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Biografia Elton John

Biografia Elton John
A trajetória da carreira de Elton John em capitulos

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quinta-feira, 10 de fevereiro de 2011

Elton John: Billy Joel Hates Me

Elton John, Chelsea Clinton & Anna Wintour Kick Off Fashion Week At amFAR Gala (PHOTOS)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/10/elton-john-chelsea-clinton-anna-wintour_n_821191.html#s237730&title=_Stevie_Wonder

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Posted: 02-10-11 07:42 AM
A flock of fashionistas and fashion-supporters headed to Cipriani Wall Street on Wednesday to kick off the fall shows at the amFAR New York Gala. Some highlights? Marc Mezvinsky and Chelsea Clinton all gussied up, Carine Roitfeld in not black but white and supermodel Carol Alt looking as stunning as ever.
Check out who was there and what they wore.





Elton John gets a new gnome

http://www.ukscreen.com/article.htm?article_id=40493

Husam Asi learns how Sir Elton John is inspired by young artists as well as old

10 February 2011

One of pop music's living legends, Sir Elton John, has sold more than a quarter of a billion records and enjoyed more than fifty Top 40 hits over his five-decade career, reaching a kind of commercial success that has dwarfed his art. Some industry calculations estimate that his music once accounted for as much as three percent of annual sales worldwide.
Husam Asi with Elton John
Husam Asi with Elton John
Until this day, the 63-year-old singer, composer and pianist remains a formidable live draw, attracting young and old alike.
"I learned from the young," he exclaims. "A lot of my contemporaries don't listen to new music. They don't get that energy that you can get from the young. I still want to hear the next thing that's going to inspire me. Of course, I am inspired by the past. Who wouldn't be? If you want to remain, why would you want to keep listening to the same music? I keep my eye on the ball and I still have fun with it. That's why I've been around for 40 years."
Since his early twenties, every week, the timeless musician has bought new releases, amassing a collection of over 70,000 CDs. He listens to new music, goes to the movies and visits new art exhibitions, constantly searching for inspiration.
"There is always something around the corner that you didn't expect to find, someone who will inspire you and whenever I am inspired by an artist, whether it be a singer, an actor, a dancer, a painter or a writer, I phone them or I write them a letter and say thank you because I remember when I was young and getting a telegram from George Harrison and being introduced on stage by Neil Diamond meant so much to me. It validated what I did and if you validate the young and you give them encouragement and you say, 'listen you're doing really good work at your age,' it inspires you and it inspires them."
Conscious of the difficulties and hardships young talents face in the early stages of their careers, Sir Elton has established a management company that is dedicated to guiding and nurturing such talent, encouraging them to play live without rushing them.
"Records aren't selling," he exclaims. "Sales figures in the last weeks on Soundscan and Billboard have been the lowest that they've ever been. The number 1 album this week sold 44,000 copies, which is unheard of. It's quite scary, but live entertainment is doing very well."
"Don't put out the first album just for the sake of it. You have to know, you have to tour, you have to play in front of three people, you have to play in front of 100 people, and maybe it's not so good and you're disappointed, but that gives you the necessary resolve and experience, so you're ready when you become successful."
Although he finds instant television shows entertaining, Sir Elton believes that they don't give an artist any stability for the future. "You're just as good as that series and then the next series comes along and there's someone else so I worry about the artist in that sense."
A technophobe, who doesn't have a phone, a computer or an iPod, Sir Elton laments the closure of many book and music stores. "It's going to get very depressing because I like the tangible feel of a CD, a book or a record. That's gradually disappearing from landscapes."
But he is upbeat about the future of the music industry. "Music will always be okay because people will want to see live entertainment and that's where, as an artist, if you can't play live, you're stuck now."
Sir Elton's career is not confined to live music. The 9 times Grammy award winner has also scored major motion pictures, such as Days of Thunder, Four Weddings and A Funeral and The Lion King, for which he won an Academy Award for the song 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' in 1995.
In the 90s, he formed his own production company 'Rocket Pictures', whose latest production is the animated comedy 'Gnomeo and Juliet', which retells Shakespeare's tragic love story of two teenagers in the world of garden gnomes and gives it a happy ending.
Composed by James Newton Howard, who used to be in Sir Elton's backing band, the film is graced by a soundtrack featuring both new songs and classics from the Elton John-Bernie Taupin library, including 'Tiny Dancer', 'Rocket Man', 'Bennie and The Jets' and 'I'm Still Standing'.
Each song has been fitted to an appropriate scene, lending it an emotional depth and enhancing its comedy.
"I suddenly become the gnome," he laughs. "We just sifted through the lyrics and even though the lyrics aren't in there, the songs that seemed appropriate for each scene we gradually got them and worked them out."
"I never ever envisaged doing a film about gnomes, but one of the funniest things in my life was when Tim Rice gave me a lyric for The Lion King and it started off 'When I was a young warthog'. I thought, 'Oh my God, what am I doing? I'm writing songs about warthogs.' But gnomes are funny characters and they're great."
Dressed in a dark navy suit and crew-necked shirt and wearing rimless blue glasses and making jokes about himself and his work, Sir Elton believes that artists should not take themselves too seriously. "We're blessed to be who we are. We're not more important than anybody else, and if you can't take a joke, then you're a sad person. I hope I've always had the capacity not to take myself too seriously and I think being able to send yourself up in visual ways as well as verbal ways is great. That's why I do things like Gnomeo."
Sir Elton's creativity is always sparked by the written word. He began his career collaborating with Bernie Taupin, who has written many of his songs, and in the 1990s he teamed up with Tim Rice, producing awards-winning soundtracks for Disney's animated smash 'The Lion King' and Verdi's opera 'Aida'.
"I don't really create until I have a project in front of me. It's always been lyrics first. When I get a written lyric from Bernie Taupin or Lee Hall or Tim Rice, that inspires me to write."
Without changing a word and rarely consulting the lyricists, Sir Elton fits his tune to the words almost effortlessly. He seldom spends more than an hour writing a song, and he never thinks about what he's going to write until he goes into the studio to record.
I have met Sir Elton John in the past at social events; he is amiable, engaging and a lively conversationalist. However, I have never seen him beaming with so much joy and vibrancy as he is today. He is known for his profound love for music, but that love seems to have paled next to his love to his recently-born son, Zachary.
It's evident that everything in his world now spins around Zachary.
Zachary was born in Los Angeles on Christmas Day to a surrogate mother. Sir Elton and his partner, David Furnish, whom he married in 2005, contributed equally to the conception. On the birth certificate, Sir Elton is listed as the father and David as the mother.
"I just saw him this morning and he's something that's brightened our lives tremendously in the nearly four weeks that we've had him. I've had amazing things that have happened to me in my life, career wise and personal life, but this is the icing on the cake. "
Running into his 60s, Sir Elton is not concerned about fathering a child. "I am 60 going on 40," he laughs. "I have just thought this is the right time for David and myself to have a child."
"I am young at heart. I work hard and I do more shows now that I ever did before. I will try and be as young for him as I can."
An exciting life is awaiting little Zachary. His proud father, who own homes in England, Los Angeles, Nice, Venice and Latin America, is planning to take him everywhere he goes, whether it's business, pleasure or music tours. And unlike his technophobe father, Zachary has already got his own iPod, playing Mozart, Chopin, Carole King, the Carpenters, James Taylor and Sir Elton John, to his tender ears.
"I'll have to enter the world of technology," Sir Elton sighs. "They are coming out with a Skype iPad in April and I've got to get one because I want to see my son when I am not there."
The arrival of Zachary has relaxed but also energised Sir Elton. He is currently involved in the development of a musical adaption of George Orwell's Animal Farm. He is also planning to produce a film about himself.
"We're talking about maybe three to four years' time, so I think Robert Downey Jr. could definitely play me at one point in my life because he's musical and he sings. He'd be wonderful."


