Sir Elton John greets the 'Rocket Men'

Sir Elton John greets the 'Rocket Men'

This video was specially recorded during Sir Elton John's Million Dollar Piano Show in Las Vegas, on 17 April 2012, 40 years to the day after his single Rocket Man was released around the world.

Continuing the celebration of ESA astronaut André Kuipers' music in space, British rock legend Sir Elton sent a special message to ESA, André and the crew of the ISS on the 40th anniversary of this classic song.

Sir Elton said, "When I was a boy Dan Dare was a comic book hero, and space travel just a romantic idea, not a reality. I was 14 years old when Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space; my songwriting partner Bernie Taupin was just 11. Bernie and I did not meet until 1967, and two years after we met, Neil Armstrong became the first man to step on to the moon.

"Our generation was smitten with the glory and excitement of space travel. 'Rocket Man' - and indeed 'Dan Dare' on the Rock of the Westies album - came from those boyhood dreams of travelling beyond the stars and looking back on Earth.

"Not long after the Rocket Man single was released, my band and I were invited to the NASA headquarters in Texas and shown around by Al Worden, Apollo 15 command module pilot. It was thrilling to find that real astronauts liked our song, Rocket Man, which was about an imaginary astronaut.

"Now, 40 years later, it's amazing to hear from the astronauts at the European Space Agency that they like the song and that it has been on the playlist on the International Space Station. I send my best wishes to ESA and all the crew, and my thanks for keeping those boyhood dreams alive."

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."

Rocket Man appeared on Elton John's album Honky Château, released also 40 years ago next week, on 19 May 1972.

Video copyright ESA/Rocket Music
Rocket Man written by E. John and B. Taupin
Music and concert excerpts, courtesy Rocket Music
Video produced by ESA/J. Makinen

Elton John dedicates 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' to Adam Yauch

Elton John dedicates 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' to Adam Yauch at a recent concert in Las Vegas.

Elton John kept the memory of Adam Yauch alive at a concert recently. Playing a piano, the English singer paid homage to the late Beastie Boys member by dedicating his performance of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to him.

Elton delievered the tribute when performing at the Million Dollar Piano concert which took place at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. In his dedication, he remembered seeing the Beastie Boys on stage at the Greek Theater, Las Vegas in 2007.

"I had the time of my life. They were incredible," he recalled before adding, "It's so sad to leave behind the wife and the daughter. And to his family, we send our love and condolences."

In addition to saluting MCA, Elton mourned the loss of Dick Clark and The Band's Levon Helm.

Elton John's London music fest called off
http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=724549

April 29, 2012, 6:50 AM EST
WENN
A music festival set to be headlined by Elton John in London this summer has been called off.
Find: Who is rumored to play Elton John in a biopic?
Pride House was to be held on Clapham Common in the British capital during the Olympics to raise awareness of homophobia in sports. However, the event has been axed after a number of sponsors withdrew support, and organizers at PAPA Projects admitted the idea was "no longer commercially viable."
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A spokesperson for PAPA Projects says, "While the Olympics presents many great opportunities for event organizers, there have been numerous complexities surrounding the availability of talent, sponsors and resources."
Elton John and his partner David Furnish are believed to be pushing to help find another venue for the event.


Elton John’s décor

http://bibliolore.org/2012/04/28/elton-johns-decor/



When Elton John returned to London in 1991 after six weeks in an addiction recovery center it was essential to establish a new home that was free of associations with his former compulsive behavior. He rented Queensdale Place, fell in love with it, and bought and completely redecorated it with Biedermeier furniture and Regency and Neoclassical artwork.

Over the years Sir Elton’s passion turned to collecting photography and contemporary art, and in 2003 he decided that Queensdale would be the perfect context for exhibiting and enjoying his new collection. The auction of his former collection is documented in Elton John and his London lifestyle: London, Tuesday, 30 September 2003 (London: Sotheby’s, 2003).