Australian and international Elton John music news...
Music News Australia is delighted to announce that Elton
John is returning to Australia this month. Read on for much more on that as
well as great news about his Elton John Aids Foundation and other artists
assisting this worthy cause.
News Media Update...
Elton John Playing Sydney Entertainment Centre
Elton John And His Band - 15th November 2012
Elton John Solo Concert featuring Elton John vs Pnau set -
16th November 2012
CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROCKET MAN ELTON JOHN
RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA
Forty years ago, Elton John's single Rocket Man (I Think
It's Going To Be A Long Long Time) was released around the world. To
celebrate the landmark 40 year anniversary of its release, Sir Elton John has
been taking the celebrations globally for a world tour and will be returning to
our shores, taking his record number of shows at the iconic Sydney
Entertainment Centre to a staggering 42.
Performing with a full band, Elton’s shows will commemorate
the 40 years since the release of Rocket Man as well as being a celebration of
Elton’s greatest hits. Fans can expect to see this timeless entertainer
take them on a journey thru his multi-decade career, backed by his ever-dynamic
touring band.
Elton John and his band is one of the most successful live
acts currently touring. The concert which showcases and brings together
so many of Elton’s classic and much loved tracks from the decades will have the
audience tapping, clapping, dancing and singing along. This is an artist
who is one of biggest selling solo artists of all time, selling in the vicinity
of more than 250 million records worldwide. He is also one of the most
prolific touring artists in the world with Elton John performing his 3,000th
live show last year and certainly shows no sign of slowing down.
Be sure to join in the celebration of this landmark
anniversary at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROCKET MAN - ELTON JOHN
RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA -
Forty years ago, during April 1972, Elton John's single
Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time) was released around the
world. To celebrate the landmark 40 year anniversary of its release, Sir
Elton John has been taking the celebrations globally for a world tour and will
be returning to our shores for his record 42nd Sydney Entertainment Centre show
plus a very special run of shows, some in parts of Australia he’s never been.
To kick things off, Elton John will perform during the
opening week of the brand new Perth Arena on Monday 12th November.
Following on from Perth, the tour then heads to our nation’s capital,
Canberra for a show at Canberra Stadium on Wednesday 14th November, before
finishing things up at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Thursday 15th
November – taking his record number of shows at the iconic Sydney venue to
a staggering 42.
Performing with a full band, Elton’s shows will commemorate
the 40 years since the release of Rocket Man as well as being a celebration of
Elton’s greatest hits. Fans can expect to see this timeless entertainer
take them on a journey thru his multi-decade career, backed by his ever-dynamic
touring band.
The single, Rocket Man, was a global success, breaking
records in multiple territories around the world and achieving the highest
chart positions ever held at that point by any Elton John single.
More than just a charting success, Rocket Man held esteemed
critical acclaim across the globe garnering reviews following the 1972 release
such as this from UK music bible, Disc magazine; “This is by far the best thing
Elton John has ever done - it's quite superb...this band is great, the song is
great, Bernie Taupin's lyrics are great and if the Honky Chateau LP is
going to be like this you're going to have to listen to it in little doses or
you'll go mad. After two hearings I was so busy singing along that I couldn't
get myself organised into taking notes about the structure of the record.
Consumer, not critic, that's me, and I can consume music like this for
evermore.”
Beyond these many accolades, Rocket Man also held with it a
cultural and historical significance that remains unrivalled by any other song.
Elton's American record company connected the release of Rocket Man to
the launch of Apollo 16, and took out press advertisements saying 'On the
morning of April 16, 1972, Apollo 16 was launched into orbit on a journey
to the moon. A few mornings earlier Uni Records launched a new Elton John
single into a world-wide orbit. WHAT A TRIP! Both launchings bound to set new
records.'
On 28 April 1972 Elton and the band played a concert at
Hofheinz Pavilion, University of Houston, Texas, the second date of their 1972
American tour. Ahead of the show, the Rocket Man met the 'Rocket men' at
the Manned Space Centre in Houston, Texas, where Al Worden, Apollo 15 command
module pilot, took Elton, Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone on a
conducted tour of the NASA headquarters.
In April of this year, Elton was told that European Space
Agency (ESA) astronaut André Kuipers had made a special point of playing Rocket
Man over the airwaves of the International Space Station (ISS) on the song's
fortieth anniversary. André said, "This song has been an
inspiration to many people who are interested in space, and especially those
who wanted to become astronauts, including myself. It is certainly one of the
most played songs here on the ISS, and we know it will accompany more
astronauts into space in the future."
