs he has written for the production.

The 57-year-old pop star said he was deeply moved when he saw the movie, about a young boy in a northern England mining town who defies his father to take ballet lessons. "I was sobbing in my seat and had to be carted out by three people," John said.

The show will begin with warm-up stints in November in Newcastle, England, and is scheduled to premiere in London on March 11, 2005. The stage version of "Billy Elliot" will be directed by Stephen Daldry, who received an Oscar nomination for directing the 2000 film.

Beginning Monday (June 28), John will play five shows in the United Kingdom backed by an orchestra and choir, dovetailing into a similar five-night stint in mid-July at New York's Radio City Music Hall. His ongoing engagement at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas will resume July 23.

A new studio album, "Peachtree Road," is due in November via Universal. Beforehand, John can be heard guesting on Bruce Hornsby's next album, "Halcyon Days," due Aug. 10 via Columbia.

Elton will play at Watford!
30-June-2004

Lifelong Watford Football Club fan Elton John is to play a concert at Watford's Vicarage Road Stadium next year – with his fee and all profits going to the club’s ring-fenced fund to buy back the freehold of the stadium.

An entertainment licence has still to be granted, but the date for the proposed concert is Saturday June 18 2005.

“This is absolutely fantastic news", said Watford chairman Graham Simpson. “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 expected to be huge, but Watford season ticket holders will be granted a preferential period for ticket purchase before any tickets are offered to the general public. No date has yet been announced for ticket sales, but we will announce the information here as soon as it is available. “We’re always looking for ways to reward our most loyal fans – and this is a perfect opportunity,” says Simpson.

Elton commented: “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. 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.”

The concert will play a key role in raising the required funds for the repurchase of the Vicarage Road freehold, with the club also looking at other innovative fund-raising methods. Last year Elton donated his fee from the Sky TV ‘Are You Ready For Love’ campaign to the stadium repurchase fund.

The Elected Mayor of Watford, Dorothy Thornhill, is equally enthusiastic on behalf of the town for the concert to go ahead: “His willingness to do the concert shows his support for both the current management of the club and his affection for the town."she said.

The Editor says: "I was there on the pitch at Watford for that Elton concert on May 5, 1974, and I still remember the fantastic atmosphere that Elton generated that day. He holds a very special place in the hearts of the Watford people, and next year's concert is sure to be the summer highlight. If you are thinking of coming to England next summer keep that date free - we hope to have an allocation of tickets for the concert and will announce details very soon."

Songwriting recognition for Elton

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 Sir 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."

The award marks the start of a partnership between the British Academy and the BBC.

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."

Dream Ticket Features More than 70 Songs and Never-Before-Seen Footage Spanning Elton John's Entire Career
Four-DVD Set will be Released in November Exclusively at Best Buy

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 12, 2004-- The definitive Elton John DVD set, Dream Ticket, is scheduled to be released this fall 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."

Elton John's career has spanned more than three decades and he is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time. He has won a wide array of industry awards including Grammys, Tonys and an Oscar and continues to add innovative work to his personal repertoire of 35 gold and 25 platinum albums.

Талантлив он, причем необыкновенно. Редкий по силе таланта человек.

Rocket Man blows a fuse

BY JOANNA MOLLOY
DAILY NEWS GOSSIP COLUMNIST

Last night was all right for fighting at Elton John's after-party.
The guest of honor got into a spat with a woman and briefly bolted the affair.

A triumphant John had just entered the glittering fete at the Rainbow Room when he was approached by a middle-aged woman in a black dress.

"I play better boogie-woogie piano than you," she told the acclaimed singer-songwriter.

"No, you can't," he replied.

"Yes, I can," she insisted.

"You know what, you're one rude b----," he said, and headed back down in the elevator.

The incident stunned guests including Candice Bergen and Deborah Norville, who had just enjoyed John's benefit concert at Radio City Music Hall for the Juilliard School and London's Royal Academy of Music.

"It's a shame," said rock photographer Kevin Mazur. "He was so ecstatic. I rode up on the elevator with him. He was so happy."

The woman skulked away under glares.

Party hostess Cornelia Guest managed to get John on his cell phone and persuade him to come back - to a standing ovation.

