Tag: Elton John (1-10 of 28)

Feb 26 2013 10:58 AM ET

Elton John slapped Lumineers drummer at the Grammys, say Lumineers

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Elton John has a long history of dueling with his enemies, but luckily for the Lumineers, not every slap is a challenge.

In an interview with XFM London, the Denver folk band’s frontman Wesley Schultz revealed that Sir Elton slapped Lumineers drummer and noted suspenders enthusiast Jeremiah Fraites at the Grammy awards this month.

But don’t worry, it wasn’t the beginning of an epic new feud à la Madonna. “We were nominated for two awards but didn’t win,” Schultz explained in the interview. “As we were walking in, Elton John stopped us and said he has been listening to our album and was a fan. Our drummer said, ‘There’s no f—ing way you are a fan!’ Elton just slapped him in the face and put him straight. It was a special moment.”

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Jan 2 2013 10:58 AM ET

Jon Stewart will host Bruce Springsteen tribute featuring Elton John, Mumford & Sons, Faith Hill, more

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You know who’s great? Bruce Springsteen. You know who thinks so? Just about everybody — including MusiCares.

The charity, which helps out musicians with financial and medical assistance during times of need, has named the Boss their 2013 Person of the Year, and on Friday, February 8 (just two days before the Grammy Awards), Jon Stewart will host a tribute gala to Springsteen, his music, and his extensive charity work.

The lineup is an eclectic mix of Springsteen’s peers, collaborators, famous fans, and spiritual protégés, including Elton John, Mumford & Sons, Alabama Shakes, Faith Hill, John Legend, Eddie Vedder, Neil Young, Sting, Jim James, Mavis Staples, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Ben Harper, Tom Morello, Tim McGraw, Patti Smith, and My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. The event, which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, is already sold out.

Springsteen is well deserving of the award, as he has committed himself to giving back to a number of worthy groups over the course of his long career. His most recent work came as part of outreach in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which badly battered the coastline of Springsteen’s home state of New Jersey.

Stewart, famously, is a longtime Springsteen fan and fellow New Jersey denizen; it’s not even the first time Stewart has formally paid tribute to Springsteen, as he spoke on Bruce’s behalf at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009, and interviewed him for a lengthy Rolling Stone cover story last March. READ FULL STORY »

Sep 18 2012 10:52 AM ET

Madonna zings Lady Gaga: 'Imitation is the highest form of flattery'

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Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

“I’m going to dedicate this next song … to Lady Gaga.”

Uh-oh! The last time Madonna began a sentence like that onstage, she ended up taking a catty swipe at nemesis Elton John. And as it happens, she went on to give Gaga — a noted Elton John partisan — the same treatment when dedicating the song “Masterpiece” to her at an Atlantic City concert last Saturday.

“You wanna know something? I love her,” the Material Girl said of Mother Monster. “I love her. I do love her.” But wait for it… “Imitation is the highest form of flattery.” Zing!

But Madge followed up her backhanded compliment by prophesying that “one day, very soon, we’re going to be on stage together. Just you wait. You think I’m kidding? I love Lady Gaga.”

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Aug 23 2012 07:34 PM ET

Madonna forgives Elton John, sort of

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“I’d like to dedicate this next song to a Mr. Elton John.”

Normally, that would be a pleasant thing to hear someone say. But when it’s coming from Madonna’s mouth? Not so much!

Madge reserved some time during a recent concert in France to address her ongoing feud with Sir Elton. (If you’re behind, this account of John comparing Madonna to a “fairground stripper” should bring you up to speed!) At first, the video below makes it look like she’s ready to make amends.

“I know he’s a big fan of it,” Madonna says of the song she’s dedicating to John. “And I know he’s a big fan of mine. And you know? I forgive him. Gotta start somewhere.”

Her tone was terse, but all the right words were all there – so is it for real? Probably not! The song she ended up playing for Elton happened to be “Masterpiece” — the very song that triumphed over Elton John’s “Hello Hello” at this year’s Golden Globe Awards. In another word: burn.

Check out Madge’s backhanded gesture in the video below: READ FULL STORY »

Aug 6 2012 12:24 PM ET

Sir Elton John on Madonna: 'She looks like a f-king fairground stripper'

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As sure as water is wet and as sure as there will always be an England, Elton John will always hate Madonna.

The two stars’ longtime feud was revived last night when John appeared in an interview with Australia’s Channel 7, where he proceeded to lob a bevy of nasty insults at his rival.

“She’s such a nightmare” John said of Madge. “Her career is over, I can tell you that. Her tour has been a disaster and it couldn’t happen to a bigger c—.”

But you better believe Sir Elton wasn’t done there: “And she looks like a f—ing fairground stripper.” Hey-O! Music Mix has never been to a fairground that had strippers, but we’ll go ahead and assume that that was an insult.

