VOTE Virgin Media Music Awards: best solo male

http://www.virginmedia.com/music/awards/best-solo-male.php

Cliff Richard
David Guetta
Tinchy Stryder
Tinie Tempah
Tom Jones
Justin Bieber
Dizzee Rascal
Plan B
Jay-Z
Taio Cruz
Elton John
Ne-Yo

Virgin Media Music Awards: best solo male

Cliff Richard 2.28%

 

David Guetta 1.29%

 

Tinchy Stryder 0.1%

 

Tinie Tempah 0.88%

 

Tom Jones 0.18%

 

Justin Bieber 48%

 

Dizzee Rascal 0.2%

 

Plan B 42.92%

 

Jay-Z 0.63%

 

Taio Cruz 1.1%

 

Elton John 1.01%

 

Ne-Yo 1.4%

 

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por Elton John, quarta, 12 de janeiro de 2011 às 15:38

Elton's management has  drawn attention  to yet another stupid article in the Daily Mail's online edition today -  reporting that Elton went to an LA studio yesterday, and suggesting that the financial pressure of employing all the extra staff for Zachary is causing Elton to have to produce a new album. It is also almost beyond belief that the paper continues to make a ludicrous link between the accounts for the period ending 31 March 2010 and Zachary's birth on Christmas Day.

Leaving aside the fact that two weeks paternity leave is entirely the norm in the UK, we can dispel the idea that Elton is working on a new album. Elton takes a close interest in all the artists signed to Rocket or its associated companies, and is currently helping the greatly talented Nick Littlemore (half of the very successful Australian group Pnau and also part of the Empire of the Sun project) with a new work for Cirque du Soleil.

Anyway, to say it once more, William A Bong Ltd hired nobody in the year ended 31 March 2010, or since then, to assist in the care of baby Zachary.  Neither did the company increase its staffing numbers at all, despite what the accounts say because of a procedural change.

It is truly extraordinary how sour some people can be about what is plainly a very happy event. The Editor must be a very unhappy person.

STATEMENT FROM WILLIAM A BONG LTD. - CORRECTION TO PRESS REPORTS

por Elton John, terça, 11 de janeiro de 2011 às 15:28

January 11, 2011

Set out below is the text of a statement supplied by Elton's company, W A Bong Ltd.

"Some reports about Elton are based upon stupidity of the reporter. Other reports are based upon prejudice. Sometimes, as with the latest article in the Daily Mail today, reports are based upon both stupidity and prejudice.
"The Daily Mail claims that Elton's staff went from 14 to 22 between 2008 and 2010 and implies that the increase is due to arrangements being made for the birth of Zachary. This claim has now been picked up and distorted by others on the internet.

"The inconvenient facts are:

A. The accounts of William A Bong for the period April 2008 to March 31, 2009, showed administrative staff of 13, and for the next year (April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010) the figure was 21. By the way, on any count this does not mean, except to a moron, that the staff has "doubled."

B. Zachary would hardly have been conceived during the financial year ended March 31, 2010, and it is again a suggestion of true absurdity that any increase in staff shown in those accounts was related in any way to the addition to Elton and David's family. Furthermore, the employment of purely personal staff such as housekeepers and nannies would constitute a fraud on the Revenue, as would be obvious to anybody but a financial illiterate such as the Daily Mail's reporter, Simon Cable.

C. Nobody talked to us about the figures, and if they had done so we would have pointed out that the wages and salaries had risen for administrative staff from £1,260,854 in 2008/9 to £1,276,023 in 2009/10, a rise of just over £15,000. Even if wages had been entirely frozen for the entire 13 original staff, it would surely defy logic to suggest that an additional 8 staff could be employed at a total cost of £15,000 for the year. This simple fact would have put any fair-minded reporter on enquiry. The truth is that the increase in numbers is a purely procedural step taken because some staff who previously were employed by other companies associated with Elton John (e.g.TwentyFirst Artists Ltd.) have been counted in the later accounts as William A Bong employees if they performed any duties at all for that company. In short there has been no actual increase in the staff of William A Bong Ltd.

