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Soup to Nuts--Posted by editor_usa Elton is One of Deli Owner's Former Customers Friday
3 September 2010 @ 16:55 - GMT
Roy St. Pierre spent 11 years on the road cooking for the top tier of entertainers, the Orlando Sentinel has reported.
The proof is in his Lake Mary eatery. There are autographed photographs from many household names, Elton and Sheryl Crow among them.
St. Pierre's move to Central Florida was supposed to be the beginning of his retirement.
But his wife ''got a great job offer down here,'' says the 50-year-old, and during just two months off, he went ''stir-crazy.''
He says he missed the great delis of Boston and other cities.
''Everywhere I looked, it was chain after chain of so-so food. About that time our kids were looking for jobs, so I decided to open up a place that served my kind of food.''
Behind The Scenes of ''The Union''--Posted by editor_usa
Friday
3 September 2010 @ 16:18 - GMT
Below is a photo of Elton, taken during The Union sessions.
It is courtesy of Facebook, which has a page devoted to the new album from the Rocket Man and Leon Russell.
Elton and Leon to Entertain at Next EJAF Gala--Posted by editor_usa
Thursday
2 September 2010 @ 17:00 - GMT
The ninth annual EJAF Enduring Vision gala is being held on October 18 at Cipriani WallStreet in New York City.
Tamara Mellon, founder of Jimmy Choo, is going to receive the Enduring Vision award for her support of the musician's organisation in the U.S. and U.K.
Five years ago, Mellon created the Four Inches Project, which provided monetary support to programmes helping 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% of the proceeds going to women in South Africa.
Others to be recognised include Victor Pinchuk and Elena Franchuk, who have worked to expose the AIDS epidemic in the Ukraine, and EJAF supporters Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg.
A highlight of the night, which raised $2 million last year and will once again be hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper, will be a performanc by Elton and Leon Russell.
Fashion industry titans Donna Karan and Evelyn and Leonard Lauder, along with StevenSpielberg and David Geffen, will be among the co-chairs.
''Smash Hits'' Tickets Are Available Next Week--Posted by editor_usa
Thursday
2 September 2010 @ 16:43 - GMT
Elton and Billy Jean King are bringing their annual WTT Smash Hits charity night to Washington, D.C., for the first time in the AIDS benefit's 18-year history.
Andre Agassi, Stefanie Graf,Anna Kournikova and James Blake are to join other top tennis players for WTT Smash Hits, presented by GEICO, on Monday, November 15, at Bender Arena on the campus of American University. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 7, at 10 a.m. Eastern.
Prices range from $40-$120. General admission seats are $40. Reserved bleacher seats are $60, and reserved courtside seats range from $100 to $120. Options include ordering through the American University online Box Office at www.aueagles.com/tickets or visiting WTT's site. For group sales of 10 or more tickets, call 202/552-5999.
Special VIP ticket packages, including VIP courtside seating and admission to the Smash Hits VIP Reception and Auction, will also be available for $500. Elton and the otherl players will take part in the pre-match live auction, which will include piano bench signed by Elton. To buy VIP ticket packages or for more information, please phone 202/552-5999.
Dancing in The End Zone--Posted by editor_usa Players From John/Hall Musical Have Been Invited to The White House Thursday
2 September 2010 @ 16:04 - GMT
Michelle Obama will host a tribute to Judith Jamison, the longtime artistic director of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, on September 7.
The East Room performance will include Ailey dancers as well as members of the Washington Ballet and the New York City Ballet, plus one of the Billys from Broadway's Billy Elliot musical, Dayton Tavares.
The White House event will also include a 90-minute afternoon workshop, led by the invited dance companies for students from around the country, who will also be guests at the performance. Those participating in the 3 p.m. workshop include Jacob Clemente, Alex Ko and Liam Redhead from Billy Elliot.
King of The Jungle--Posted by editor_usa Nevada Holds Special Performance of Rice/John Show While Singapore Prepares For Premiere Tuesday
31 August 2010 @ 16:32 - GMT
Nevada Public Radio listeners and members have an opportunity to support public radio and experience the majesty of Elton and Tim Rice's Lion King for one special performance on September 25.
The global phenomenon is the winner of more than 70 major accolades worldwide, including the Tony Award for Best Musical.
A limited number of tickets for the September 25 performance at Mandalay Bay Resortand Casino at 8 p.m. will benefit and must be purchased through Nevada Public Radio.
