Ready To Work, Sir Elton John Released From Hospital,

Out of hospital to Sir Elton John and is feeling much better after being struck down with a bout of flu and an E.coli bacterial infection, according to media reports.
His spokesman said: “He’s fine, absolutely fine.”
John, 62, is now planning to resume his work, reported mirror.co.uk.
The “Rocket Man” singer had postponed performances in Sheffield, Newcastle, London, Liverpool and Dublin since Oct 23 when he contracted flu.
In his four decade career, John has sold more than 200 million records, one of the most successful making him artists of all time.

Elton John concert cancelled due to ill

Elton John concert tomorrow night at the O2 in Dublin has been called off as the singer is too ill to perform.
Aiken Promotions says the 63 year old is suffering with flu and is piercingly disappointed about the cancellation.
The company says it is in talks to look if the gig can be rescheduled for December.
Ticket holders are being advised to retain their tickets and await further announcements.

Tribute To Boyzone's Stephen Gately Sir Elton John pays

Sir Elton John and influential music journalist Paul Gambaccini are amongst the the names who have paid their respects to Boyzone singer Stephen Gately.
Pop star died in 33 year old while on holiday in Majorca with his long term partner Andy Cowles yesterday.
Paying tribute, Sir Elton John said: "David (Furnish) and I are stunned by this tragedy. Stephen was the kindest, gentlest soul. We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."
Paul Gambaccini said: "He's a performer with the word 'boy' in his professional title and boys aren't supposed to die.
"This is way too soon and way too unspecific for us to feel that this is at all the right thing to happen. This is a very sad thing on a personal level and a professional level.”
Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, who is due to appear on X Factor this evening, said: “I'm in complete shock. I was only with him on Monday at an awards ceremony. We don't know much about what's happened yet.
"I only heard after The X Factor and we will rally around each other this week. He was a great man."
Meanwhile, on Twitter Stephen Fry wrote: "Just heard the very sad news about dear Stephen Gately. What a dreadful shock. He was loveable and sweet-natured and will be hugely missed."
The cause of Gately's death is not yet known.

Elton John will never get Ukrainian child

The mother of the Ukrainian child Sir Elton John wants to adopt has vowed to never give him up.The HIV positive woman known only as Marina has revealed , 15 month old Lev she will never give over to the pop superstar and his husband David Furnish because she wants to get her life together and raise him herself. The 25 year old who never relinquished her parental rights said: "I will not give my baby to Elton John for any money."Elton, 62, spoke out last month of his plans to adopt the toddler who "stole his heart" when he met him at an orphanage in Makeyevka. However, Marina who had her two children taken from her by social services because of her problems with alcohol is determined to look after the little boy on her own. She told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "I understand Elton's feelings. Lev is a very sunny and cheerful boy. It's impossible not to love him."But I'm going to overcome my problems. I so much want my babies back."Under Ukrainian law, adoptive parents must be no more than 45 years older than an adopted child Elton is more than 60 years older than Lev.Same sex couples are also forbidden from adopting because homosexual marriages are not recognised in the Eastern European country.

ELTON EXTENDS ADOPTION SEARCH

SIR ELTON JOHN is continuing his search for an orphan to adopt with his partner DAVID FURNISH.The Rocket Man singer, who wed Furnish in a civil partnership in 2005, was devastated after his dreams of playing parent to Lev, a toddler he met in a Ukrainian orphanage, were dashed by a local law forbidding gay couples from adopting. Film producer Furnish reveals the pair has since considered taking in a boy from Africa. He tells Britain's Sunday Telegraph, "We were in Africa for the (Sir Elton John) Aids Foundation and met a boy, and instantlythought about adopting him." But the pair decided they would have to look elsewhere after learning the tot was still connected to members of his family. Furnish adds, "When we found out he had a maternal grandmother, and brother and sister, we realised it wouldn't be the right thing to take him away from the family he had there. We would love to adopt Lev, but that does not seem possible under Ukrainian rules."