D. If further evidence of the financial illiteracy of the reporter was required one need only look at the final paragraph of the article - the claim that Elton took "a £283,825 hit simply by turning his foreign income back into pounds." Under the administrative expenses section of the accounts the figure of £283,825 is shown in brackets - a commonplace accounting device to show not a cost but a profit! How incompetent can you get?

"The article is yet another piece of pathetic journalism by a newspaper with a continuing agenda against Elton."

Elton John vs the Daily Mail

The singer's management team lash out at the newpapers reports of Elton's staff increase.

http://www.musicrooms.net/showbiz/23912-elton-john-vs-the-daily-mail.html

Elton John and his management company have started an all-out war with the Daily Mail over articles about the staff taking care of his new son, Zachary.

On Tuesday, the Daily Mail printed an article stating that Elton and his partner David Furnish had increased their staff by more than 50% to take care of the baby and that didn't count nannies. The management company issued a statement the same day to counteract the reports.

"Some reports about Elton are based upon stupidity of the reporter. Other reports are based upon prejudice. Sometimes, as with the latest article in the Daily Mail today, reports are based upon both stupidity and prejudice.

"The article is yet another piece of pathetic journalism by a newspaper with a continuing agenda against Elton."

Today, the Mail continued with their allegations of a big jump in the couple's staff, restating much of what had been in the previous day's article while also saying that Elton was already back recording "hopefully featuring enough smash hits to keep little Zac in rusks."

Once again, within hours, the management team responded:

"Elton's management has drawn attention to yet another stupid article in the Daily Mail's online edition today - reporting that Elton went to an LA studio yesterday, and suggesting that the financial pressure of employing all the extra staff for Zachary is causing Elton to have to produce a new album. It is also almost beyond belief that the paper continues to make a ludicrous link between the accounts for the period ending 31 March 2010 and Zachary's birth on Christmas Day.

"It is truly extraordinary how sour some people can be about what is plainly a very happy event. The Editor must be a very unhappy person."

Elton John Announces New Tour Dates

Jan 11, 2011 - By Jeffrey Hyatt

New dad Elton John is lining up a new series of tour dates in the U.S., including two shows at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Kicking off the ‘Greatest Hits Live’ tour next month in Eugene, OR, Elton John and his band will perform number one hits and classic album tracks from throughout Elton’s mostly superb, five-decade career.
Check out tour dates below!

Joining Elton on the tour are Davey Johnstone on guitar, Bob Birch on bass, John Mahon on percussion, Nigel Olsson on drums, and Kim Bullard on keyboards.
The big hits are great, as well as the well-known tunes, but here’s hoping Elton drops in a few ‘Wow, I can’t believe he’s playing that!’ type songs on this brief, 9-date tour. I like “I’m Still Standing” just as much as the next person, but hearing “Mellow” or “Blues for Baby and Me” – two of many excellent examples – would really be a treat for longtime fans of the legendary artist.
Aside from tour news, Elton John and his idol Leon Russell recently sat down to record a Celebrity Podcast for iTunes. The duo released The Union a few months back.
The talented twosome reveal how the collaboration came about and how they came to work with Grammy-winning producer T-Bone Burnett.
Russell also shares stories about Bob Dylan and the Elton John song he adores but can’t sing; Elton divulges his favorite rap song of 2010 and the ’80s tune that brightens his spirits. The duo also offers insight into Lady GaGa, Little Richard, eight-inch high heels, and much more.
You can download the free Celebrity Podcast here:
Elton John Tour Dates:

• February 17th Eugene, OR – Matthew Knight Arena
• February 19th Reno, NV – Reno Event Center
• February 25th Kahului, HI – Maui Arts & Cultural Center
• March 11th Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
• March 12th Worcester, MA – DCU Center
• March 16th New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
• March 20th New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
• March 23rd Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center
• March 25th Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

Elton John featured in Anderson Cooper show on AIDS Friday

Hope Survives: 30 Years of AIDS will Air Friday, January 14th at 9pm ET

CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360° will dedicate a special hour to AIDS in America as we approach 30 years since the first diagnosis. The special will focus on the role stigma continues to play in the spread of HIV both here in the U.S. and around the world, and how through education and scaled up prevention there is hope for an HIV-free future generation. The show will also explore the latest medical breakthroughs and discoveries.