Current Nevada Public Radio members and listeners may purchase multiple tickets at the special price of $75 for Tier II seating or $50 for Tier III seating. The special pricing equates to saving of $50 to $58 off regularly priced tickets. Tickets must be picked up at the will-call and may not be resold. To purchase tickets, dial (702) 258-9895 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
And across the pond, auditions to fill two key roles for The Lion King, that's set to make its Southeast Asia debut in Singapore next year, will begin on September 5.
The production is looking for children aged between 8 and 13 from Singapore and the Philippines, who can sing, dance and act, to play the African lion cubs Simba and Nala.
The six chosen candidates will get the chance to star alongside veterans of the acclaimed London and Paris productions.
The musical will open at the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort in March 2011.
Rehearsals commence in January.
Brought into Singapore by BASE Entertainment, the production is being developed specifically for the region and Marina BaySands' theatre while maintaining the original Broadway quality standards.
Milan Rokic, vice president and managing director of BASE Entertainment Asia, said: "BASE Entertainment has just set up a subsidiary in Singapore so we are excited to open the state-of-the-art theatre at Marina Bay Sands with Disney TheatricalGroup's LionKing,one of the most spectacular Broadway shows in history.
"The show has a tremendous reputation throughout the entertainment industry and we anticipate a strong demand in Singapore from locals and visitors alike."
The final cast of 49 shall come from eight countries across five continents.
The Singapore cast will also include South African members, in keeping with the show's spirit of authenticity.
Gaurav Kripalani, artistic director with the Singapore Repertory Theatre, said: "The theatre is thrilled to be involved with Disney Theatrical Group in finding the right talent for what is slated to be the landmark Broadway event for Southeast Asia, putting Singapore on the map as the arts hub for the region.
"We look forward to finding local talent and growing their careers in what will be a spectacular introduction, via The Lion King,to the arts and Broadway productions."
Those interested can email LionKingAuditions@srt.com.sg to book a slot no later than September 1.
Auditions will be held at the Singapore Repertory Theatre.
It's a Man's World--Posted by editor_usa Elton's Former Vehicle is Businessman's Pride And Joy Tuesday
31 August 2010 @ 16:11 - GMT
James Caan was born Nazim Khan in Lahore.
But the young businessman changed his name after seeing the Hollywood actor's name at the end of a film.
Initially working for his father's leather jacket firm, he moved into recruitment aged 18 and at 24 founded his own company, Alexander Mann, later selling his stake for £25 million. Caan set up private equity company Hamilton Bradshaw in 2004 and since 2007 has been one of the investors on BBC2's Dragons' Den. This year he launched the Entrepreneurs' Business Academy to encourage, train and advise small businesses.
He spoke with the Daily Mail, though, about a car, previously owned by Sir Elton, that he considers his ''pride and joy.''
''I'd settled on an Eighties Aston Martin V8 - there aren't many around, so they've got the 'wow' factor. But I didn't see any that were in a decent condition, until I read that Elton John was auctioning off 20 cars, including this. I thought, 'I bet Elton will have maintained it well,' and I was right. The car had only done a couple of hundred miles and looked brand new. Elton has a fleet of over 30 cars spread over his various homes on different continents and I think he treats them like suits: he uses them every now and then, but the rest of the time they're kept in storage.
He added that Timothy Dalton drove a hard-top version of the V8 inTheLiving Daylights.
''It's got a hand-made quality and elegance that's uniquely British. Looked at from the front, to me, it seems to be roaring like a lion. It's very meaty and masculine. With most modern convertibles, the hood disappears into the car. I like the fact that my roof sits on the car. I also like the body-coloured spoiler and grille. It's got the old-fashioned headlamps. There's something about the older designs I prefer. I'd buy this over a modern DB9 or V8 Vantage any day.''
The Big Picture--Posted by editor_usa Elton's Connection to a Hotel Magnate Monday
30 August 2010 @ 17:31 - GMT
Earlier this year, a South African hotel and gambling honcho joined Elton, David Furnish and Annie Lennox at the EJAF's One&Only fundraiser in Cape Town.
They posed for a photograph Elton later purchased. It was snapped by Mikhael Subotzky and donated by Goodman Gallery.
More recently, Sol Kerzner celebrated his 75th birthday in St Tropez, where Elton has been vacationing.
Sol's guests were expected to include names like Elton and Ivana Trump.
Goodbye 24--Posted by editor_usa One of Elton's Classics Figures in Fallon's Skit Monday
30 August 2010 @ 16:48 - GMT
Last night, Jimmy Fallon hosted the 62nd annual Emmy Awards.
The comic dedicated his performance to "three shows we lost this year." First, he was dressed as Elton, wearing flowery outfit and delivering his own version of Candle in the Wind behind a pink grand piano in a bid to say goodbye to Kiefer Sutherland's 24.