T Bone Burnett Honored by Elton John and Producers at Grammy Gala

http://www.spinner.com/2011/02/10/t-bone-burnett-grammy-awards/

Angela Weiss, Getty Images
Grammy Week's festivities kicked into high gear on Wednesday night with a tribute for T Bone Burnett at Santa Monica's legendary Village Studio.

The 10-time Grammy winner was honored by two of his recent collaborators, Elton John and Leon Russell, who sent video messages that earned some laughs. A particular highlight was when John, who called Burnett "the best producer out there," ended his message by quipping, "I love you and let's run away together." Russell's was also hilarious, as he joked, "I'm not sure what this award is for."

The award, given by the Producers and Engineers Wing of the Academy, was to honor Burnett's body of work, and all joking aside, everyone agreed it was well-deserved. Iconic engineer Eddie Kramer, who's worked with the likes of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, said of Burnett, "I admire him. He's one of the finest producers in the business today. He deserves every accolade that thrown at him." Soft-spoken rocker Ray LaMontagne also came out because he "always wanted to meet [Burnett]. Jay Bellerose, who plays drums in the Pariah Dogs, he's always talking really highly of him and that's really it. I love the records that he makes."

On top of working with everyone from Robert Plant and Alison Krauss to John Mellencamp, Jakob Dylan and Willie Nelson, Burnett has also been involved in the music of such films as 'Cold Mountain,' 'Crazy Heart' and the surprise smash soundtrack to 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' The turnout reflected that range, with Lisa Marie Presley, actress Eliza Dushku and her boyfriend, former basketball player/actor Rick Fox, stopping by for free sushi, a chocolate tasting bar, and a beautiful performance by the Burnett-produced Secret Sisters.

During his impassioned speech, Burnett earned some laughs of his own, joking, "I wrote all this down, but I'm a little drunk now." Still, that didn't dilute his message in any way, as he blasted the industry for poor sound in the digital age and said of those only interested in digital sound, "You don't care about music and I don't want to make music for people who don't care about music."

What was clear is that after four decades, Burnett's passion for music is as strong as ever -- and that's why his peers admire him so.



Elton John: Billy Joel 'Hates Me' For Rehab Comments

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/10/elton-john-billy-joel-hates-me_n_821487.html

Elton John Billy Joel

Just as predicted, Billy Joel now hates Elton John.
In the last issue of Rolling Stone, John spoke about his close friend and tourmate Joel's struggles with addiction, criticizing him for not taking rehabilitation more seriously.
John said:

"He's going to hate me for this, but every time he goes to rehab they've been light. When I went to rehab, I had to clean the floors. He goes to rehab where they have TVs. I love you, Billy, and this is tough love. Billy, you have your demons and you're not going to get rid of them at rehab light. You've got to be serious. People adore you, they love you and respect you. You should be able to do something better than what you're doing now."
While Joel released a statement that both forgave and brushed aside John's sharp words, behind the scenes, they're certainly not making sweet music together.
John appeared on the Today Show on Thursday and spoke about Joel's unhappy reaction:
"He hates me at the moment. He sent me a message and he's not happy. I understand that. I'm sorry I had to say it, but I'm saying it because I really want Billy to live a long life and be very happy. That's all it came from. I understand why he's mad at me. I'm only trying to help. Maybe I should have done it privately, but I've been so frustrated over the years."