Juilliard President Joseph Polisi told him, "Elton, you are a genius and you bring passion, joy and hope for the future to your music, hope that we all need."

Originally published on July 14, 2004

Elton hits out at 'bullying' Bush regime
17/07/2004

Elton John has hit out at the “bullying tactics” used by the US government to stop artistic dissent.

The millionaire singer said entertainers who criticised the Bush administration or its policy on the Iraq war risked damage to their careers.

“There’s an atmosphere of fear in America right now that is deadly. Everyone is too career-conscious. They’re all too scared,” he said.

Speaking to the New York magazine Interview, Elton said: “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.”

The singer said things were different in the 1960s when: “People like Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, The Beatles and Pete Seeger were constantly writing and talking about what was going on.”

“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,” he said.

Elton said performers could be put off speaking out because it might be that they are “frightened by the current administration’s bullying tactics when it comes to free speech”.

He added: “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 and the band The Dixie Chicks as two examples of the way pro- and anti-Bush opinions were received.

“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.”

Elton John is in New York playing a series of concerts.

Элтон Джон критикует Белый дом

Элтон Джон, прибывший на гастроли в Нью-Йорк, обрушился с критикой на администрацию США, обвинив ее ущемлении свободы слова.
По словам музыканта, многие звезды шоу-бизнеса в США боятся высказываться против войны в Ираке из-за проводимой правительством США "тактики запугивания".

"В США царит атмосфера страха. Они боятся за свою карьеру". - сказал Элтон Джон журналисту издания "Интервью".

"Год назад никто не мог и слова сказать из страха, что их карьера может быть полностью разрушена людьми, которые назовут вас антиамериканцем", - сказал певец.

Маккартизм по новому

Певец вспомнил маккартизм 50-х годов, но оговорился, что тогда ситуация отличалась от сегодняшней.

"Тогда Боб Дилан, Нина Симон, "Битлз" и Пит Сигер постоянно писали и говорили о том, что происходит", - сказал Джон.

"Сейчас этого не происходит. Этой весной не было ни одного антивоенного концерта или даже отдельно взятой антивоенной песни", - посетовал музыкант.

Элтон Джон обеспокоен тем, что создается ощущение дисбаланса - если вы "пробушевец", об этом можно говорить на каждом углу, если же вы критикуете президента, то вы рискуете своей карьерой.

Музыкант приводит в пример певца Тоби Кита, поддержавшего политику Белого дома в Ираке, и группы Dixie Chicks, занявшую позицию по другую стороны баррикад.

"С одной стороны Тоби Кит выступил в поддержку войны в Ираке. И в этом нет ничего плохого, потому что Америка - это демократичная страна, и Тоби Кит свободен говорить то, что он думает, - сказал Джон, - С другой стороны, Dixie Chicks в прошлом году попала в опалу из-за критики в сторону президента. Музыкантов обвинили в антиамериканизме, в то время как они на самом деле имеют такое же право,как и Кит, говорить то, что думают".

ВВС

July 17, 2004 -- Hollywood News

When Sir Elton John met Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Elton John remembers his meeting with Sir Paul McCartney as heavenly. According to ratethemusic.com, Elton met Paul at the Abbey road studios in London while recording with the comedy group, The Barron Knights.

"In walked Paul McCartney when 'Hey Jude' was number one and Bernie and I were standing there like, 'Oh my God, it's Paul McCartney," Elton recalls. "They asked him to play it and he reluctantly sat down and played 'Hey Jude' and Bernie and I were standing in the corner going, 'Oh my God, I think we've just died and gone to heaven,'" he added.

Concert review: At benefit, Elton John resonates
Star Tribune July 21, 2004

This month, Sir Elton John has performed with 100-piece orchestras and 60-voice choirs in London and New York City. On Tuesday night, he performed with just a grand piano -- and his grand voice -- 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.

Yes? I love Elton's song abaut Lion King!

Elton lines up first Сhinese concerts

Sir Elton John will play a series of concerts in the Far East in September including his first ever concerts in China.

Elton will play concerts at the Grand Stage, Shanghai, China, on September 19 and September 21. He will also play at the Convention Centre, Hong Kong, China, on September 13.