He sang, "Goodbye '24'/ Though I never watched you on TV/ I missed one episode/ Had to buy the DVDs."
Next, Fallon channeled a member of Boyz II Men. He changed the lyrics of It's So Hard toSay Goodbye to Yesterday as a salute to Law & Order, which comes to an end this year after 10 years.
The last musical tribute saw Jimmy acknowledging the loss of Lost by performing as Green Day's Billy Joe Armstrong.
A picture of Jimmy as ''Elton'' is below.
Duets--Posted by editor_usa News About Elton, Leon, Ray And Eminem Friday
27 August 2010 @ 18:47 - GMT
Tickets sold out quickly after going on sale this morning for Elton and LeonRussell's joint appearance at New York's Beacon Theatre on October 19.
This comes a month after Elton does a number of European gigs with RayCooper.
Another date has been added, and the two are to play the Teatro Politeama in Catanzaro, Italy.
This takes place on September 23.
Meanwhile, an Entertainment Weekly poll of surprising collaborations reveals that Elton and Eminem top the list, for their 2001 Grammy Award performance of Stan.
An Interview With Elton's Percussionist--Posted by editor_usa
Friday
27 August 2010 @ 18:33 - GMT
John Mahon has spoken with the Associated Content Web site. . . .
I understand that you chose to become a drummer at around age twelve when your father took you to Canton Ohio Police Boys Club and you signed up for the Drum and Bugle Corp. I also understand that, throughout your young years, you were extremely active in the performing ensembles offered by your schools. How did these experiences shape you as a music fan and as a performer?
Participation in the school music programs broadened my musical experiences. I was exposed to many different genres of music that I would never have heard or played if not for the school bands. Of course, we played marches but there were classical pieces and even some contemporary compositions. Another part is the choir which was a good way to learn pitch and ensemble singing.
These programs teach a musician to play with an ensemble, take constructive criticism, and be motivated by your fellow band members.
Is anyone else in your family musically inclined?
My father sang and played trumpet. My uncle was a Big Band singer and my grandfather played guitar.
How did you come to be part of the acclaimed Elton John Band?
I met Davey Johnstone after he heard a recording I was working on with Bob Birch whom I have known and played with for many years since moving to LA. I did some recording for Davey and Guy Babylon, and not long after that session, Davey asked me to audition for Elton's band.
I've read on your personal Web site that you spend some of your free time writing and recording your own original songs. Can you describe how you approach the mysterious task of songwriting and tell us a bit about your original music?
My music, I suppose, is pop based with a soul/jazz influence. I like to write lyrics first most of the time. Sometimes I will just come up with a musical motif or loop that I like writing around. I write all kinds of music - soundtrack, electronic, organic - even some kid's music. I think all these influences have put me in the musical blender! Of course I love drums and percussion based music - who doesn't?
Asked about his own ambitions, the musician, who also plays piano, replied:
''Elton is touring almost constantly. I plan to continue writing lyrics and songs. I just played drums and percussion on some smooth jazz tracks for a new artist Ja Nya Sol. I'm producing and playing some music with a friend in Ohio, David Marchione, who is extremely talented. We are doing experimental soundtrack music right now. As always, listening, learning, and keeping the darn computer working!''
35 Years On--Posted by editor_usa Movie With Elton as ''Pinball Wizard'' Will Be On Blu-Ray Thursday
26 August 2010 @ 17:26 - GMT
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is inviting music fans to re-live a star-studded rock event.
Ken Russell’s Tommy, the 1975 flick based on The Who’s album of the same name, comes to Blu-ray Disc for the first time, newly restored and remastered in high definition.
Tommy arrives on Blu-ray on September 7, 2010, but folks can pre-order at Amazon.com.
Digitally restored, and with a newly re-mastered 5.1 soundtrack, in addition to the original 5.0 Quintaphonic track, the release includes appearances by the likes of Elton, Jack Nicholson, Eric Clapton and Ann-Marget.
Also, users will be able to access real-time information on the cast, music and more.
Heart of Gold--Posted by editor_usa There is Talk That Elton Will Help Young's Cause Again Thursday
26 August 2010 @ 17:17 - GMT
Pearl Jam will appear at Neil Young's next Bridge School Benefit.
The concerts are to be held on October 23 and October 24 in Mountain View, California.
It's not yet known who else will play the event, which raises money for children with severe physical impairments. But Elton, Nickelback and Alice in Chains are rumoured to be among the acts.
Elton performed on behalf of the benefit in 2006, and photos from this appear at