Elton John: Billy Joel 'Hates Me' For Rehab Comments

Elton John Billy Joel
First Posted: 02/10/11 02:03 PM Updated: 02/10/11 06:53 PM

Just as predicted, Billy Joel now hates Elton John.
In the last issue of Rolling Stone, John spoke about his close friend and tourmate Joel's struggles with addiction, criticizing him for not taking rehabilitation more seriously.
John said:

"He's going to hate me for this, but every time he goes to rehab they've been light. When I went to rehab, I had to clean the floors. He goes to rehab where they have TVs. I love you, Billy, and this is tough love. Billy, you have your demons and you're not going to get rid of them at rehab light. You've got to be serious. People adore you, they love you and respect you. You should be able to do something better than what you're doing now."
While Joel released a statement that both forgave and brushed aside John's sharp words, behind the scenes, they're certainly not making sweet music together.
John appeared on the Today Show on Thursday and spoke about Joel's unhappy reaction:
"He hates me at the moment. He sent me a message and he's not happy. I understand that. I'm sorry I had to say it, but I'm saying it because I really want Billy to live a long life and be very happy. That's all it came from. I understand why he's mad at me. I'm only trying to help. Maybe I should have done it privately, but I've been so frustrated over the years."
John added that Joel -- perhaps metaphorically -- wanted to punch him in the face.
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Just as predicted, Billy Joel now hates Elton John. In the last issue of Rolling Stone, John spoke about his close friend and tourmate Joel's struggles with addiction, criticizing him for not taking ...
Just as predicted, Billy Joel now hates Elton John. In the last issue of Rolling Stone, John spoke about his close friend and tourmate Joel's struggles with addiction, criticizing him for not taking ...
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Essential Elton

From his hit-making days of the early '70s to now, a look at the pop legend behind those crazy glasses


What: Elton John
Where: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre
When: Feb. 14 and 15, 8 p.m.
Tickets: Both shows sold out
Elton John always seemed an unlikely pop star.
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, John was a pudgy English duffer with a soon-to-be receding hairline. And yet, by the early 1970s, he had established himself as an international pop star. Over four decades, John has sold more than 200 million albums — and acquired a most natural-looking toupée.
Elton John was a relentless hit-making machine in the 1970s, teaming with lyricist Bernie Taupin to create Rocket Man, Honky Cat, Crocodile Rock, Daniel, Bennie and the Jets and many others. In concert he was an absolute hoot, reinventing himself as a baby-boomer's Liberace with bejewelled platform shoes, Louis XIV wigs, Vegas-style costumes and glasses that looked more like chandeliers than eye-wear.
Behind the glitz and glamour (and later, battles with alcohol and cocaine) John always relied on a not-so-secret weapon: His considerable talent. He plays gospel-inflected piano like a combination of Leon Russell and Ray Charles — with a touch of Jerry Lee Lewis tossed in. And even if John's post-'70s music often dipped deeply into the saccharine, no one can deny his canny gift for melody.
In Victoria, John reunites with his old bandmates Nigel Olsson on drums and guitarist Davey Johnson, as well as bassist Bob Birch, percussionist John Mahon and keyboardist Kim Bullard. His sold-out gigs here are touted as greatest-hits shows. Expect radio-cured favourites as well as samplings from The Union, John's new rock/soul album with Russell.
For those going to the concerts (and those who must content themselves with playing his greatest- hits CD), here's Sir Elton at a glance:
The hit list: Tunes regularly surfacing in recent EJ set lists include: Sixty Years On, Levon, I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself, Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer, Philadelphia Freedom and Candle in the Wind. There is no opening act, so expect a couple of hours from Sir Elton and company.
Where might Elton stay in Victoria? Given that he's one of the most commercially successful popsters in history (a U.K. newspaper estimated his worth at $265 million in 2009) this city's swankiest hotels are an obvious call. We suggest the Fairmont Empress, given John's penchant for grandiosity. He has been known to book under fanciful pseudonyms, including: Sir Colin Chihuahua, Sir Humphey Handbag and Sir Horace Pussy.
Elton is close pals with Elvis Costello and Diana Krall (the couple were married at John's mansion in England). So perhaps he'll visit their home in Nanoose.
Dressed to the max: Wherever Elton stays, there must be oodles of closet space. He's a clothes horse who packs a mammoth wardrobe. He once said: "I tend to take my home when I travel on the road." Perhaps he'll rent a house.
Bringing up baby: As any fan knows, 63-year-old John and his Canadian partner, David Furnish, 48, became parents in December. Their baby, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John, was born through a surrogate mother. The Mail on Sunday reported Zach possesses John's nose and Furnish's ears (both men contributed to the fertilization process). The baby reportedly resides at the couple's $2-million Los Angeles apartment, overseen by round-the-clock nannies.
Furnish says the child will call him "Papa" while Elton will be "Daddy."
The pop star's own Daddy-dom issues: John has said his own late father was an emotionally distant man who never attended his concerts. Dad wanted John to avoid showbiz, even though he had been a professional trumpeter himself. John's mum was his biggest supporter. In the 1997 documentary, Tantrums and Tiaras, John says: "I think I've always been a mummy's boy ... nobody has stood by me as much as my mother."
(The aptly titled Tantrums and Tiaras, directed by Furnish, also shows John leaving the south of France in a blind rage because a woman impertinently yelled "Yoo-hoo" while he was playing tennis. Elton's a serious tennis player — die-hard fans might even spy him on a local tennis court.)
Elton in the movies: Those who failed to score Victoria concert tickets can content themselves with a new Disney movie opening this week (see story at right). Gnomeo and Juliet is an animated flick about battling garden gnomes. The soundtrack — studded with classic songs — showcases John's hits. It includes a new version of Crocodile Rock with Victoria's Nelly Furtado.
John even appears briefly, albeit in animated form. "Suddenly there I am — Glam Gnome — the 'Gnomosexual' in the film," he joked at a recent news conference.
More on Elton in the movies: If garden gnome comedies don't do it for you, stay tuned for a future Elton John bio-pic. John says it won't be a straight-ahead take on his life, but rather, a surreal interpretation in the vein of such films as Moulin Rouge.
But tell us what you really think, EJ: John's famous for being a shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy. In the latest Rolling Stone he says piano-man and former tour-mate Billy Joel is "coasting" artistically and ought to enter rehab for alcoholism. Joel has countered with: "Elton is just being Elton."
John also recently took aim at pianist Jools Holland (formerly of Squeeze). He expressed f-word disgust during a radio interview upon learning the disciplined Holland plays his piano first thing every morning.
Still, John has been extraordinarily gracious to fellow pianist Leon Russell, single-handedly rejuvenating the keyboardist's sagging career by collaborating on the Grammy-
nominated album, The Union. Next month, John will induct Russell into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I'm Elton John's biggest fan ... but there are no tickets: Live Nation is officially calling these shows sell-outs. However, new tickets occasionally open up at the last minute for arena concerts, depending on the stage's configuration. Our best advice: Keep your eyes and ears open for day-of-show announcements.
achamberlain@timescolonist.com

