Elton John, Billy Joel tribute to perform free concert

By Village of Hoffman Estates

Piano Man tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel to perform free concert on Thursday, July 14. Courtesy Piano Man Productions/Village of Hoffman Estates

The Hoffman Estates Arts Commission and the Hoffman Estates Park District welcome Piano Man to the Village Green in the western part of the Village. Piano Man takes the stage Thursday, July 14, at 7 p.m. as part of the "Summer Sounds on the Green" concert series.
Piano Man is a show not to be missed with all the glitz and glamour of a Las Vegas act, featuring a video show, costume changes, set designs and stage props. Every song is a hit, giving the audience a musical experience they will not soon forget.
This concert is the fourth of a series of eight summer shows. All performances take place on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. The Virginia Mary Hayter Village Green is located at 5510 Prairie Stone Parkway, just west of the Sears Centre Arena off Route 72 in the Prairie Stone Business Park.
Admission is free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair to the amphitheater. If you are bringing a picnic, do not bring glass bottles, glasses or glass containers for the safety of barefoot patrons.
Levy Food Service will be selling a variety of food at the concession stand, including pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos and gluten-free snacks. For the first time, beer, wine and mixed drinks will also be available for purchase.
For more information, including directions and parking details, call 847-252-5448, or visit the Arts Commission Web site at www.hoffmanestatesarts.com.

Elton John – A Musical Icon Hits The Stage Once Again

http://articlesforfree.co.uk/elton-john-a-musical-icon-hits-the-stage-once-again

Elton John, over time, has proven to be one of the most influential musicians of his time. His “time” spans several decades, and his legion of fans spans several generations. John has been performing for more than 30 years, and this summer’s tour is bound to attract millions of followers around the United States.
Early Life
Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in England in 1947, and his early childhood was shaped primarily by the women in his life. His father, Stanley Dwight, was a Squadron Leader in the RAF, which meant that he was rarely around his son, as his military duty kept him on tour for years.
John proved to be something of a child prodigy, as by the age of four, he was able to play piano melodies by ear after hearing them either on the radio or record player. He continued to hone his love for music, and he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music when he was 11.
John studied at the Academy for six years, but left before he graduated because he felt he was ready to concentrate on his professional music career. John played in his share of bands while he was a student, and it was during this time that his professional attitude and style were formulated in such a way that they would serve him throughout his career.
Early Career
John’s first band was formed when he was 13, and it was called The Corvettes. The Corvettes ultimately changed their name to Bluesology, which experienced some success as a backup band for such R&B artists as the Isley Brothers and Patti LaBelle. This exposure led to Bluesology being signed to serve as Long John Baldry’s supporting band, and they would tour and play small shows throughout England during this time.
John soon became disillusioned with the tight-fisted control that Baldry exerted over Bluesology and left the band soon thereafter. Even though there were initial failures, as John auditioned for lead singer roles with King Crimson and Gentle Giant without being hired, this part of his life led him to a partnership that exists to this day.
Career Success
John once again failed in an audition with Liberty Records, but as he was leaving the audition, he was given a group of lyrics without music that were written by Bernie Taupin, who has also tried out for a role with Liberty Records. John wrote music to support the lyrics, and the two began corresponding. John and Taupin met six months later, and it was during this time that John changed his name to what it is today. After a couple of years of writing music together, the partners were ready to encounter the 1970’s, which was a decade where they experienced a level of success that was unmatched in history.
Taupin and John began releasing singles with moderate success, and formed a band of musicians that would lead to John’s first number one album, Honky Chateau, in 1972. The album contained such hits as “Rocket Man” and “Honky Cat,” and spent five weeks at number one.
The following year, John started his own label, Rocket Records, and his string of success was amazing. His next nine albums all climbed to the top of the US Album charts, and his 31 releases since his first have sold hundreds of millions of copies around the world.
Awards/Acknowledgements
John is revered by millions, both inside the music industry and by the public in general. He has been recognized in several ways. John has won five Grammy Awards, although this is just the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of his recognition. In 1995, John won an Academy Award for Best Music, Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” featured in The Lion King. He won a Golden Globe Award that same year for Best Original Song – Motion Picture for the same score. In 1996, he was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (C.B.E.), and in 1998, he was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his contribution to music and fund-raising for AIDS charities. Finally, in 2000, John won a Tony Award for Best Original Musical Score for his work with Aida. John was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.