Love Song: New Chartbuster And Tributes to Elton, Dionne, And Watford
A new CNN Films documentary featuring commentary from the likes of Elton, Clive Davis, Bill Clinton, Berry Gordy, Snoop Dogg, Barry Gibb, Gladys Knight, and Kenneth Cole, is to premiere on 1 January 2023, at 9 p.m. ET and PT in the United States.
Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over blends archival footage with personal photographs and newsreels of the performer’s career.
More details, including her concerns as an activist, are at ring in the new year.
Another movie which Elton contributed to is George Michael Freedom Uncut. It was released in June, and saw the luminary talking about the relevance of his colleague’s Freedom! ’90 video. He called it ”genius” and ”a revolutionary thing.”
A couple of months later, the Rocket Man shared his feelings about a high-profile collaborator–Britney Spears— with the Guardian.
”It’s hard when you’re young, Britney was broken. I was broken when I got sober. I was in a terrible place. Now, I’ve got the experience to be able to advise people and help them because I don’t want to see any artists in a dark place,” Elton said.
He added that Spears had ”been away so long – there’s a lot of fear there, because she’s been betrayed so many times and hasn’t really been in the public eye officially for so long.” So he has made a point of reassuring Britney that ”everything’s gonna be all right.”
Elton then addressed the conservatorship she was under.. He stated: ”What happened to her shouldn’t have happened to anybody.”
To hear Hold Me Closer, which hit #1 on the U.S. and UK iTunes less than 24 hours since its release, click here. What’s more, TMZ reports that a music video is on the way.
Britney was delighted to hear how successful the song was, right out of the gate. In a mock British accent, she went online and said: ”Hello, Sir Elton John, we are like #1 in 40 countries.” She proposed they have ”tea time” and invite Queen Elizabeth, reported Fox News.
Britney also thanked Elton for the opportunity to be a ”background singer on such a brilliant song.” The 75-year-old responded: ”More than a background singer, darling.”
It was David Furnish, the Elton’s husband, who came up with the idea, according to team effort. Billboard writers obviously approve, as it’s #8 on their list of all-time favourite EJ collaborations. Other artists who are cited include Kanye West, Axl Rose, Eric Clapton, Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin, and Kiki Dee. In fact, Elton and Kiki’s Don’t Go Breaking My Heart is in the top spot. See if you agree with Billboard’s choices.
EJW readers know that the vocalist has held Vicarage Road close to his heart for many years. On August 30, they are to hold their centenary celebrations. There’s now a new book, 100 Years at Vicarage Road, penned by Geoff Wicken.
This includes a foreword from Sir Elton, Honorary Life President.
Copies are available at The Hornets Shop.
The pop maestro has performed several times to raise funds for the football club. The first time was in 1974, when he was joined by Rod Stewart.
Incidentally, Rod has been thinking about his old pal lately. He channelled Elton on his Instagram page by playing air piano and donning a pair of round glasses with sequins. He also made a face which really bears no resemblance to the music legend. .
In case there was any doubt as to the person the 77-year-old was impersonating, he wrote:
”Still love you, Elt. Rod xxx.”
• And while Rod may not have been very–shall we say, Eltonish–that’s not the case with Andrew Schwarz. He is actually known as ”EltonJohnish,” and is based in New Jersey. His solo shows are modeled after the singer’s solo outings. He told EJW: ”Not only do I play with his live piano sound (a combination of the same modules he uses in his live music rack) and sing, but I use vocal effects and background strings and pad sounds just as he did in his solo shows. I pride myself in trying to simulate the piano sound and style. I don’t sound exactly like him but on some notes and songs, I sound similar.” But Andrew, who is a songwriter himself, says his voice is more classically trained.
Unlike many other tribute acts, Andrew doesn’t try to look like the performer.
It’s just glasses and a ”fun solid-coloured jacket,” since he tries to be himself, albeit with ”an Elton touch and to honour his music. thus the name of the show.”
To check him out, go here: tribute.
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