February 10, 2011
Elton's drummer celebrates in Los Angeles
By the Editor/eltonjohn.com
Happy birthday to Nigel Olsson, who celebrates his birthday today at home in Los Angeles.
Nigel was the drummer with the very first Elton John Band, formed in 1970, and in 2009 he played his 1500th concert with Elton. All of us at eltonjohn.com wish Nigel many happy returns, and look forward to seeing him back on the road with Elton and the rest of the band on Monday, February 14 in Victoria, BC, Canada, for the start of the new tour.



Elton John tour expands plans for U.S. concerts this spring

http://www.ticketnews.com/news/Elton-John-tour-expands-plans-for-US-concerts-this-spring2119462

Wed, Feb 9th 2011 3:21 pm EST
By Allison Reitz
Elton John
Elton John has expanded his plans winter and spring tour plans for North America. The rock musician will hit arenas and conventions centers across the continent over nearly three months.
The 20-city trek launches early next week with a February 14-15 stand at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, BC. And thanks to the recent unveiling of more dates, John's concert calendar now stretches through a May 6 performance at the Entertainment Covention Center in Duluth, MN.
Along the way, performances are also booked for February 24-25 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in Kahului, HI; March 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY; March 25 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA; and April 9 at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, ID.
Public onsales are already underway in select markets. Remaining ticket sales open this coming Valentine's Day weekend — February 11 in Boise; February 12 in Bismarck, Billings, Rochester, Spokane and Wilkes-Barre; and February 14 in Duluth.
Ticket prices vary slightly depending on the market. According to Ticketmaster.com listings, most are priced in the ballpark of $27 up to $137, before applicable fees.
The winter and spring tour will feature a selection of the "Rocket Man's" greatest hits. John will be accompanied by current Elton John Band members Davey Johnstone (guitar), Bob Birch (bass), John Mahon (percussion), Nigel Olsson (drums), and Kim Bullard (keyboards).
John has toured extensively in recent years, including two high-profile co-headlining jaunts in North America. Most recently, he completed the Union Tour with Leon Russell in fall 2010. Earlier that year, he also wrapped the last dates of his Face 2 Face Tour with Billy Joel, which began in 2009.
Elton John itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)
February 14 - 15 Victoria, BC Save On Foods Memorial Centre
February 17 Eugene, OR Matthew Knight Arena
February 19 Reno, NV Reno Events Center
February 24 - 25 Kahului, HI Maui Arts & Cultural Center
March 11 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
March 12 Worcester, MA DCU Center
March 16 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Arena
March 18 Norfolk, VA Constant Convocation Center
March 20 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Arena
March 23 Pittsburgh, PA CONSOL Energy Center
March 25 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
March 26 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
March 27 University Park, PA Bryce Jordan Center
April 6 Bismarck, ND Bismarck Civic Center Arena
April 8 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena
April 9 Boise, ID Taco Bell Arena
April 10 Billings, MT Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark
April 22 Wilkes-Barre, PA Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
April 23 Rochester, NY Blue Cross Arena
May 6 Duluth, MN Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

Elton John Says Billy Joel Wants To Punch Him In The Face

http://images.starpulse.com/pictures/2007/11/10/thumbs130/Elton%20John-AAG-002000.jpg
February 10th, 2011 3:27pm EST
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/02/10/elton_john_says_billy_joel_wants_to_pu

Elton John has no regrets about airing his views about Billy Joel's sobriety issues in the press, even though his rock pal has made it clear he's far from happy with the Brit for speaking so openly.

The Rocket Man, who battled drug and alcohol addictions early on in his career, recently accused his on/off touring partner of "coasting" through rehab treatments and admitted he's upset by Joel's apparent reluctance to get tough with his alleged heavy drinking problems.

In the candid Rolling Stone magazine interview, Elton said, "I always say, 'Billy, can't you write another song?' It's either fear or laziness. It upsets me. Billy's a conundrum. We've had so many cancelled tours because of illnesses and various other things, alcoholism... I love you, Billy, and this is tough love. Billy, you have your demons and you're not going to get rid of them at rehab light. You've got to be serious."

Joel issued a statement responding to the claims, brushing off his pal's comments as Elton "just being Elton" - but the Brit admits the pair has yet to speak directly because the Uptown Girl hit-maker is "not happy" with him.

Opening up on Today on Thursday, Elton said, "He hates me at the moment and I understand why. He sent me a message and he's not happy and I understand that."

