There is a chance Sir Elton John will perform in St. John's this fall.
Robson Vianna
http://www.laguiatv.com/actualidad/noticias/14655/general/canal-retrata-intensa-vida-elton-john.html
Canal+ estrena este sábado, a las 01:05h "Yo y yo mism Elton John" un divertido, conmovedor y revelador viaje autobiográfico con el músico a través de su vida pasada, presente y futura.
Por primera vez, utilizando la más extraordinaria e innovadora tecnología Elton John habla de momentos clave del pasado de su vida y revela sus verdaderos sentimientos. A través de imágenes generadas por ordenador, el documental recrea el momento en el que Elton John es abducido del escenario de su local de Las Vegas para realizar un viaje en el tiempo. A bordo de un cohete, el músico británico repasa los momentos -públicos y privados- más importantes de su vida.
Elton, que tiene una carrera de más de cuatro décadas a nivel mundial y cuenta con récord de ventas de más de 250 millones de discos, se sumerge en su propio pasado. Recuerda sus grandes momentos, desde su legendario primer concierto en el Club Toubaour en Los Ángeles, al más numeroso celebrado en el estadio Dodgers en 1975 en la final de la Copa FA con el Watford. Habla de su amistad con las fabulosas voces Rod Stewart, Morecambe y Wise y revive hechos que han marcado su vida como la muerte de Diana, Princesa de Gales y la de su amigo Freddie Mercury, además de su nefasto matrimonio con Renate. Hace un repaso de las batallas épicas en las que ha luchado y ganado en contra de la prensa, y pone de manifiesto su lucha personal con bebida y la adicción a las drogas.
Elton comentó: "He tomado el trabajo en serio, la parte artística de las cosas, pero nunca he tomado realmente en serio la fama. De otra manera no sería capaz de mirar atrás y reírme de algunas de las horribles cosas que he hecho".
It may be quite the national scandal, but you can't beat Newfoundland for a wicked corruption story.
Forget insurance policies, a member of the House of Assembly was allegedly paid $100,000 in 1972 to tilt the balance of power in the legislature and force an election.
The general election of 1971 resulted in practically a dead heat between the Frank Moores-led Tories and Smallwood Liberals. The parties jostled back and forth over the next few months, with MHAs switching allegiances like dance partners. Between the jigs and the reels, when the House reopened in March 1972, Moores was in a minority position. Joey had resigned in January of that year, but there was a real possibility his successor, Ed Roberts, would form a Liberal government.
Then, low and behold, William Saunders, the Liberal MHA for Bay de Verde, suddenly called in sick.
According to John Crosbie's 1997 book, No Holds Barred, Saunders told the Liberals he was too ill to show up at the House. In reality, Saunders had resigned, which was highly unusual given he had been an MHA for some years and all he had to do to qualify for a legislative pension was show up in the House.
"I don't know what Moores did," Crosbie wrote. "And I don't know what Saunders got, but I think it was at least $100,000."
Crosbie said there was talk that his brother, Andrew, may have secretly raised the money for Frankie baby to give to Saunders. Thing was, Andrew was the campaign manager of the Liberal election campaign.
What was Andrew Crosbie doing raising money for the Tories?
Wrote John of his late brother: "As a businessman, Andrew would have known when it was prudent to change sides."
So what did John, who today serves as our illustrious lieutenant-governor, think of the underhanded tactics?
"Let's not pussyfoot around this," Crosbie wrote in his book. "I believed we were justified in doing WHATEVER HAD TO BE DONE to prevent the sleazy, discredited, anti-democratic Liberal party from suborning their way back into power without an election."
Newfoundland went to the polls again on March 24, 1972 and Moores won the election in a sweep — 33-9. When you think about it, $100,000 was a bargain for the PCs, considering they held onto power for 17 years. I wonder how much a political soul goes for these days? Oh right, a million bucks …
Rocky road
By the by, the Chuck Cadman revelations are contained in the soon-to-be-released book, Like a Rock: The Chuck Cadman Story. Maybe the book should be called Like The Rock: The Chuck Cadman Story …
What a croc
On the subject of rock (Crocodile Rock, in this case), St. John's Sports and Entertainment is trying to land a mega fish — Sir Elton John — for a gig next fall at Mile One. Coun. Ron Ellsworth, city council's representative on the board, says a decision on whether Sir Elton will drop by should be made within a couple of weeks. As it happens, Sir Elton played earlier this week in Sudbury, Ont. where there was a huge scandal over ticket sales. More specifically, the public went ballistic after it was revealed that city councillors had been given first dibs on the 6,000 tickets (prices ranged from $87.50 to $129.50), which went in less than an hour in the city of 85,000.