In addition to Anderson Cooper’s in-depth interview with Sir Elton John about his foundation’s work to end the disease, the show will also include interviews with Academy-award winning actress Mo’nique, Project Runway’s Mondo Guerra, Phill Wilson, Founder and Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute and co-founder of Greater Than AIDS, a new national movement developed with the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The special hour will also feature emotional clips from famous personalities on their personal “Deciding Moment” that changed how they think about the disease and inspired them to get involved, including Academy-Award winning actress Susan Sarandon, actress Sharon Stone, singer Barry Manilow, basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar, comedienne Margaret Cho, Author Maya Angelou and Jeanne White Ginder, the mother of the late Ryan White.

Sir Elton John and his Elton John AIDS Foundation have been leaders in the fight against AIDS for over 18 years, serving vulnerable at-risk populations without judgment, reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination, educating people about HIV/AIDS, and supporting science-based, culturally appropriate HIV prevention programming.

“I’m deeply grateful to CNN and Anderson Cooper for focusing a special hour of programming to bring attention to the continuing impact of HIV/AIDS, not only internationally, but also right here in the United States,” said Sir Elton John “We’ve all become way too complacent about a deadly epidemic that is only getting bigger, especially when we already have creative readily accessible prevention methods that we know to be highly effective at curtailing the spread of this disease right now.”

Established in the US in 1992 and in the UK in 1993 by Sir Elton John, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, and direct care and support services for people living with the disease. Together, both entities have raised $220 million for worthy programs in 55 countries around the globe since inception.

For more information, please visit www.ejaf.org.

No paternity leave for Elton John!

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/no-paternity-leave-for-elton-john_100486981.html
London, Jan 12 (IANS) It’s not even a month since his baby boy Zachary was born, but veteran singer Elton John is already back to work.The 63-year-old singer and his partner David Furnish welcomed their son, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John on Christmas Day via a surrogate mother. And John was back in the recording studio Tuesday, reports dailymail.co.uk.
He was pictured leaving the Los Angeles sound booths dressed casually in a track-suit and trainers and clutching a CD.
John has been taking immense care of the newborn and has reportedly hired a staff of 22, including chauffeurs and housekeepers, to take care of the baby. He also bought a high-tech chair and a separate flat for the child.


Sir Elton John has endangered son's welfare, claims Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali
http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=13768

Sir Elton John's fathering of a surrogate child by an American woman raises concerns, says the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester.

Elton John, David Furnish Photo: AP By Richard Eden

Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John is only 15 days old, but he has already provoked a pronouncement from one of the Church of England's most prominent prelates.

Sir Elton John's fathering of a son by an American surrogate mother with his civil partner, David Furnish, risks causing the child lasting psychological damage, claims the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester.

"I believe that surrogacy, inevitably, introduces a 'third' party to the legal parents," he tells Mandrake. "This will affect the welfare of the child, psychologically and in other ways."

The Rt Rev Nazir-Ali also draws attention to the age of Sir Elton, who turns 64 in March. "It is very important for a child's parents to be of an age that provides the child with a fair chance of being brought up by them without unnecessary disruption," he says.

"Although society must support single parents who, heroically, bring up children on their own, all the evidence shows that children are best brought up in the context of a stable marriage where they can relate to a mother and a father, so that they can develop healthy relationships with people of both genders."

END

Elton John Tour - Special Venue Presale Password

http://www.officialfanclub.net/fan-club-news-flash/545-elton-john-tour-special-venue-presale-passwrod

EXCLUSIVE PRESALE offer to purchase tickets to see Elton John BEFORE tickets go on sale to the public!
CONSOL Energy Center - Pittsburgh, PA
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 08:00 PM

For this event presale click HERE and use password "DANIEL" to purchase!
Presale begins Tuesday, Jan. 11th at 10:00am.
Presale ends Wednesday, Jan. 12th at 10:00pm.
Click HERE to find tickets for Elton's extensive North America tour on Ticketmaster
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One of the most successful live acts on the road today, Elton and his band put on the kind of concert you will never forget: the entire audience standing, dancing and singing along with much-loved classic songs such as "Your Song", "Daniel", "Rocket Man", "Bennie and the Jets" and many more. Don't miss this "Greatest Hits Live" concert, featuring number one chart hits and classic album tracks from throughout Elton's incredible five-decade career.  Elton John in 2010 joined legendary Leon Russell on 'The Union' album.  The duo garnered Grammy nomination in the Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals category for their collaborative music genius.