However, the 63 year old stands by his actions and insists he will take any comeback from Joel "on the chin" - because he's only trying to help. He continued, "I'm sorry I had to say it, but I'm saying it because I really want Billy to live a long life and be very happy. I understand why he's p**sed with me and I can take that on the chin. Years ago when people tried to tell me, I didn't talk to them for years. Now I look back and they were only trying to help."

"Maybe I should have done it privately, but I've been so frustrated over the years at some of the things. I love the guy... I wanna stress that. He may wanna punch my face in at the moment, but it's OK."
Elton John

--
Robson Vianna.

Elton John's Baby: Whose Sperm is It?

December 28, 2010 12:26 PM

Elton John's Baby: Whose Sperm is It?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20026691-10391704.html


Elton John and husband David Furnish in New York, 2010.
Sir Elton John and David Furnish in New York on October 18, 2010. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

(CBS) Elton John and husband David Furnish had a special Christmas gift this year - a beautiful baby boy named Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John.
"We are overwhelmed with happiness and joy at this very special moment. Zachary is healthy and doing really well, and we are very proud and happy parents," the two dads told US Magazine.
But the joyous news left some interesting medical questions: how did the two dads do it and whose sperm is it?
So far, the couple has said only that they used a surrogate mother. The rest of the details, they say, will remain private. So CBS News asked Dr. Masood Khatamee, a fertility specialist and clinical professor at New York University, to explain the options.
"The technology of reproductive medicine has approached the state where anything is possible," he says. "For those that can afford it."
The least expensive option, says Khatamee, is to make a contract with a surrogate mother then artificially inseminate her with sperm from either John or Furnish. But the legal issues can be tricky, if the mother wants to keep the child after giving birth.
A second option, he says, is to hire two women: one to provide the egg and another to provide the womb. In this scenario, an in-vitro fertilization specialist would merge sperm and egg in a lab, then implant several pre-embryos into the second woman's womb. It's an expensive process - up to $50,000, says Khatamee - and only succeeds about 40 percent of the time in the best of circumstances. The big advantage is legal, he says. The woman who births the child has a lesser claim to it, if she wants to keep it.
There is also a third intriguing option, he says. Fertilize an egg with sperm mixed from both John and Furnish. That way either one could be the father.
It's a practice usually reserved for men with fertility issues.
"Sometimes we offer the mixing of husband and donor sperm together," says Khatamee. "This way the man feels psychologically like he is part of the process."
Khatamee says he has been helping homosexuals become parents for at least 15 years, but notes "in the past five years we have seen a big increase in gay couples using this technology."
Elton-is-a-Rocket-gnome

Picture

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/film/3399697/Elton-is-a-Rocket-gnome.html

DAVID BOWIE may have released a song called Laughing Gnome back in the day, but ELTON JOHN has gone one better - and become one.

In our exclusive clip from Gnomeo And Juliet, the film he co-produced with partner DAVID FURNISH, a character played by STEPHEN MERCHANT morphs into the Rocket Man star.
Then he sings Your Song, voiced by Elton himself, while playing the piano.
Based on Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers Gnomeo, voiced by JAMES McAVOY, and Juliet, played by EMILY BLUNT, the tale is about gnomes who live in neighbouring gardens.



Gnomeo and Juliet Exclusive

MEET the Elton John gnome and hear him sing in a clip from the new animation


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/video/showbiz/film-biz/3399431/Gnomeo-and-Juliet-Exclusive.html


But they are caught up in a long running feud between the homeowners and faced with rogue lawnmowers and plastic flamingos, all threatening to keep them apart.
Elton contributed old and new songs to the soundtrack of the movie and travelled to London last weekend for the star-studded premiere.
But for the rocker and partner David, who recently became parents to baby ZACHARY, there's no place like gnome.
Gnomeo and Juliet is released on February 11.

Elton John takes a surprising turn with Gnomeo & Juliet

http://www.popmatters.com/images/news_art/e/enter_movie-gnomeo_2_mct.jpg


LOS ANGELES — The image of Elton John in bejeweled stacked shoes, garish glasses and colorful costumes will forever be a part of the 1970s. But these days, he presents a very different image — both professionally and personally.

“As I grow older, I’m much more content in my own skin,” says John, who is dressed in black and wearing a pair of John Lennon-style sunglasses. The 63-year-old music icon is doing interviews at the Four Seasons Hotel for his upcoming animated film “Gnomeo & Juliet.”

“I really don’t have any more ambitions other than I just want to work and do excellent stuff,” John says. “The element of surprise in this business is what makes us love it. One day, you’re sitting by the phone waiting to do something — or not doing anything — and then the next day you have the chance of a lifetime.

This is the third film produced by John and his partner of 17 years, David Furnish, through their Rocket Productions. The animated take on “Romeo and Juliet,” told through garden gnomes, was 11 years in the making. It finally hits theaters Friday.

Originally, the movie was to have an eclectic soundtrack. Disney executives suggested John write new songs to mix with tunes he created with Bernie Taupin (his songwriting partner for 44 years).

John initially balked. He had never created an entire film soundtrack. But he felt better about the process after turning over the music decisions to director Kelly Asbury and music producer James Newton Howard.

“Although it’s all our back catalog, and a couple of new songs, it doesn’t feel overbearing like it’s an Elton John movie. It feels like ‘Gnomeo & Juliet’ with some good music in it,” John says. “I’m glad it turned out that way.”

John learned a lot about making animated films while creating music for “The Lion King,” especially about collaboration and compromise. He has to leave his ego at the door because songs get cut if they don’t move along the story in a film or on stage.

John’s main role on the production team was to use the clout he’s earned through 38 gold records, six Grammy wins, a Tony and an Oscar. He would call each time a new boss took over at Disney to make sure they weren’t going to drop the project.