Sorry really is the hardest word in Sudbury …
Rocket man
Ellsworth has announced plans to resign his seat, effective April 18, and take a shot at the deputy-mayor position in the June 3 St. John's byelection (Elton John could push Big Ron over the top). Let's hope the sun doesn't go down on Ron before Elton's lined up. But then that's the circle of life on council, where a term is but a candle in the wind. With any luck, councillors will end up like Andy in the PUB sky with diamonds. Oh right, that's a Beatles song …
BlackBerry juice
Sir Elton might get off on Newfoundland and Labrador as a destination to really get away from it all. The March issue of Report on Business magazine includes an article, Out of reach, that lists six places around the world where the BlackBerry doesn't work, including Death Valley, California, northwest Australia, northwest Chile, northern Quebec, Bhutan and our own Gros Morne National Park. "The dramatic peaks of Newfoundland's Long Range Mountains are as primordial a landscape as you could escape to." But then Sir Elton doesn't need a getaway — he's the Rocket Man …
Best of best
The February/March edition of Progress magazine includes a feature article headlined Best of the East, a list of Atlantic Canada's best, from bars and bookstores to golf courses and women's clothing stores. There were three Newfoundlander winners: Winterholme Heritage Inn, St. John's (best B and B); Modern Shoe Hospital, St. John's (best shoe repair); and Spa at the Monastery, St. John's (best spa). Newfoundland also won a few runner-up ribbons: Living Rooms, St. John's (best home-décor centre); The Works, St. John's (best health club); Bianca's, St. John's (best fine dining); Bowring Park, St. John's (best place for a run, and best public space); and The Fairmont, St. John's (best hotel). Wonder if Sir Elton will stay there if he comes? Wonder if he knows The train don't stop there anymore.
OK, I'll stop. I don't wanna go on with you like that …
Elton John Hitting Savannah, Georgia March 12 for Show at Savannah Civic Center
Elton John, owner of five Grammy Awards, will be performing his catalog of hits at the Savannah Civic Center in Savannah, GA on March 12. The eclectic and incredibly influential rocker will be in Newark, Delaware on March 10 before arriving in the Georgia coastal town.
Following his performance in Savannah Elton John will travel to Florida with his first show scheduled in Pensacola on March 14 at the Pensacola Civic Center followed by stop in Tallahassee at the Civic Center Arena on March 15 and Gainesville on March 16 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. John will then travel to Las Vegas for 14 straight shows at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace beginning March 19.
John ranks as one of the most successful pop and rock artists of all time with more than 250 million albums sold world wide over a career that has spanned more than four decades.
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Kelly Galloway gets it. The rookie politician is, it seems, the only member of Kitchener council to hear and respond to the public anger about the unfair doling out of tickets to the local Elton John concert this week.
Only Coun. Galloway stepped forward to say she gave up the publicly-paid-for ticket that would have let her see the legendary rock star. Only Galloway says that she also handed over the ticket she was able to buy for a family member to the concert that so many fans tried but failed to see.
Only Galloway, apparently, twigged to the fact that what burned so many people was not that they couldn't see Elton John but that a few politicians, a few privileged politicians, were handed free tickets and the power to butt in line and purchase even more tickets for friends and family. She gave her complimentary ticket to a disabled client at a social agency. Then Galloway gave the ticket she got for her mother to a support worker to accompany the disabled client. Yes, Galloway gets it.
Mayor Carl Zehr still doesn't. He attended the concert, as did seven of his friends and relatives for whom he bought tickets, explaining, "I considered it important for me to be there for a variety of reasons.'' His Worship did not elaborate on those reasons.
Coun. John Gazzola doesn't get it. "Let's be realistic,'' he said, pointing to the perks supposedly provided in the business world. "It's all around us.'' Coun. Geoff Lorentz, who attended the concert as, presumably, did the 19 family members and friends he helped buy standing room tickets, doesn't get it. Nor does Coun. Berry Vrbanovic who was also there. Nor, as far as this paper can tell after making inquiries, do councillors John Smola or Christina Weylie, who were both given free tickets.
Now, let's be clear that there are bigger issues than this facing Kitchener today. Let's also agree that we're talking about a practice that is arguably unfair but in no way illegal. But even put into this context, the free concert access for politicians as well as the special treatment for their friends and family left a bad taste in many people's mouths. Galloway, to her credit, tried to wash that bad taste away. She gets it. Remember her next election.