'Black Gives Way to Blue' collaboration Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell and Elton John

The poignant “Black Gives Way to Blue”—which serves as the title track on the new Alice In Chains album contains a guest appearance on the piano by none other than Elton John. We asked AIC guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell and Sir Elton to talk about how they joined forces on this tribute song for the band’s late singer, Layne Staley.
JERRY CANTRELL: “We were toward the end of recording the record, and I had demoed that particular song two different ways with a piano track and without a piano track. It’s a actually powerful and important song on the record, obviously. We decided to try it (with) a piano track, so we were trying to figure out who was going to play on it. And Baldy, a good friend of the band who had worked with Elton John before, was like, “Why don’t you call Elton?” And we laughed about that for a minute. I was like, “Yeah, right! I’m sure he’s plenty of other things to do than to come play on our song.” And he was like, “You never know unless you ask.” And I thought about that and I was like, ‘He’s absolutely right.’ Elton is a very important musical influence to all of us in varying degrees, and especially to me. My first album was Elton John’s Greatest Hits. And actually, we were reminded by Layne’s stepfather that Elton was his first concert, so it was all really appropriate. So I wrote (Elton) an e-mail and explained what his music meant to us, and that this song was for Layne. We sent him a demo, and he said it was beautiful and he’d love to play on it. In the studio he was actually relaxed and gracious, and he’s got a nice sense of humor. We were just trying to be cool: ‘Oh, yeah, no big deal.’ But we were excited. (Drummer Sean Kinney) and I had to walk out a couple of times to smoke cigarettes, like, ‘Holy s, this is killer.’ It’s one of those highlights you can’t expect in life, and you’re lucky to get them once in a while. And that is one.”
ELTON JOHN: “I was kind of surprised that Alice in Chains would ask me to do anything. I never thought I’d play on an Alice in Chains record. When I heard the song I actually wanted to do it. I liked the fact that it was so beautiful and very simple. They had a nice thinking of what they wanted me to do on it and it turned out great.”

Elton John: The Bitch Is Back - A Top Story This Week

Elton John: The Bitch Is Back was a top story for this week. Here it is again: (PR) In a career spanning five decades, Elton John has proved he can do it all in the world of popular music. He is a true story. Best-selling celebrity biographer MARK BEGO surveys the life and career of the glittering pop star in his 52nd book Elton John: The Bitch Is Back, published by Phoenix Books.Until now, no book published has successfully footaged his passion and outlandishness or the truth behind his complex private life. Previous books have handled his life with kid gloves, nearly making him into a tasteful 21st Century George Gershwin. In reality, Elton's life more closely parallels that of Oscar Wilde. He has been wild, glitzy, boozy, bawdy and improper. And it is his big personality and grand gestures, as well as his tremendous talent that mesmerizes his millions of worldwide followers. According to the author, "I am actually excited about this new book, and I know that Elton's fans will be as well." Bego has rounded up a fascinating pairs of interview subjects for his Elton biography. "I specifically wanted to talk to people who personally know Elton, and who are not usually interviewed for Elton John books," he explains. "These people's insights into Elton make this quite exciting. Researching this book I interviewed Alice Cooper, Billy Wyman of The Rolling Stones, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Angela Bowie, Sarah Dash of LaBelle, Randy Jones of the Village People, Duncan Faure of The Bay City Rollers, and Gary Brooker of Procol Harum. I also received some great stories from Danny Hutton and Jimmy Greenspoon of Three Dog Night. A lot of people don't realize that it was Three Dog Night who recorded the song that became America's first picture to Elton's music, via their recording of 'Lady Samantha.' One of my most fun interviews was with the totally colorful and outrageous RuPaul. And, those are just some of the rock & roll figures quoted in the book! There are many more."

Review, Sir Elton John live at the Royal Albert Hall

The power of Sir Elton John's solo performance reminded his audience at the Royal Albert Hall that he is a true original. Rating

