This Day In Music History 

http://www.avclub.com/philadelphia/articles/elton-johns-philadelphia-freedom,54482/

Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom”

by Emily Guendelsberger April 13, 2011

Yesterday in 1975, Elton John’s song “Philadelphia Freedom” hit #1—the song’s in part a tribute to Philadelphia soul; we’ll be going into that with a little more depth in the next post in our series on Philly music history. But for now, if you don’t know what that means, the wiki will have to hold you over.


The song was written for the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team; it’s in the World TeamTennis, a co-ed team-play league co-founded (or so says the Freedoms’ website) by John’s friend Billie Jean King in 1974, right after she won the Battle Of The Sexes against Bobby Riggs. At the time, they played at the Spectrum; for the past several years, they’ve been bouncing around various locations in the suburbs.
King was the Freedoms’ star player at the time, and she now owns and coaches the team, which counts Andy Roddick as a member. In fact, Sir Elton actually has played on a team with Roddick for charity a few times, which is pretty adorable, visually:

In the song, released as a single, you can hear the take on Gamble & Huff’s signature big orchestration—strings, flutes, etc. The tennis theme thankfully doesn’t extend beyond the title reference. John instead goes on about beating hearts, shining lights, waving flags, and, of course, the vague notion of freedom—a canny move given that the bicentennial was coming up, and if Mugatu was around then, he would have declared freedom “so hot right now.”
Last, because we get such a kick out of the cover art—but it got chopped off in the crop we used up top—here’s the full thing, where Elton’s giant grin can be seen in context with how he’s proprietorially resting his hands on the two guys’s heads, one of whom seems really displeased about the situation.

DOLLY PARTON WANTS ELTON DUET AT ROYAL WEDDING

DOLLY PARTON WANTS ELTON DUET AT ROYAL WEDDING
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/gossip/view/186049/Parton-wants-Elton-duet-at-royal-wedding/

13th April 2011

Country icon DOLLY PARTON is keen to sing a duet with SIR ELTON JOHN at the royal wedding later this month (Apr11).

The singer has suggested her hit track I Will Always Love You would be a "great" song for Prince William and Kate Middleton's first dance after they walk down the aisle on 29 April (11).
And Parton is adamant she would be the perfect wedding singer for the couple's big day.
She tells Kate Garraway, "Wouldn't that be great (having I Will Always Love You as the first song)? Nobody's asked me about that but I might offer it. (I would even sing) Whitney Houston, I would do anything. Elton John could play for me (on the piano) and I could sing the song, he could sing a duet with me. I'm sure he was probably invited, I wasn't invited."

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Billy Elliot musical welcomes 26th child star

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/31877/billy-elliot-musical-welcomes-26th-child-star

Published Wednesday 13 April 2011 at 14:34 by Adam Baker

A 12-year-old from Southport has become the 26th young performer to play the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical.

Ryan Collison joins the show today at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Launched in 2005, Billy Elliot features music by Elton John, lyrics by Lee Hall, and is directed by Stephen Daldry with choreography by Peter Darling.
Collison said: “Before auditioning for Billy I had done very little classical dance training but I had done gymnastics for two years and taught myself street dance in my bedroom. I was given the film of Billy Elliot on DVD one Christmas and I wanted to be just like Billy so I started classical dance classes. I auditioned for Billy after just eight lessons and after making it through further auditions I found out that I had got the part. It was the best day of my life and now I am living my dream.”
As well as the current London production, Billy Elliot is currently performing at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway, on tour across North America and at the Canon Theatre, Toronto. Productions are also in the works for Japan, Germany and the Netherlands.

Sir Elton John Returns to Denver!

http://www.examiner.com/concert-photography-in-denver/sir-elton-john-returns-to-denver-review

• April 13th, 2011 12:26 am MT

Kate Martin

• Denver Concert Photography Examiner
• 
  

  Sir Elton John

  Photo: Kate Martin

Sir Elton John, one of the most popular solo artist in the world, played at the Wells Fargo Theater on Tuesday April 12th, 2011 to benefit the Mathew Shepard Foundation, founded by Shepard's parents following his 1998 cold murder in Wyoming. According to the press release, this foundation's goal is to "replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance".
John's concert in Denver brought in many people to support the charity and the gay / lesbian community. He walked out to an ovation by his fans and preceded to play his tunes, including Your Song, which made almost everyone stand up and sing along. He sounded great and the crowd that paid quite a bit for their seats to benefit the charity got their moneys worth.

Win Tickets to Elton John

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/contests/elton-john/

Dolly Parton - Dolly Parton Wants Elton Duet At Royal Wedding

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/dolly-parton-wants-elton-duet-at-royal-wedding_1212337
13 April 2011 12:06

Caption: DOLLY PARTON (Picture) outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre for the 'Late Show With David Letterman' New York City, USA ....

Country icon Dolly Parton is keen to sing a duet with Sir Elton John at Britain's royal wedding later this month (Apr11).
The singer has suggested her hit track I Will Always Love You would be a "great" song for Prince William and Kate Middleton's first dance after they walk down the aisle on 29 April (11).
And Parton is adamant she would be the perfect wedding singer for the couple's big day.
She tells U.K. TV host Kate Garraway, "Wouldn't that be great (having I Will Always Love You as the first song)? Nobody's asked me about that but I might offer it. (I would even sing) Whitney Houston, I would do anything. Elton John could play for me (on the piano) and I could sing the song, he could sing a duet with me. I'm sure he was probably invited, I wasn't invited."

Elton John pourrait être à l'affiche du Festival d'été de Québec

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iTDObrTFbkb3u-IXNItT7KWurVXw?docId=6551170

De La Presse Canadienne – Il y a 2 heures

QUÉBEC — Elton John pourrait se produire à Québec en juillet.
Le Festival d'été de Québec a approché son agent, mais une porte-parole a dit mercredi ne pas pouvoir confirmer sa venue.
Le Festival espère pouvoir faire une annonce sous peu, a indiqué la directrice des communications Luci Tremblay.
L'auteur-compositeur-interprète et pianiste de 64 ans se prépare actuellement pour une tournée estivale en Europe.
Le «Rocket Man», lauréat de plusieurs Grammy, continue d'attirer les foules après près de cinquante ans de carrière.
L'année dernière, Elton John a fait des tournées avec ses musiciens et aux côtés de Billy Joel, et puis Ray Cooper. Il a enregistré un nouvel album studio, «The Union».
Parmi les autres artistes dont la présence a été confirmée au Festival d'été de Québec figurent le groupe américain de blues-rock The Black Keys, Thomas Fersen, Cage The Elephant et Girl Talk.

Elton John – Your Song Acoustic Guitar lesson

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Posted on April 13, 2011 by admin

www.TotallyGuitars.com Learn to play Elton John – Your SongGuitar lesson – sample guitar lesson. Your Song – Elton John broke into the big time with this release from his 1970 self-titled album. Although originally done on piano (surprise, surprise) it makes a great fingerpicking song. Like most of Elton’s songs, the lyrics to Your Song were written by long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin. Vote to have this made into a lesson at http Visit the site for free guitar lessons, TARGET program, forum, community, and contests. www.TotallyGuitars.com – Complete Free Lessons – Community – Chat Room – Forum – Your Own Blog – Recommend A Lesson -Membership is free http join now!