Sir Elton John to play Liverpool's new arena
Mar 7 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post
SIR Elton John is coming to Liverpool to wow his fans at the city's Echo Arena, the Daily Post can reveal.
Although the exact dates remained a closely guarded secret last night, the Rocketman is touring the UK in June and July, and his visit is likely to be part of the city's Summer Pops season.
Direct from his long- running show at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Elton will bring his iconic Yamaha red grand piano to the stage.
The larger than life stage set will be re-created in Liverpool, providing a spectacular glitzy show never before seen outside America.
Designed to reflect the star's flamboyance, the theme of the show called The Red Piano is love, symbolised by the colour red, state-of-the art effects and high end imagery.
Sir Elton, who congratulated the city on its 800th birthday, has already announced dates in Swansea, Darlington and Doncaster.
Speaking to the Post earlier this year, he said: "Liverpool has always been one of my favourite cities, both as a place to perform and as a city that has produced so much lively talent in so many different fields."
Speaking on his current tour, he added: "The Red Piano is totally different from anything I've done in Britain before.
"It's a fun-filled show and I'm going to have a lot of fun doing it."
With a career spanning four decades, 500 tracks and 32 albums, Sir Elton celebrated his 60th birthday last year.
The Liverpool dates of the tour are set to be announced next week.
A documentary about music icon Elton John produced by London-based indie Monkey Kingdom is among seven new productions set to hit US cablenet VH1's schedule.
Elton John: Me, Myself and I (1x60') originally aired on UK broadcaster ITV in September 2007. Touted as "a private insight" into the singer's life "unlike anything ever seen before in any television documentary," the one-off special features Elton John narrating the story of his life aided by rare archive material.
The documentary will air as part of VH1's Rock Doc strand on June 7. The channel has also greenlit an original Rock Doc to air on April 5.
The Night James Brown Saved Boston is the story of a James Brown gig scheduled for the night after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr, which was televised in order to keep viewers at home and avoid rioting and violence on the streets of Boston's inner city. It is directed by David Leaf (Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile).
Four new original reality shows will feature on VH1's 2008 slate. The Cho Show (7x30'), from Crossroads Television, stars stand-up comedian Margaret Cho; and New York Goes to Hollywood (10x30') is the second series for Flavour of Love spin-off star Tiffany 'New York' Pollard, produced by Mindless Entertainment and 51 Pictures.
The other two new shows are from Pink Sneakers Productions: Luke's Parental Advisory (8x30'), a behind-the-scenes look at the life of hip hop star turned CEO and dutiful father Luther 'Luke' Campbell of the 2 Live Crew; and Brooke Hogan Knows Best (10x30'), in which Hulk's daughter goes it alone in Miami.
The seventh new production for VH1 is a Snoop Dogg special for the channel's well-known Storytellers banner, in which the rapper will perform songs from his upcoming album Ego Trippin' and answer questions from fans. VH1 Storytellers: Snoop Dogg, a VH1 production, will air on March 31.
The network has also ordered a new series in the Celebrity Fit Club franchise from Granada America. Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp, premiering March 13 at 21.00, adds a boot camp-style exercise regime to the celebrity weight loss format. In a second twist, half of the cast will be returning Fit Club vets back for a second round, and the rest new recruits.
VH1 has recently cracked the list of top 10 basic cable networks for the first time in its 23-year history, according to its exec VP of programming and development, Jeff Olde.
"Breaking into cable's overall top 10 network ratings is a new milestone in VH1's ratings ascent that's been propelled by some of the most talked-about shows in television this year," Olde said. "VH1 has never had so many hit shows on the air at one time. This new slate of provocative 'Celebreality' shows, insightful music documentaries and exclusive music performances will keep our success streak going while fuelling our expanding original programming efforts."
VH1 is currently ranked seventh among US basic cable networks, he added.
Emily Brookes
7 Mar 2008
© C21 Media 2008
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http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/2008/03/07/toth_rocketman/
It's a Monday evening in March and the coaching staff of the Ontario Hockey League Kitchener Rangers are treating their wives to a well-deserved night on the town. Head coach Peter DeBoer and his assistants don't have to travel very far to score Brownie points with their brides, however, as Elton John is performing at the Ranger's very own arena - the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. But while the ladies are having the time of their lives, teenage hockey players wouldn't be caught dead at the British pop star's concert.
"I must be getting old," laughed DeBoer a few days after the show. "When I polled our guys in the dressing room, most of them couldn't name even one Elton John song."