Being Elton John also helped land voice talents, including Lady Gaga, his duet partner for the original tune “Hello, Hello.” At first John says he had to “torture” Lady Gaga to get her to agree to sing the number, but he says the pair became friends when she performed at an AIDS benefit at his home.

“Because she’s one of my new best friends and I love her to death, it was nice that she was able to do it, and it worked out brilliantly,” John says.

The pair also performed together at the 2010 Grammy Awards. John says being in front of a live audience is more enjoyable than ever.

“The older I get, I think I’m singing better live. I really appreciate my performing so much better now that I am older. I don’t take it for granted anymore,” John says. “I relish and cherish it more than anything else because you never know what the performance is going to be.”

John says the best part about his life today is the balance he feels when he comes off the stage, which comes from Furnish. In December, the couple adopted a child, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John.

John never imagined he’d ever be a father, and he’s happy he changed his mind — other than having to deal with dirty diapers.

“Children are extremely important. They are the future of the world. As long as David and I can bring him up to be a loving and compassionate boy, I’ll be very happy. I love this,” John says. “Obviously, it’s been the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to me — after meeting David.

“It’s been very relaxing because this little soul you are feeding and bathing and telling bedtime stories to is a blank palette, a blank canvas. All he needs is love and nurturing. It’s the most wonderful feeling.”

Fatherhood is but the latest step in John’s uncharted life. He’s always gone with opportunities that come his way, such as writing the music for “Lion King.” The film gave John — who to that point had just been touring and making records — the opportunity to write for stage and film scores.

In the 1990s, John would have thought it madness to think he’d write a song about a warthog or make a movie about garden gnomes. He looks back and realizes those moments have helped change his life and make his career so joyous.

“It’s the things that come along that completely surprise you,” John says. “Things you never thought you would do.”

He’s got no idea where his life will go next, except that he won’t try ballet or sing at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. John dryly suggests the royal couple will choose someone like Barry Manilow, who’s “younger and better looking.”

The only thing certain in his future is making a movie about his life. A script has already been written.

“Obviously it’s not going to be your regular run-of-the-mill film,” he says. “My life has been kind of crazy.”




Elton John Looks Back

http://wncx.radio.com/2011/02/09/elton-john-looks-back/


108278305 Elton John Looks Back

Elton John has had a career that aspiring musicians dream about. He talks about his early outrageous stage antics, and why they are in his past.
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/7/2010/02/340x_custom_1266571809019_eltonprayer.jpg

James McAvoy for Elton John biopic?

http://www.bloginity.com/blog/2011/02/09/james-mcavoy-for-elton-john-biopic/

Article by Paul R. Nicholson published on February 9, 2011 2:03 am
James McAvoy for Elton John biopic? entertainment
James McAvoy has offered to play the role of Sir Elton John in a biopic about his life.
The singer-and-movie producer has previously revealed he would like Robert Downey Jr. to be one of three actors to play him in a movie about his eccentric life, and he has now added Scottish actor James as another possibility.
Asked who he would like to play him, Elton said: “Well James McAvoy could do it. He’s already offered.”
The pair worked together on animated family movie ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’, and 63-year-old Elton – who recently became a father for the first time with his partner David Furnish thanks to a surrogate mother – admits he would never have believed he would do such a project if you would have told him 20 years ago.
He told Collider.com: “In 1990, if you’d said, ‘You’re going to make a film about garden gnomes,’ I’d have said, ‘You’re crazy!’ That is the joyous thing about being a creative person. Things can come along that can completely surprised you, that you normally would never have thought of doing.”

Read more: James McAvoy for Elton John biopic?

Elton John Induct New Members of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Neil Young, Paul Simon and Elton John to Induct New Members of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rob Zombie and Bette Midler will also speak at ceremony

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-young-paul-simon-and-elton-john-to-induct-new-members-of-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-20110208


Leon Russell and Elton John perform at the Beacon Theatre on October 20, 2010 in New York City.
By Andy Greene
February 8, 2011 7:45 AM ET
An A-list group of rock stars will give the induction speeches for this year's crop of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced. Neil Young will induct his longtime friend Tom Waits, while Elton John will do the honors for his recent collaborator Leon Russell and Paul Simon will give the speech for his fellow Brill Building songwriter Neil Diamond. The annual induction ceremony will take place March 14th at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. It will be broadcast on Fuse.
Neil Diamond, Tom Waits and Alice Cooper Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Also on hand that evening will be Rob Zombie to induct his hero Alice Cooper, John Legend to induct his fellow piano player Dr. John and Bette Midler to induct her singing idol Darlene Love. Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman will be inducted by Doors drummer John Densmore, while Speciality Records founder Art Rupe will be inducted by Lloyd Price, who was discovered by Rupe in 1952.

Sir Elton John and David Furnish 'expected' prejudice at becoming parents


New parents Sir Elton John and David Furnish said they 'expected' prejudice when they decided to have a baby.
image: Elton John
The couple, who have been together for 17 years, became parents when their son Zachary was born via a surrogate on Christmas Day.
Speaking about the prejudices they face, John said to Sky News: "To be honest we expected it. There's only, really, one publication that's been like that and we knew that was going to happen.
"It's sad in this day and age that they're like that but we expected it because it's par for the course."
He added: "They don't seem to like David and me very much anyway - we knew this wasn't going to be everyone's cup of tea."


Elton John to Honor Leon Russell at Hall of Fame Gala

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/w0010245.html

February 09, 2011 03:37:36 GMT

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/news/w0010245.jpg will induct pal Leon Russell into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame when the pianist is honored among the Class of 2011 next month, March 11.

The Brit gave Russell's career a boost last year, when he recorded collaborative album "" with his hero and mentor - and now the "Tight Rope" singer has asked his friend to introduce him at the Hall of Fame gala in New York. Russell and John are also nominated for a Grammy Award for "The Union".