Elton John - "Sugar On Floor"

http://www.hippiesaredead.com/2011/01/elton-john-sugar-on-floor.html

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Elton John's 1975 album Rock Of The Westies was, for many, the final glimmer of hope before his career began fading from its early 70's greatness. The album not only featured a completely new band from his earlier efforts, but also a complete change in sound. The thoughtful balladry and on-the-sleeve melodics of the earlier records were replaced by a much harder rocking sound. While John's songwriting is still firmly in tact on the record, there's no question that most of his auditory aesthetic was completely replaced for the new endeavor.

However, at this same time John had signed a new act to his label imprint, Rocket Records: Kiki Dee. Notably, John wrote a duet that spawned a hit and made Dee a household name, with "Don't Go Breaking My Heart". Apparently enthused to propel Dee to Stardom, Elton produced her record, and continued to write material for the singer. One of those songs was "Sugar On The Floor".

Ostensibly a demo, the recording is pure early-70's Elton John: outstanding piano, minimalist instrumentation, and enough vocal melody to knock you over. What's more, it's loaded with that unique brand of earnestness and angst that John manages to leverage without sounding pitiful. With occasional vocal nods to Ray Charles, a killer slide guitar line, and falsetto that will break your heart, its one of the last recordings to really represent the things that brought Elton John to fame and fortune.

Oh, and Kiki Dee? Yes, she recorded her own version, but in our opinion it's not really worth your time. You're much better checking out the original, below.

Elton John To Host Celebrity Charity Ball In June

Read more: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/5630-elton-john-to-host-celebrity-charity-ball-in-june#ixzz1Ay2Qnbgz