If you’re wondering why John’s letting loose on Madonna, he did drop a big hint: “She’s been so horrible to Gaga,” he said, referring of course to Lady Gaga — his son Zachary’s godmother.

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Jul 17 2012 05:07 PM ET

Elton John says he 'wasted' too much of his life on drugs

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Not only did Elton John’s new book Love Is the Cure: On Life, Loss and the End of AIDS hit shelves today, but the Sir himself also hit the Today show this morning.

In the first half of his two-part interview with Matt Lauer (the other portion will air on tomorrow’s program), the 65-year-old musician admitted that he’s made a number of regrettable decisions in his time, many of which took place during the AIDS epidemic.

“I wasted such a big part of my life, when this epidemic was beginning to happen in the early 1980s and I was a drug addict and self-absorbed,” John told Lauer from his home. “You know, I was having people die right, left, and center around me — friends. And yet I didn’t stop the life that I had, which is the terrible thing about addiction. It’s that bad of a disease.”

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Jul 4 2012 03:30 PM ET

Celebrate 4th of July with Katy Perry, Will Smith, and more in our Spotify holiday playlist

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Even though it awkwardly sits in the middle of the week this year, the Fourth of July remains the most ideal holiday: There’s no psychological trauma surrounding giving the right gift, you usually don’t have to travel to fully enjoy it, and there’s no somber occasion that makes you feel guilty about getting a day off from work. It’s simply an excuse to go outside, put meat on fire, and watch colorful things explode.

Of course, it’s also important to crank up some music as loud as humanly possible in order to fully enjoy the Fourth of July. That’s why EW has put together a special Spotify playlist for Independence Day, which features 29 killer songs sure to upgrade your backyard barbecue. There are odes to the summer months (Will Smith’s “Summertime,” Mungo Jerry’s “In the Summertime,” Flaming Lips “It’s Summertime”), hat tips to the home of the brave (Neil Young’s “Keep On Rockin’ in the Free World,” Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom), and some actual songs called “4th of July” by the likes of Aimee Mann, X, and Bruce Springsteen.

You’ll also find a handful of tracks about partying, one or two shout-outs to the backyard, and Sweet’s “Fox On the Run” (because you can’t have a party without “Fox On the Run”).

Check out the playlist below, and please remember to handle your fireworks carefully. Happy Fourth! READ FULL STORY »

May 30 2012 11:09 AM ET

Elton John 'better' after health scare, excited to play for the Queen

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Elton John is feeling much better, just days after he had to be hospitalized with a “serious respiratory infection.” “It’s nothing more than a chest infection — you rest and it’s better,” his spokesperson said, according to the BBC. “Everything that’s planned is still happening.”

What’s happening is a lot. John’s European tour kicks off Friday, and he also will perform at Buckingham Palace on Monday to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. According to the singer’s website, he’s resting at his home in England and is very excited about Monday’s event.

Read more:
Elton John on the late Levon Helm
Elton John to publish memoir, ‘Love is the Cure’

May 24 2012 12:43 PM ET

Elton John falls ill, cancels Las Vegas shows

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Image Credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Elton John canceled three weekend Las Vegas performances after being hospitalized with a serious respiratory infection. The singer originally developed the illness while performing at Caesar’s Palace last Sunday, but his condition worsened, forcing him to check in to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles yesterday morning for tests. Doctors recommended he rest and not perform for seven days, forcing him to cancel tonight’s Million Dollar Piano show, as well as Saturday and Sunday’s planned performances.

“It feels strange not to be able to perform these Million Dollar Piano concerts at The Colosseum,” said John, in a statement. “I love performing this show and I will be thrilled when we return to The Colosseum in October to complete the 11 concerts soon to be scheduled. All I can say to the fans is sorry I can’t be with you. I hope to see you soon at this wonderful theatre at Caesars Palace.”

Read more:
Elton John on the late Levon Helm
Elton John to publish memoir, ‘Love is the Cure’

Apr 19 2012 09:36 PM ET

Elton John on Levon Helm: 'A part of my life that was magical'

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Elton John was among the many musicians influenced by Levon Helm and The Band. That impact is memorialized in the song “Levon,” which John and writing partner Bernie Taupin named after the rock legend. Thursday, John spoke with EW and shared some of his favorite memories about Helm:

“When I heard The Band’s Music from Big Pink, their music changed my life. And Levon was a big part of that band. Nigel Olson, my drummer, will tell you that every drummer that heard him was influenced by him. He was the greatest drummer and a wonderful singer and just a part of my life that was magical. They once flew down to see me in Philadelphia and I couldn’t believe it. They were one of the greatest bands of all time. They really changed the face of music when their records came out. I had no idea he was sick so I’m very dismayed and shocked that he died so quickly. But now my son [Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John] has his name.”

Read more:
Rock legend Levon Helm dies at 71
Remembering Levon Helm: A playlist
A Midnight Rambler

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