'I never thought I’d be doing a concert to buy a new organ,” Sir Elton John quipped at the start of a marathon three hour (almost) solo set. Thankfully, the organ in question was not a replacement for some part of the 62 year old superstar’s declineing anatomy. Rather, Sir Elton was in philanthropic mode, raising funds for a 14-ton, Swiss-engineered million-pound instrument for his old alma mater, the Royal Academy of Music.
For Elton, who regularly tours arenas and stadiums with various combinations of band and orchestra, this was an intimate affair, just one man and his piano. He’s been around so long that he has the revered air of an institution but, dipping into some of the more curious and neglected corners of his vast back catalogue, his sprawling set was a potent reminder that he is really a true original.
From almost Gothically haunting early material like Sixty Years On and The Greatest Discovery (both from 1970’s Elton John) to the angry political storytelling of Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes and American Triangle (from 2001’s Songs From The West Coast), Elton’s mastermind has been to take Bernie Taupin’s verbose, florid lyrics and awkward narratives and transform them into graceful, flowing songs, where melodies unwind with a kind of remorseless logic. And then to sing them (no matter how weird and greatful the subject matter) with complete conviction.
There is an increasing poignancy to Elton live, as if he is engaged in a heroic battle with the slowly encroaching restriction of age. His fingers look stubby and unironed as they dance across the keys, his voice is rougher with each passing year and he has long since lost his falsetto, but he just barrels through it, singing and playing up a storm. The piano rang out, so rich and full and played with such verve, I’m not sure he even wants the midi-triggering effect he is fond of, with which he doubles up notes with orchestral synths. Nor, for that matter, did he actually need the slightly intrusive presence of hyperactive percussionist Ray Cooper.
“How very appropriate that on the day Chas & Dave break up, we’re back together,” Elton joked. And that, in truth, is what their occasional partnership feels like, a bit of a crowd pleasing jolly. Cooper comes on like a party turn, leaping about between a huge array of percussive instruments. I’m not convinced his solo on a duck call whistle added very much to Elton’s storming rendition of ’Honky Cat’. Sometimes you wish he’d just calm down and keep a gentle beat on a tambourine.
To be frank, Elton doesn’t need Cooper or, seemingely, anyone else to gild the lily. At his best, the bold singularity of his solo performance is a powerful reminder that there has always been more to Elton John than just his reputation.

Free download, Elton John campaigns against

Sir Elton John has waded into the row over illegal downloading of music, telling the U.K. government the practice will have a "seriously detrimental" effect on the industry.
Senior figures within British music are considering proposals from Business Secretary Lord Mandelson for a crackdown on illicit file sharing online.
Singer Lily Allen opened up the debate when she attacked the Featured Artists Coalition, a collective of musicians taking a softer position on illegal downloads.
And Rocket Man singer John has now joined calls for tougher action writing a letter to Lord Mandelson urging him to force through his proposal.
He writes, "For what it is worth, I am of the view that the unchecked proliferation of illegal downloading (even on a 'non commercial' basis) will have a earnestly detrimental effect on musicians, and specially young musicians and those composers who are not performing artists."

Elton John branded a sinner

Sir Elton John has been labelled a sinner by the Ukranian Orthodox Church.
The pop star has been denied permission to adopt a boy from the Ukraine because he's an elderly homosexual.
A spokesperson for the Church has told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper that Elton's same sex relationship is a sin and has thanked God that the country's law has been upheld.
The singer announced on Saturday he and partner David Furnish wanted to adopt a 14-month-old boy called Lev, who had 'stolen their hearts'.
But Ukraine's family, youth and sports minister Yuriy Pavlenko said the adoption was not possible because Sir Elton is too old and is not married.
Adoptive parents must be married under Ukrainian rules and although the celebrity pair have been joined in a civil ceremony, the former Soviet republic does not recognise same-sex unions.
Also, an international children's charity has warned that cases like Sir Elton John's plan may lead to more youngsters being abandoned.
The couple met baby Lev at an orphanage where many of the children's parents have died from Aids.
'Having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him. I don't know how we do that but he has stolen my heart,' he said.
'And he has stolen David's heart and it would be wonderful if we can have a home.'
But charity EveryChild said high-profile adoptions 'send out the wrong message'.
'Research conducted in Ukraine by Liverpool University found that vulnerable mothers were encouraged by news of wealthy foreigners adopting from children's homes,' said chief executive Anna Feuchtwang.
'(They) place their own children in care in the hope that they would get a better life.'
While the group welcomed Sir Elton's efforts in raising awareness of the plight of children affected by HIV in Ukraine, Ms Feuchtwang said most youngsters there would never by adopted internationally and faced a bleak future.
'Children who grow up in a children's home are much more likely to end up in prison, involved with drugs and prostitution and go on to abandon their own children,' she added.
'The actions of celebrities like Madonna, and now possibly Elton John, could be really increasing the number of children in children's homes in countries like Ukraine.'