January 11, 2011

In July 1999, Sir Elton John and David Furnish opened the doors of their Old Windsor home for the first White Tie & Tiara Ball, and the tradition will continue in 2011 on June 23..
Set amongst 37 acres of rolling English countryside next to Windsor castle, the White Tie & Tiara Ball is a spectacular evening, raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Since then, it has become an annual event hosted by Elton and David and one of the premier fundraising events of the UK.
A highlight of the year’s social calendar, the ball always attracts a wealth of celebrities. In previous year’s guests have included Diana Ross, Sharon Stone, Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta Jones, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Sean Connery, Guy Richie, Joss Stone, P. Diddy, Boris Becker, Joan Collins, Joan Rivers, Kevin Spacey, Kate Winslet, Elizabeth Hurley & Hugh Grant, Victoria & David Beckham, Elle Macpherson, Mick Jagger & Jerry Hall, Kylie Minogue, Pierce Brosnan, Anastacia, Spice Girls, Roger Federer, Dawn French & Lenny Henry, Ronan Keating, George Michael, Trudie Styler, Sir Tim Rice, Jasper Conran, Jane Seymour, Sir Bob Geldof, Sophie Dahl, Diana Krall, Lulu, Sir David Frost, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Daldry, Nigella Lawson, Richard E. Grant and the list goes on!
Beginning with a champagne reception, guests are able to walk around the grounds of Woodside at their leisure enjoying the elegant surroundings of the 18th Century Orangery, The White Scented Gardens, The Roman Terrace, The Italian Garden, The Tennis Courts and The Secret Garden. Each of the gardens is brought to life with a host of themed performers and musicians which have ranged from characters from A Midsummer Nights Dream in The Secret Garden, a thirteen piece orchestra and four opera singers in the classical Italian Garden to live zebras and giraffes, a pink stretch cadillac filled with 10 Elvis’s or Venice Beach at the 2008 Ball. The evening then continues with a lavish dinner featuring London’s top caterers and selections of premium wines.
A short auction follows featuring a number of exclusive and unique lots. In 2001 the auction, hosted by Kevin Spacey, saw a hilarious bidding war erupt between himself and Kate Winslet which resulted in Kate joining him on stage to fight over a unique diamond watch created by the event sponsors, Chopard. Other auction lots have included “You write the lyrics and Elton writes the song”, a private yoga lesson with Sting, a portrait session with photographer David LaChapelle, a football lesson with England Captain David Beckham, a sculpture by Antony Gormley, an appliqued blanket by Tracey Emin, a painting by Marc Quinn and a dinner with Elton & David at their London home.
The night culminates with much anticipated performances from some very special surprise guests and Sir Elton himself. Each year, magical and memorable moments are created included performances from Craig David and Ronan Keating, a duet by Elton and Sting of “Hey Big Spender” and an impromptu duet of Elton’s classic “Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting” with Anastacia and Elton. Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach received a standing ovation for their set one year before going on to invite Elton to join them on stage to perform “That’s What Friends Are For”. Recent guest performers have included Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Donna Summer, Barry Manilow, Take That, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Brian Wilson and a special appearance by a HIV-positive Choir from South Africa with Elton.
The evening then finishes with dancing into the early hours and breakfast.
Each year, the ball takes on a different theme but the dress code remains the same: White Tie & Tails for Gentlemen, and Tiaras and Ball Gowns for Ladies. Themes have been inspired by a variety of influences including The Wallace Collection which saw the marquee transformed into a French 18th Century Palace complete with a hand-painted marble floor and waiting staff dressed as footmen with powdered faces and white wigs. 2001 saw a broadly Italian theme, focusing on ‘The Glory of Venice’. St Marks Square was re-created indoors complete with a 24m long purpose-built canal (which guests had to cross over a stone bridge) running directly through the dinning room. In 2003, the ball took a 1930’s British theme, inspired by Robert Altman’s Oscar Winning Gosford Park. The reception room was transformed into a magnificent library using 6,000 leather-bound books, while the dining room was decorated with chandeliers, oil paintings, and burgundy & gold velvet drapes. More recent events have been themed around Imperial Russia, Imperial China, Africa, Mogul India, Las Vegas and last year, Californian Beach.
Since it began, the White Tie & Tiara Ball event alone has raised over £40 million to fund projects for those affected by HIV & AIDS in Europe, Africa, Asia and India, helping the Foundation to positively change the lives of millions of people in need.
An extraordinary result for an extraordinary event.

Read more: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/5630-elton-john-to-host-celebrity-charity-ball-in-june#ixzz1Ay2UjWfJ

Elton John's NZ concert date announced

Expand

Elton John. Photo / AP

The date for Elton John's one-off show in New Zealand has been announced.
John will perform at the new Dunedin Forsyth Barr Stadium, which replaced Carisbrook, on November 25 following the Rugby World Cup.
Booking information will be announced in the next week.
- NZPA

Broody Vanessa inspired by Elton John to have baby

Katie Davies Thursday, 13 January, 2011
11:47 AM

PRESENTER Vanessa Feltz has revealed that she may consider ways to have another baby or adopt a child after being inspired by Elton John and David Furnish.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 16: Vanessa Feltz attends the One New Change rooftop terrace opening party at One New Change shopping centre on November 16, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images for One New Change)