Meanwhile, will induct , and will induct at the ceremony on March 20. will be honored by , Dr. John by and Darlene Love by .


‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ director Kelly Asbury – San Francisco Chronicle

http://www.gadmobiles.com/google-news/gnomeo-and-juliet-director-kelly-asbury-san-francisco-chronicle.html

Kelly Asbury, executive of “Shrek 2″ as great as “Spirit: Stallion of a Cimarron,” contingency have told a story a hundred times by now, though reloads with copiousness of unrestrained anyway.
“My producer, Baker Bloodworth, said, ‘Look, there’s this movie here we wish we to direct. It’s “Romeo as great as Juliet,” ‘ as great as we went, ‘In animation?’ ‘We’re we do a modern-day revelation as great as we’re regulating grassed area gnomes. It’s called “Gnomeo as great as Juliet.” … We wish to operate classical as great as latest songs by Elton John as great as Bernie Taupin. Now, we can do anything we wish with this mixture.’ we said, ‘Garden gnomes, Shakespeare as great as Elton John. OK, that’s a plea for a storyteller, to lift which together.’ It took about 5 years, though we did it.”
The passionate Asbury’s spectacular pits red plaster-statue gnomes opposite blue in a story of unhappy lovers set in Stratford-upon-Avon. With voice bent together with James McAvoy as Gnomeo as great as Emily Blunt as Juliet, as great as Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Hulk Hogan, Dolly Parton as great as Ozzy Osbourne, a movie will during a really slightest be a answer to a little comical anything insubstantial questions. Asbury says of a sole hour they had to jot down Parton, “I said, ‘Dolly, we need a single large “Yee-ha” out of you, OK?’ as great as she gave me 10 of a many appropriate ‘Yee-has’ I’ve ever had in my life.”
Explaining which a strange book came to John’s studio, Rocket Pictures, a little years ago as great as a stone luminary had been closely concerned from a beginning, a executive says which a little of a wealth from John’s value chest of songs served as signposts for a story.
For instance, “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” finished for “good dueling music” – here a lawnmower race, not a swordfight – as great as “Rocket Man” served as Gnomeo’s thesis (John as great as Taupin additionally contributed dual latest songs, together with “Hello, Hello,” sung with Lady Gaga). But how, generally, to have a single of a many important of tragedies protected for kids?
“I satisfied we patently can’t finish it similar to a original,” says Asbury. “If you’re starting to kill your male lead … we have nonetheless to see it finished really successfully” in an charcterised movie for kids.
Asbury pronounced in a stage in which a statue of Shakespeare tells Gnomeo a strange story, “it was James McAvoy who (ad-libbed), ‘That’s a distressing ending! That’s rubbish!’ We said, ‘That’s starting in a movie!’ “
That confront with a indian Bard (voiced, naturally, by Patrick Stewart) isn’t a usually Shakespearean reference. Sharp-eyed fans should watch for any printed signs as great as cut up their ears for a little biggest hits from alternative plays, slipped in for kicks.
“My really a one preferred is, someway we got ‘Out, damn spot’ in there,” says Asbury with a laugh. “First we said, ‘Is it OK to contend damn?’ given it’s so perfect.
“A lot of people contend to me, ‘Is this great to do to a Shakespeare piece?’ And we think, ‘You know, “West Side Story” did it really cleverly, in a opposite way.’ But if we demeanour during ‘Bonnie as great as Clyde,’ ‘Titanic,’ ‘Avatar,’ ‘Grease,’ ‘Brokeback Mountain’ … they’re all ‘Romeo as great as Juliet’ stories. Star-crossed lovers who have a future which isn’t indispensably starting to work in their favor. That’s a concept story, that’s an classical story. So we’re creation ‘Romeo as great as Juliet’ with grassed area gnomes, as great as it’s loyal to a fool around as great as we consider it honors a play.”
But won’t purists be choking upon their saliva during a really notion? Decades after “West Side Story” as great as a horde of far-flung reinterpretations of a Bard given (see sidebar), will they spin up their noses or determine which a rose by any alternative homunculus smells as sweet?
“What, if not Shakespeare, is open for interpretation? Those kinds of things have been starting upon by history; we’re usually an additional understand of which classical material,” says a director.
He’s right, of course. Witness a David Garrick productions, pass to a resurgence of Shakespeare prolonged after his death, in which Romeo as great as Juliet survived. In fact, nothing alternative than Kenneth Branagh once said, when asked, “How distant is as well distant in receiving liberties with Shakespeare?’: “I do not know which there is as well far, actually. we consider there’s usually as well bad. If it’s bad, you’ve left as well far. The agility of Shakespeare is extraordinary.”
“Also,” says Asbury, “I consider Shakespeare, during his heart, was usually a approach all of us have been which have movies: He longed for to perform people. Now we’re we do a same thing as great as hopefully people will be entertained. That’s because we do what we do, period.” {sbox}
Gnomeo as great as Juliet (G) opens Friday during Bay Area theaters.
To see a trailer for “Gnomeo as great as Juliet,” go to www.gnomeoandjuliet.com.
This essay appeared upon page P – eighteen of a San Francisco Chronicle


James McAvoy sarà Elton John?