Be sure to join in the celebration of this landmark
anniversary.
News...
Emeli Sandé & Labrinth discuss performing together for
the Elton John AIDS Foundation...
The award winning Emeli Sandé and music sensation Labrinth
have announced that they will both be performing at this year’s GREY GOOSE
Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation, on Saturday 10th
November in Battersea Power Station, London.
The Winter Ball, now in its sixth year, is one of the most
hotly anticipated events on the international social calendar. In previous
years, guests have enjoyed exceptional music performances from artists
including Sir Elton John himself, Kelly Rowland, Plan B and Roisin Murphy.
Continuing its reputation for bringing the world’s best
musicians to its stage, the GREY GOOSE Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John
AIDS Foundation will see two of the music industry’s biggest names each perform
an intimate set for guests.
With a string of top ten singles in the UK and international
charts, Emeli Sandé recently became the toast of the London Olympic Games
following her outstanding performances at both the opening and closing
ceremonies. Labrinth, whose debut studio album Electronic Earth reached number
two in the UK album charts earlier this year, has also enjoyed enormous success
of late.
Emeli Sandé will treat guests to a solo after dinner
performance at the Winter Ball, which will be followed by a set from Labrinth.
The duo recently collaborated on Beneath Your Beautiful, one of the singles
from Labrinth’s debut album, which they will perform together for guests as a
duet.
Multimedia footage...
Emeli Sandé and Labrinth To Perform at GREY GOOSE® Winter
Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation
Website
Award winning Emeli Sandé and music sensation Labrinth announce
they will be performing at this year’s GREY GOOSE Winter Ball to benefit the
Elton John AIDS Foundation, on Saturday 10 November in Battersea Power Station,
London.
The Winter Ball, now in its sixth year, is one of the most
hotly anticipated events on the international social calendar. In previous
years, guests have enjoyed exceptional music performances from artists
including Sir Elton John himself, Kelly Rowland, Plan B and Roisin Murphy.
Continuing its reputation for bringing the world’s best musicians to its stage,
the GREY GOOSE Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation will see
two of the music industry’s biggest names each perform an intimate set for
guests.
With a string of top ten singles in the UK and international
charts, Emeli Sandé recently became the toast of the London Olympic Games
following her outstanding performances at both the opening and closing
ceremonies. Labrinth, whose debut studio album Electronic Earth reached number
two in the UK album charts earlier this year, has also enjoyed enormous success
of late.
Emeli Sandé will treat guests to a solo after dinner
performance at the Winter Ball, which will be followed by a set from Labrinth.
The duo recently collaborated on Beneath Your Beautiful, one of the singles
from Labrinth’s debut album, which they will perform together for guests as a
duet.
The theme of the Winter Ball is 1950’s Cote D’Azur and will
see party goers transported from a chilly autumn evening in London to a scene
reminiscent of the Riviera in its heyday, where poolside glamour, palm trees
and pastel colour schemes about.
Elton John bio...
Biography at-a-glance...
SIR
ELTON HERCULES JOHN, (Knighted 1998.) Born Pinner, Middlesex,
England, March 25, 1947, Reginald Kenneth Dwight. Son of late Stanley Dwight
and of Sheila (now Farebrother), changed name to Elton Hercules John.
Married Renate Blauel, Feb 14, 1984 (Dissolved Nov. 18,
1988), Civil Partnership with David Furnish, December 21, 2005. Student, Royal
Academy of Music, London, 1959-64.
Singer, songwriter, musician, began playing piano 1951,
joined group Bluesology, 1965-67. Since 1969 has toured across the world
consistently as a solo performer and with the Elton John band.
Film (appearance): Tommy, 1975.
Films (voice): The Lion King, 1994, The Road to El Dorado,
2000.
Appearances: Live Aid, 1985, Freddie Mercury Tribute
concert, 1992, Live 8, 2005.
Composer: (Broadway musical) The Lion King, 1998 (6 Tony
Awards); Aida, 2000 (Tony Award for Best Original Score); Lestat, 2006; (West
End Musical) Billy Elliot the Musical, 2005 (Olivier Award for Best Musical).