Elton John to adopt Ukrainian toddler

LONDON Look out, Madonna and Angelina Jolie pop ...
LONDON Look out, Madonna and Angelina Jolie pop star Elton John has decided he wants to join the ranks of A list celebrities with adopted children.But it's not clear if John, 62, will be able to adopt, and the Rocket Man star has not yet started formal proceedings, which are often long and perplexed.John and longtime partner David Furnish are concerned in trying to adopt a Ukrainian toddler named Lev they met during an orphanage tour there.The singer told resulters in Ukraine on Saturday that Furnish has long needed to adopt a child but that he was loath until he met Lev at an orphanage where many of the children's parents have died from AIDS."David always needed to adopt a child and I always said 'no' because I am 62 and I think because of the traveling I do and the life I have, maybe it wouldn't be fair for the child," John said."But having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him. I don't know how we do that but he has stolen my heart. And he has stolen David's heart and it would be greatful if we can have a home. I've changed my mind today."He acknowledged bureaucratic hurdles may make adoption of a Ukrainian child impossible, citing the lack of a formal adoption protocol between England and the Ukraine as a serious potential problem.He said, "I don't know what the procedure is to adopt a boy from the Ukraine. I don't think I can because England doesn't have a accord with the Ukraine," But he said the fact that Furnish, 46, is Canadian may provide an avenue for adoption from the Ukraine. Some countries also make it for gay couples to adopt.John and Furnish toured the orphanage where John performed for the children as part of his AIDS Foundation work. Ukraine has one of the fastest rising rates of HIV infection in Europe.John said he was motivated in part by the sudden death last week of one of his closest friends, keyboardist Guy Babylon."It broke my heart because he was such a brillient and so young and has two greatful children," John said. "What better opportunity to replace someone I lost than to replace him with someone I can give a future to

Elton John celebrate T.O. musicians

TORONTO - Just because Elton John is still standing doesn't mean you can't throw a night to celebrate his greatness.Saturday Night's Alright For Elton, happening at Hugh's Room tomorrow, isn't your ordinary tribute, mind you.Don't require to hear slavish rendition of classics like Rocket Man or Daniel. Not when Michael Wrycraft is the man behind the event and the lineup includes singer songwriters like Spiral Beach, Scott McCord, Kim Beggs and Ariana Gillis."Up until he hit middle age, he was one of the most redoubtable pop/rock gods on the airwaves, and because he has about 40 highly recognizable songs," says Wryrcraft when asked the reason behind the night. "Also, Hugh's Room had given me a night, but honestly, I would love to hear these people pounding out some Elton."It's gonna be fun!"Wrycraft is the brainchild behind several very democratic unorthodox tribute shows. He's organized tributes to Tom Waits and Kate Bush, but his flagship show is Girls Do Boys which features eight women singing songs by their favourite male singers. To date, he's put together 22 of these.Oh, and there's also Boys Do Girls.He's aware that getting folks into a club on the Labour Day weekend is a challenge, but he points to the tiddler success of a Kate Bush tribute that was held on what Hugh's Room considered "to be the deadliest dead slow weekend of the summer, a week they traditionally close down and black out each year."But I got 85 paid (people) in the room," Wrycraft says. "Not great considering the cost of the show."But not too ratty either.Wrycraft is understandably reluctant to tell us who he's most excited about hearing on Saturday, but he doesn't conceal his enthusiasm for Spiral Beach."They're rocketing skyward as Canada's newest indie darlings," he says. "They owe much more to the B-52s, Talking Heads and the like than, say, Arcade Fire and all these bands that sound the same."They have an angular, oblique way of looking at rock and pop," he explains. "Their next album (The Only Real Thing) isn't out until the end of the month, but the stuff I've heard punched me in the butt and brain."I've known these kids since they were teeny -- three of the four are children of notorious folk/roots darlings, but instead of going the cute folksy singer songwriter route they started rocking."I can't wait to hear them do Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."Wrycraft's shows are worth checking not only to hear unlawful takes on tunes by Tom Waits, Kate Bush or Elton John, but to also see musicians who many in the know feel will soon become household names. Aside from Spiral Beach, Saturday Night's Alright For Elton will give us the chance to check out "a fabulous group of powerful and very young females on their way skyward" including Allie Hughes, Ariana Gillis, Dolly, and Kim Beggs.Each of the eight performers will do two Elton John songs each and the night will end with everyone singing one song. Wrycraft says,"It's gonna be amazing!"