Ms Feltz told the Ham&High this week that she has started considering the possibility of expanding her family after the news came the celebrity couple had had a baby by surrogate.
The BBC London host said: “The Elton John story breathes a little life into the hope that it might be possible to have a baby late on but I also think there are lots and lots of children here who aren’t maybe babies but could do with a good home and some love.
“I don’t know if I’d be considered too old. I am 48 and Ben’s 38.”
She did, however, add that such a move would be a decision for the future.
Ms Feltz has just started a new daytime TV show with her partner Mr Ofoedu and on Monday will take over Sarah Kennedy’s 5am slot on Radio 2.
“Certainly it would be a strange time to do it – I’ve never been busier in my entire life,” she added. “It would be a fib to say I’ve got it all up and running -I am not doing anything actively about it at the moment.”
The presenter’s new projects will mean she could soon be dominating the airwaves.
The Radio 2 and BBC London shows as well as her stints occasionally filling in for Jeremy Vine on BBC London on top of her TV work could see her working days stretch from 3am to 10pm.
“My overriding emotion is pure terror at being exhausted,” she said. “But I think being terrified is quite a good thing at my age.
“I am going to be 49 this year – if I haven’t died of exhaustion by February then I think to be scared stiff is probably not bad.
“I am a morning person although this Radio 2 show takes it to the most absurd extremes and I will not pretend I have ever in my life woken at that time unless with a crying baby or on the way to a holiday.”
That is not to say she is not relishing the opportunity, which was one she “never thought for a second of turning down”.
Some critics have already warned the Celebrity Big Brother contestant will be too strident for the show.
Even though Ms Feltz’s favourite song Young at Heart by The Bluebells she will keep the volume down.
“I may be many things but I am not stupid,” she said. “I am certainly not going to bellow or shriek on the radio at five in the morning. I am perfectly aware of what my position is. My job is to welcome people gently to the day with some kind of enthusiasm, gentleness, delicacy and awareness of what time of day it is.”
Much of her happiness and enthusiasm for the new chapter in her life clearly stems from her relationship with Mr Ofoedu.
She smiles fondly when she mentions him and is clearly in a position she did not think possible when she was left by her first husband, with whom she lived in Hampstead Garden Suburb.
This may be why she has imported this successful new relationship into her working life.
From Monday the couple started co-presenting their own talk show on Channel 5.
Ms Feltz is aware of the risks to home harmony working together may cause but also knows a bickering couple will make good television for gossip hungry viewers.
“We are at very early stages but I am certainly making the classic mistake of taking work home,” she laughed. “Last night he was just thinking about being tender and romantic and I cut him off mid-way saying: ‘What about the show’, ‘Don’t you think we should stand more there, or talk more there’. I did think, ‘This is like me interviewing someone asking if you take work home – and I am actually doing it myself’.
“But we are certainly great arguers so it shouldn’t be too long before we kick off. I don’t think either of us is particularly shy or reticent.”
Speaking to the Ham&High, Ms Feltz also revealed that like presenters over on Radio 1 she won’t be picking the music for her show.
This week George Ergatoudis, head of music at Radio 1 since 2005, revealed to NME.com that programmers decide the music for daytime radio programmes and to let DJs choose would turn listeners off.
It seems it is no different over on Radio 2 as Ms Feltz won’t be responsible for all her show’s music either.
She added: “I am a big reggae fan and a big fan of 1950s music. They’re certainly not adverse to my suggesting tracks and playing some music that I wanted to bring to the show but it’s a very delicate balance and I wouldn’t start muscling in and changing it.”

Meet the godparents of Elton John's new baby

Model of a modern media couple: Sandy Brant, left, and Ingrid
Nick Curtis
12 Jan 2011

There was some surprise when Elton John and David Furnish chose lesbian New York couple Ingrid Sischy and Sandy Brant as the first godparents to their baby son Zachary. Who were these women? Why not someone from the couple's wide circle of famous British friends? Why not Elizabeth Hurley, Victoria Beckham or Sam Taylor-Wood, to whose children Elton is himself an official or a de facto godfather?