The Asian tour will also include concerts at the Chung Shan Football Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan, on September 15 and the Olympic Main Stadium, Seoul, South Korea, on September 17.

According to Yang Yibin, deputy general manager of Xin Xin Sports Development promoters the dates could be the prelude to a full China tour within tour years by the 57-year-old singer.

Elton will be the latest superstar to perform in China. Recently Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli have performed concerts there.

Elton Faces Off With Billie Jean

(07/28/04) -- Rocker Elton John will face tennis icon Billie Jean King in a mixed doubles match for the singer's AIDS Foundation charity and the National AIDS Fund. The 12th annual World Team Tennis All-Star Smash Hits will take place October 11th at the Bren Center at the University of California, Irvine. The special event will also feature a match by Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, as well as other top players competing in men's doubles, women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. The players will form two teams, one captained by John and the other by King. Sounds like a standoff to me. Organizers hope to raise at least $1 million.

More Elton classic albums for SACD re-release
3-August-2004

Following the success of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which was remastered in 5.1 surround sound and released as an SACD (Super Audio CD) last November, Universal Records is to release Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across The Water, Honky Chateau, and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy in SACD Stereo/SACD Surround Sound/CD audio SACD formats. All of the surround mixes were done by Greg Penny, who also did the surround mix on the remastered Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

In addition to the surround programme, the stereo programme has been remastered for both SACD Stereo and CD, so these titles will sound far superior to the 1995 reissues that are in the marketplace. The mastering is being done in the UK by Tony Cousins (using the EQ* notes from the late Gus Dudgeon) who worked with Gus on the remasters back in 1995.

The provisional release date for these titles is 26 October, 2004.

* EQ is the process of altering the levels of frequencies that comprise a signal. It is also called "equalization."

Look to the "Sky"

A new Elton John song titled "Answer in the Sky" will hit radio airwaves Aug. 31. It will be the first tune to be released from John's upcoming album, Peachtree Road, which is due in November. In other news, John's Dream Ticket -- the four-DVD set http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040712/125895_1.html featuring live footage, interviews and previously unreleased material -- will be made available exclusively at Best Buy outlets starting Nov. 9. To preorder the collection, click here http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?j=1&id=1381885&skuId=6800232&type=product

Elton sells off photo collection

Sir Elton John is auctioning off part of his extensive photographic collection including work from some of the most well-respected photographers.
Sir Elton began collecting photographs in 1991 and it is now considered one of the leading private collections.

He decided to sell off some of them in order to diversify his collection.

Among the items on sale at Christie's in New York on 14 October are works by Edward Steichen, Robert Mapplethorpe and Ansel Adams.

Among the 4,000 photographs in Sir Elton's collection are 20th Century modernist works and contemporary images.

"A periodic assessment of any collection is a productive and necessary exercise," said Josh Holderman, Christie's international director of the Photographic Department.

"The sale of certain acquisitions from time to time often proves a very useful endeavour, ensuring the collection's continued integrity."

Flamoboyant wardrobe

Highlights include Ansel Adam's Tetons and Snake River, which has an estimated high of $45,000 (£25,0285), a print by sculptor Constantine Brancusi, expected to reach $15,000 (£8,345).

Works by Robert Mapplethorpe, Irving Penn and John Dugdale are also included in the sale.

There are also two prints of Sir Elton John taken early on in his career by British fashion photographer Norman Parkinson.

Sir Elton is no stranger to clearing out his possession, regularly selling-off clothes from his flamboyant wardrobe for charity.

He also sold all the fixtures and fittings from his London home in order to redecorate.

Center of Attention

Elton John is one of a half-dozen artists and entertainers who will be presented with the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C. The pop star and his fellow honorees are being lauded for contributing "significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world," says the Kennedy Center's chairman.
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors/

Meanwhile, Gibraltar has released special packages of postage stamps bearing John's image to commemorate his Sept. 10 concert celebrating the British territory's tercentenary.
http://www.gibraltar-stamps.com/stamps.asp?Category_ID=79

Elton John has announced the release date and track listing of his upcoming album, Peachtree Road. The 12-song CD is due out Nov. 9. Meanwhile, the disc's first single, "Answer in the Sky," bowed at No. 25 on the latest Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.