”Who needs a keyboard player anyway?” joked Elton.
He was talking to Greg Gonzalez, the founder of Cigarettes After Sex about the band touring as a threesome (without their keyboard player). Elton told his latest Rocket Hour guest that he’s a fan, and hopes to attend one of their performances.
This past Saturday also marked 39 years since the huge Live Aid benefit (13 July 1985). David Bailey was one of the photographers, and 13 of his images (all signed by the subjects, including Elton and George Michael) are to be sold on the 30th of July. Sworders Fine Art, in Essex, England, is hosting the Out of the Ordinary auction.
Now in previews at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in Devon, England, is The Devil Wears Prada. Lauren Weisberger, the author of the book, which inspired the movie (which then inspired the musical), recently stopped by.
Vanessa Williams, who is starring in The Devil Wears Prada musical, considers it ”pretty epic” to be singing anything written by Elton. The actress told Kelly Clarkson that she grew up listening on her little transistor radio to Bennie and the Jets and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. And she thinks songs from The Devil Wears Prada will get radio play since Elton ”knows what works,” when it comes to pop and musical theatre. Vanessa also provided a brief sample of a song her character, Miranda, sings.
”Legendary. Iconic. Electrifying.” That’s how Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, described Elton, who will be the headliner at the global tech Dreamforce conference in September.
Dreamforce 24:
Einstein Enterprises Start Here! pic.twitter.com/6N7E0Ao50t— Marc Benioff (@Benioff) July 9, 2024
The cheapest admission price for the event in San Francisco, California–good through the 16th of July–is $1,499. That’s the Early Bird package. While still a high amount, it’s for a worthwhile cause: to benefit the USCF Children’s Hospital.
More than one publication claims Elton is ”coming out of retirement” for the gig. That’s hardly the case as he has done other shows. It was just last month, for instance, that Elton performed at a birthday party for Anna Brown, wife of Motorola Solutions CEO Greg Brown.
As you’ll recall, Elton ruled out touring, not performing. There’s even been talk of a possible residency.
One thing’s for sure. Elton has learned ”not to sweat the small stuff,” as an insider told Closer. Since becoming a dad, the songwriter doesn’t blow up as often. His main focus is to lead his boys by example, according to the source.
Elton apparently has gotten a whole new attitude. Later this year, Disney is going to release A Whole New Sound, consisting of revamped Disney hits. So far, the company is only sharing one track: a punk version of The Lion King‘s Can You Feel The Love Tonight from Simple Plan.
In March 2000, the Showbiz Cheat Sheet printed their favourite Elton/Tim Rice compositions: a sampling from Aida as well as The Lion King‘s Be Prepared and Circle of Life. Missing was Can You Feel The Love Tonight, because it has already received ”enough recognition and has the awards to prove its greatness.”
Radio Elton John hasn’t won a trophy–not yet anyway–but continues to offer a variety of appealing guests, such as Ray Williams, Caleb Quaye, Gary Osborne, and Kiki Dee.
Another visitor was Ian Beck, who joined ej.w in celebrating Goodbye Yellow Brick Road‘s 50th anniversary last year. Ian spoke about creating the album cover and the artwork for Elton’s farewell tour.
More recently, he illustrated The Apple Orchard, which has been making the rounds at international film festivals. The classical music was composed by Lori Laitman, which is more Ian’s speed. The artist said as much to Elton John World in 2019, although he was impressed by the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tapes.