But though little known in the UK, Sischy and Brant are the very model of a modern media couple, a two-woman magazine writing-editing-publishing phenomenon whose credits include Andy Warhol's Interview magazine, Vanity Fair and Vogue. Like Elton they occupy a cultural nexus where art, fashion, celebrity and money intersect.
Like Elton and David, they are pioneers of the high-profile same-sex relationship. And they are old and trusted friends. When he toyed with the idea of writing an autobiography in 1997 Elton chose Sischy as his ghostwriter. Brant was one of only seven guests who witnessed Elton and David's civil partnership in Windsor Guildhall in 2005 (Hurley and Beckham were only invited to the 700-guest reception afterwards).
Despite being public figures, Sischy and Brant are private and discreet. Both women have remained tight-lipped about their role as Zachary's moral guardians. Schooled in the ways of the media, they also managed the extraordinary genesis of their own affair in the 1990s with a minimum of fuss, and, amazingly, even less coverage.
Ingrid Sischy was born in South Africa in 1952 but brought up in Edinburgh and educated at George Watson's Ladies College before her family relocated to New York when she was 15. Sandra “Sandy” Simms was born in 1955 and met and married her husband Peter Brant while attending the University of Colorado.
Moving to New York, Brant built up his family's paper business into a million-dollar, then a billion-dollar concern, and set about acquiring art, polo ponies and magazines. Sometimes dismissed as a “socialite”, Sandy bore Brant five children but was acknowledged by those inside the industry as the driving force behind Brant Publications from the mid-Eighties.
The company produced upscale, tasteful, low-circulation but opinion-forming publications Art in America and The Magazine Antiques. In 1989 it acquired Andy Warhol's Interview magazine, the house journal for the New York art/party crowd: Brant had been a backer of the magazine, and an acquaintance and collector of Warhol since his twenties.
Sischy, meanwhile, had been carving out a niche as a critic of art, fashion, photography and culture for such publications as the New Yorker and New York Times. As editor of the influential magazine, Art Forum, from 1979 she was one of the new writers, artists and photographers who rocked the New York art scene. Acquaintances included Julian Schnabel and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman and Robert Mapplethorpe (Sischy recalls hearing the first report of Aids with Mapplethorpe and was one of the first editors to commission in-depth articles about the syndrome).

She also knew Warhol, and was an “old family friend” of the Versaces. On Warhol's death in 1987 she took over as editor-in-chief of Interview, which she described as “a simple but brilliant invention. A magazine that was just tape recorder and camera”.
Though many predicted the publication's demise, Sischy built on Warhol's success and consolidated her own power base as a cultural mover and shaker. She became a contributing editor to Vanity Fair in 1997, curated the first Florence Fashion Biennale and published books about Donna Karan. She also wrote an editor's letter in Interview in the mid-Nineties in which she described Elton John as a figure “whose story goes way beyond the remarkable to the phenomenal”.
So, in a way, did the stories of Sischy and the Brants. Peter and Sandy divorced in 1995 and he promptly married the supermodel Stephanie Seymour — although whether his separation from Sandy predated the birth of the first of his three children with Seymour is unclear. It's also uncertain at what point Sandy and Ingrid began a relationship but they were firmly established as a couple after 1995.
All three managed to maintain a professional relationship until 2008, when Brant bought out his ex-wife's 50 per cent stake in Brant Publications, and both she and Sischy quit the magazines. “With Sandra Brant's decision to sell her interest in Brant Publications, it is only appropriate that I resign at this time,” Sischy said diplomatically. “Sandy and I have worked together as a team, and that has been a huge part of the fun of it.” Peter Brant's farewell to his editor, meanwhile, smacked of faint praise, prompting the headline on gawker.com: For Lezzy Sischy Fishy Sexy Ex-Y “Bye Bye Baby” Slightly Messy.
This was a rare example of prurience and gossip-mongering over the lesbian couple, though, and they seem to have repositioned themselves with ease in New York society. While Interview is thought to have lost its way, both women became international editors of Vanity Fair (Sischy's recent contributions include an interview with Penelope Cruz and an appreciation of Alexander McQueen) and then of Vogue's German and Russian titles.
Now they are godparents to a superstar's child, born via a surrogate, who stands to inherit a £175 million fortune. “That would be a private matter,” said Sischy of the adoption, doorstepped by journalists outside the Greenwich Village townhouse she shares with Sandy. Quite. Who says Elton hasn't chosen well?

Lp - K-TEL ELTON JOHN 18 SUPERSHOW HITS (1977)

Coletânea histórica da K-TEL lançada em julho de 1977, com 18 grandes hits do astro pop Elton John.

FAIXAS:
01 - Philadelphia Freedom
02 - Skyline Pigeon
03 - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
04 - The Bitch Is Back
05 - Salvation
06 - Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
07 - Daniel
08 - Bennie And The Jets
09 - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
10 - Island Girl
11 - Crocodile Rock
12 - Levon
13 - Honky Cat
14 - We All Fall In Love Sometimes
15 - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
16 - Someone Saved My Life Tonight
17 - Rocket Man
18 - Pinball Wizard