http://cinema.excite.it/james-mcavoy-sara-elton-john-N64516.html

10:56 mar 08 febbraio 2011
eltonDi solito per realizzare un film sulla vita di una star si aspetta che quest'ultima passi a miglior vita, ma non è il caso di Elton John, che vuole vedere in prima persona le sue gesta celebrate sul grande schermo: il cantante ha in cantiere un biopic su sè stesso e ha proposto il ruolo a James McAvoy.
Per chi non associasse il nome ad un volto, McAvoy è l'attore scozzese di 'Espiazione' e dell'action movie 'Wanted': 'James potrebbe interpretare la storia della mia vita e io gli ho già fatto un'offerta' ha annunciato Elton al Sunday Express. 'Vorrei realizzare un grande film che parli della mia esistenza. Oviamente non sarà una pellicola qualunque perché la mia vita è sempre stata folle ed è importante darne una visione surreale'.
L'autore di 'Rocket Man' è al lavoro con il partner e produttore David Furnish nella stesura del progetto: per la sceneggiatura hanno assoldato Lee Hall, autore del capolavoro british 'Billy Elliot'. La scelta dell'attore è ricaduta su McAvoy dopo che Elton John lo ha conosciuto durante la lavorazione del cartone animato 'Gnomeo e Giulietta', di cui cui rispettivamente il cantante curava la colonna sonora e James doppiava il protagonista.
McAvoy deve ancora dire la sua, preso da una serie di progetti: con un impegnativo passaggio di testimone dalle mani di Patrick Stewart, l'attore interpreterà il giovane professor Xavier in 'X-Men First Class'; in cantiere anche 'Wanted 2', stavolta senza Angelina Jolie. Ma si lascerà sfuggire l'occasione di indossare occhiali e giacca con lustrini intonando al piano 'Cocodrile Rock'?


Elton John: iPad 2 kommt im April!

http://www.apfelnews.eu/2011/02/08/elton-john-ipad-2-kommt-im-april/

Gerüchteküche - Dienstag, der 08.02.2011 um 18:38 Uhr
Hat der bekannte Sänger und Komponist Elton John in einem BBC-Interview womöglich beiläufig den Release Termin des Apple Tablet iPad 2 verraten?
Die Vermutung liegt jedenfalls sehr Nahe.
In dem besagten Interview erklärte der populäre Musiker so ganz am Rande, dass er im April sein Skype- iPad bekommen werde, mit dem er sein Gegenüber auch beim Telefonieren sehen kann.
Dies kann eigentlich nur bedeuten, dass Apple den Tablet-Nachfolger iPad 2 zu diesem Zeitpunkt wohl auf den Markt bringen wird, denn wie wir alle wissen, sind Videochats mit dem Apple Tablet-Computer der ersten Generation technisch nicht möglich.
Bereits seit einigen Monaten wird in der Gerüchteküche darüber spekuliert, dass Apple dem iPad 2 eine Kamera spendiert, welche auch für Videokonferenzen wie Facetime zur Verfügung stehen wird. Ein Special-Event zur Vorstellung des heiß begehrten Apple iPad 2 wird laut neuesten Gerüchtequellen für 13. Februar erwartet.
Demzufolge könnte ein Verkaufsstart im April durchaus in Apples Termingefüge passen. Allerdings stellen wir uns die Frage, woher ausgerechnet Sir Elton John nähere Details über Apples Pläne bezüglich des iPad 2 Launch haben sollte. Wie auch immer: Das besagte Video ist hier zu finden.
(Bildquelle: BBC)

Neil Young e Elton John farão discursos no Hall da Fama do Rock

Neil Young e Elton John farão discursos no Hall da Fama do Rock

http://g1.globo.com/pop-arte/noticia/2011/02/neil-young-e-elton-john-no-hall-farao-discursos-no-hall-da-fama-do-rock.html

Músicos são alguns dos que apresentarão os novos membros em cerimônia.
Alice Cooper, Tom Waits e Dr. John estão entre os homenageados.

http://s.glbimg.com/jo/g1/f/original/2010/05/23/elton.jpg

Neil Young, Elton John, Paul Simon, Rob Zombie, John Legend, Bette Midler, John Densmore e Lloyd Price são os astros escolhidos para fazer os discursos de introdução dos novos membros ao Hall da Fama do Rock este ano, informou o site da revista norte-americana "Rolling Stone".
A cerimônia acontece no dia 14 de março, no Waldorf-Astoria, em Nova York, e vai celebrar as boas-vindas a Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Darlene Love, Dr. John e Leon Russell, que receberá o prêmio de Excelência Musical.
De acordo com a "Rolling Stone", a ordem de apresentação vai ocorrer da seguinte forma: Tom Waits será apresentado por Neil Young; Leon Russell, por Elton John; Neil Diamond, por Paul Simon; Alice Cooper, por Rob Zombie; Dr. John, por John Legend; e Darlene Love, por Bette Midler.
Outros homenageados da noite serão os ex-executivos da indústria fonográfica Jac Holzman e Art Rupe, que receberão o prêmio Ahmet Ertegun. Holzman, fundador da Elektra Records, será introduzido pelo ex-baterista do The Doors, John Densmore; e Rupe, que fundou a Speciality Records, terá a apresentação a cargo de Lloyd Price — o cantor norte-americano foi descoberto por Rupe em 1952.
Os artistas podem ser incluídos no Hall da Fama do Rock and Roll a partir de 25 anos após o lançamento de seu primeiro single ou álbum






http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/utg_article/uncle_toms_gabbin258/

Elton John 1971
Elton’s 40th! His first concert here was 40 years ago, and he’s returning this month, Feb. 24 and 25, to the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s newly designed A&B Amphitheater. I remember that first Elton John concert very well … it was exciting, and two of his original musicians from 1971, Nigel Olsson on drums and Davey Johnstone on guitar, will join him for the anniversary. Maui, get ready to rock like a croc! …
A big congrats to Owen Wilson and girlfriend Jade Duell, who welcomed new son Robert Ford Wilson a few weeks ago … What better place to deliver a baby than here in Hawaii? Guess which proud uncle flew in for the happy occasion? Woody Harrelson, who also was seen enjoying a little barefooted outdoor soccer …

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