RadarOnline has published a disturbing report, which we hope is false. According to their informant, Elton is facing a health crisis, but is hiding the truth from fans. It was suggested that the singer could hardly walk, so opted for a golf cart at the world premiere of his Never Too Late documentary in Toronto, Canada.
A golf cart is hardly sinister. Elton made his entrance in such a vehicle when attending his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 1975.
And he made use of one when participating in Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday window unveiling a couple of years ago.
We do know Elton has been suffering from an eye infection, but happy to hear from Closer that he’s being spoiled rotten. A source says he is enjoying gourmet dinners and elaborate teas . . . not to mention ”massages and mani-pedis to keep his old bod shiny like a new toy.”
A new Elton John book came out last week, and has a lot of people talking. That’s largely because in Farewell Yellow Brick Road: Memories of My Life On Tour, Elton writes about doing live shows–although his touring days are behind him. While he couldn’t offer specifics,The Sun is certain about a residency in London, England.
If so, the Eventim Apollo would be a contender. In a 2020 interview with Rolling Stone, Elton expressed interest in Kate Bush‘s residency at the Hammersmith Apollo (as it was then called) six years earlier. She played for about four thousand people each night.
Whichever venue Elton chooses, he has said he’d like to focus on deep cuts. That would be more fun, wouldn’t it, than performing the same hits over and over? Elton, of course, has already appeared onstage. The musician’s first gig after his farewell tour was a concert for 2,600 fans in the Dominican Republic. Other events have included a Cisco Live conference in Las Vegas, and some private parties.
BroadwayWorld is in the mood to party, thanks to projects like Never Too Late and Tammy Faye (the latter starting previews on New York’s Broadway on 19 October). So they have posted a playlist of Elton’s outstanding show tunes. They range from The Lion King‘s Be Prepared to Billy Elliot‘s Shine.
”Don’t Shine A Light.” Sounds like the opposite of the line in Philadelphia Freedom, right?
Actually, it’s a song Elton and Jake Shears composed for Tammy Faye. This was after the musical’s UK run, but in time for its Big Apple debut.
In a Zoom interview with the Raleigh News & Observer, Jake shared what the experience of writing with Elton was like. He said that he’d start out with a rough draft of each number. Elton would then grab some of his lyrics to work on.
Then Jake had to go around the corner so his friend had some privacy while composing the music. After that, it was Jake’s turn to retreat, in order to ”refine” the words.
Elton’s older tunes have been making news, too.
Real Estate has shared a cover of Daniel.
As reported in Elton Blog 71, the band previously performed Daniel for a group of people named ‘Daniel.’
Another hit, Tiny Dancer, is being used in a trailer to promote a Keanu Reeves action/thriller, From The World of John Wicks: Ballerina, to be released next year. In 2022, Elton and Britney Spears ”overhauled” Tiny Dancer, to quote Variety. Named Hold Me Closer, this ”breezy dance-pop song” has just earned Gold and Platinum certifications from the RIAA.
You could say that Elton plans to hold some Irish rappers closer. He promised to give members of Kneecap a hug on tour. They appeared on the latest episode of Rocket Hour.
As audiophiles will know, Monday marks International Podcast Day. And we brought a big name to you to celebrate. Radio Elton John World‘s latest show features an a capella sample and lots more from Billy Trudel. He once was in a movie with Dustin Hoffman, but is better known for having been a member of Elton’s band.