Elton John, Saturday night's all right for partying

In this tough economy, what we all want is a distraction say, a guy wearing Coke-bottle glasses, platform shoes and a feather boa who sings Crocodile Rock.
On Saturday, Rus Anderson will be that guy during Rocket Man: The Elton John Experience.
During his solo show at My Place restaurant in Indian Rocks Beach, the 29 year old will play piano and sing four decades of EJ's hits, from Tiny Dancer and Pinball Wizard to Can You Feel the Love Tonight? and the 1997 remake of Candle in the Wind. He'll also dress the part with assorted costume changes, including the tuxedo John wore during a 1984 performance at London's Wembley Stadium, which Anderson bought on eBay for a few thousand dollars.
"If I had to do one thing to impersonate Elton John, it would be the gap between the teeth," said Anderson, of Clearwater. His wife, part time makeup artist Somali Rose, will help Anderson get into character.
Anderson and Rose came up with the idea for a public tribute show last winter. Anderson, a full-time musician, was already performing at several beach venues with an act that included a sprinkling of Elton John wraps. He had also been contracted to perform all-EJ sets at private parties and wedding receptions, so he knew there was demand for an Ellton Jhon music in Tampa Bay. His only other public Elton John show took place at My Place in May.
"My phone blows up twice a day at least with Elvis music calling me. Sinatra, guys like that," said Eric Larson, the restaurant's general manager. But Anderson's performance was a infrequent treat for his customers. "People that don't even like Elton John, like myself, frankly, pleasure the show."
According to Anderson, there's a reason why Elton John imusic are rare.
"The vocals are really hard," Anderson said. "I was lucky that I have same range as he does, and I love his music enough to be overenthusiastic about it."
Anderson's fandom started currently, when he was a toddler growing up in Glasgow, Scotland. The young sci-fi lover was drawn to John's space themed single Rocket Man and evenly became hooked on all the singer's albums.
Although Anderson has never been to a live EJ show he tried once, but it got canceled only a few degrees of break up come between him and the star. On Oct. 30, Anderson will headline a fundraiser for Orlando Lunch Around the World, a chapter of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, at the Orlando Science Center.
Anderson's dream is to meet the real Elton John in person. For now, though, he's concert to share the songman's music with Tampa Bay.
"I just think people deserve more around here. They need shows, and they wants some excitement," Anderson said. "It's tough times for America, and when something like this comes along, it gives people an escape for awhile. That's what my job is, and I get to have a good time doing it."

Stones Top Hire Chart Jumping Jack Cash

The Rolling Stones have been crowned the "most expensive wedding act in the world" at up to £5m for a booking.

The Stones trumped Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, and Kylie Minogue in a poll to find out the entertainers that would cost the most to charter for your wedding.
But if million pound plus fees for superstars are out of your bridal estimate, the study discovered up and coming singers Lady Gaga and Katy Perry can be yours for around £60,000.
If you want something many rocking, wedding circuit favourites The Proclaimers will blast out I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) for £50,000.
At half the price X Factor runners up JLS can faint you and your loved ones for £25,000 - £975,000 less than fellow X Factor star turned worldwide sensation Leona Lewis.

Top Ten Budget Busting Wedding Crooners

1. The Rolling Stones up to £5m
2. Sir Elton John up to £2m
3. Kylie Minogue up to £2m
4. Christina Aguilera up to £1.5m
5. George Michael £1.3m
6. Amy Winehouse £1m
7. Sir Paul McCartney £1m
8. Leona Lewis £1m
9. Jennifer Lopez £1m
8. Barry Manilow £750,000