Composer: (albums) Empty Sky, 1969; Elton John, Tumbleweed
Connection, 1970; 11.17.70, Friends, Madman Across The Water, 1971; Honky
Chateau, 1972; Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, Goodbye Yellow Brick
Road, 1973; Caribou, Greatest Hits, 1974; Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt
Cowboy, Rock of the Westies, 1975; Here and There, Blue Moves, 1976; Greatest
Hits Volume II, 1977; A Single Man, 1978; Victim of Love, 1979; 21 at 33, 1980;
The Fox, 1981; Jump Up, 1982; Too Low for Zero, 1983; Breaking Hearts, 1984;
Ice on Fire, 1985; Leather Jackets, 1986; Live in Australia, 1987; Reg Strikes
Back, 1988; Sleeping With the Past, 1989; To Be Continued, 1990; The One, 1992;
Duets, 1993; Made in England, 1995; Love Songs, 1996; The Big Picture, 1997;
Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, The Muse, 1999; One Night Only, 2000; Songs
From the West Coast, 2001; Greatest Hits 1970 - 2002, 2002; Peachtree Road,
2004; The Captain & The Kid, 2006; Rocket Man- Number Ones, 2007; The
Union, 2010.
Composer music (film): The Lion King, 1994 (Best Original
Song Acad. Award for Can You Feel the Love Tonight?); The Road to El Dorado,
2000.
Chairman of Watford Football Club, 1976-90, president,
1990-.
Established Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992.
Patron - IAVI (International AIDS Vaccine Initiative),
Patron - Terrence Higgins Trust, Patron - The Globe Theatre, Patron - Amnesty
International, Scholarship Fund - Royal Academy of Music, Chairman - Old Vic
Trust.
Awards include Best British Male Artist Brit Award 1991,
inducted into Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, 1994, 5 Grammy Award 1986-2000, Grammy
Legend Award, 2001, Kennedy Center Honor, 2004, 11 Ivor Novello Awards, 1973 -
2000.
Achievements include: first popular Western singer to
perform in USSR, 1979; playing to over 2 million people across 4 continents,
1984-86. Made Commander of the Order of the British Empire, 1996; received
knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, February 24, 1998. Released biggest selling
single of all time, Candle In The Wind 1997 (over 33,000,000 copies sold),
1997. Received Honorary Doctorate, Royal Academy of Music, 2002, became Fellow
of the British Academy of Songwriters and Composers, 2004.
Co-written many international hit songs with Bernie Taupin
(and others) including Your Song, Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, Daniel, Goodbye
Yellow Brick Road, Candle In The Wind, Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me,
Philadelphia Freedom, Don't Go Breaking My Heart (duet with Kiki Dee), Sorry
Seems to be the Hardest Word, The Bitch Is Back, Song For Guy, I Guess That's
Why The Call the Blues, I'm Still Standing, Nikita, Blue Eyes, Sacrifice,
Circle of Life, Are You Ready For Love, I Want Love, Electricity.
ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION
Since the mid-1980's, Elton John has channeled the grief
over the loss of many dear friends to HIV/AIDS into various efforts to help
raise money for charitable organizations supporting AIDS research and providing
vital services to people with HIV/AIDS. In 1992, frustrated and angered by the
growing magnitude of the epidemic and how comparatively little was being done
to help those affected by the virus, he decided to bring focus to all of his
AIDS-related work by establishing the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) in the
United States (EJAF-US, registered in New York). The following year, he also
established this foundation in the United Kingdom (EJAF-UK, registered in
London).
Today, EJAF is one of the world's leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS
organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to
eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care
and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Together, both entities
have raised over $150 million to support such programs in 55 countries around
the globe since inception. EJAF supports its work through proceeds from
concerts, arts-related exhibitions, and special events; cause-related marketing
projects and licensed merchandising; and voluntary contributions (large and
small) from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
EJAF-US's grant-making supports programs in the United
States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. EJAF-UK focuses its grant
making on projects in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Without question, EJAF's greatest asset and strength is its
Founder and Chairman, Sir Elton John. No mere figurehead, Sir Elton serves as
EJAF's chief fund-raiser - conducting benefit concerts, meeting with major
donors, foundations and corporations, and participating in numerous public
events. Also, as a highly visible and outspoken advocate, he has testified
before Congress, spoken at press conferences, writes editorials and delivers
speeches at events and awards ceremonies. His status as an entertainment icon
and his many years as a dedicated AIDS activist and philanthropist bring
tremendous visibility and credibility to EJAF's work.
For information on grant-making and fund-raising activities
conducted by EJAF-US, please visit
www.ejaf.org.
For information on grant-making and fund-raising conducted by EJAF-UK, please
visit
www.ejaf.com.
Websites
Elton John official website
Elton John Aids Foundation
Emeli Sandé official website
Labrinth official website
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