Actually, DeBoer is only 39-years-old; still a young pup when it comes to the coaching fraternity. And to borrow the title from one of Elton John's biggest hits, DeBoer is a "Rocket Man" who's destined to blast off for the NHL before too long. In 13 seasons as an OHL bench boss, DeBoer has rung up over 530 career wins, two coach of the year awards and a Memorial Cup title in 2003. Kitchener is set to host the 2008 Memorial Cup tournament in May and the Rangers have an excellent chance of lugging the big trophy around their own backyard rink. Heading into the final ten days of the regular season, the Rangers have 105 points and if they sweep the last five games, their 56 wins would put them in the OHL record book behind only the London Knights, who won 59 games in 2004-05.
According to DeBoer, the Rangers recipe for success is a simple one: the most talented players on the team are also the hardest workers, a group that includes netminder Steve Mason. DeBoer, who also serves as the general manager in Kitchener, swung a deal with London to acquire Mason in January and a good team suddenly got even better. Mason was between the pipes for Canada when they struck gold at this year's World Junior Championships and he was also called up to the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets a couple of times this season, although he didn't end up getting into any games.
"Steve's a great goalie but he's an even better kid," raved DeBoer. "He already carries himself as if he's been in the NHL for ten years."
And DeBoer definitely knows an NHL'er when he sees one. Over the years he's had the chance to coach a number of future pro's, including Mike Richards and Derek Roy, who were both part of the Rangers 2003 championship club. A few months ago, Richards signed a mind-boggling 12 year-$69 million deal with the Philadelphia Flyers but DeBoer says there's no way all of that cash will go to his head.
"Mike's the kind of kid who's happy holding a hockey stick in the winter and a fishing rod in the summer," chuckled DeBoer. "In fact, he'll probably use the money to buy a bigger fishing boat and put the rest in the bank."
Roy was the captain of DeBoer's 2003 juggernaut but at 5'9", not too many people gave him a chance of duplicating his junior success at the NHL level. Five years later, however, Roy is pulling in $4 million a year as one of the top snipers with the Buffalo Sabres. Roy has always been regarded as a ferocious competitor but he also has a reputation for being one of hockey's most notorious divers. During his Kitchener career Roy played with current Florida Panther Gregory Campbell whose dad, Colin, is the NHL's Lord of Discipline.
"Collie came to a lot of our games and we used to joke with Derek that the NHL already had a book on him," said DeBoer. "Sure enough, he gets called up to Buffalo and he's one of the first guys to get a letter from the league warning about diving."
Meanwhile, a lot of people are wondering why DeBoer hasn't taken the plunge into the pro game. Well, for one thing, there's his annual salary with the Rangers, a deal OHL insiders claim is in the $350,000 range; a nice chunk of change for a family of five living in a small Canadian city. It's common knowledge that DeBoer has turned down a number of head coaching gigs in the American Hockey League and he's also had discussions about working as an NHL assistant with both Carolina and Toronto.
DeBoer's connection to those two clubs?
His close association with Paul Maurice. The two were teammates on the Windsor Spitfires and DeBoer cut his coaching teeth in the OHL working as Maurice's right hand man with the old Detroit Whalers in the early 90's. In fact, their friendship is so strong that they took turns standing up at each other's wedding. However, as strange as it may seem, DeBoer says their bond has actually got in the way of the two pals renewing their partnership on the NHL front.
"In the last season Paul and I worked together, we ended up winning the OHL title. We always joke that if we reunite it can only go downhill and it's not worth wrecking our friendship over."
But DeBoer definitely keeps close tabs on his buddy's NHL adventures. At the moment, Maurice is fighting for his coaching life with the Maple Leafs and DeBoer says it's been tough to take.
"There's lots of times when I want to phone the radio talk shows and defend him. I'd like to be able to tell people what a hard working and ethical guy he is. But Paul's a big boy and he knows when you're coaching at that level, criticism comes with the territory."
Since the Rangers aren't scheduled to play on Saturday, DeBoer can sit back and watch the Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada. However, you'll excuse him if he has an interest in Toronto's opposition as well, since he's also tight with New Jersey Devils coach Brent Sutter. DeBoer served as an assistant during Sutter's successful tenure as coach of the Canadian junior program. But when he agreed to the job, DeBoer admits he didn't know what to expect.
"I was a little intimidated working with one of the Sutters because I didn't want to get my ass chewed off every day," he laughed." "But then I found out that while Brent is a hard driving guy, he can also put the work away to enjoy a beer and have some fun. He knows how to strike the ultimate balance by putting in a solid day's work and combine it with having a good time."
Under Sutter, the Devils got off to a rough start this year. But heading into the home stretch, they're now fighting for first place in the Eastern Conference and Sutter is being touted as a coach of the year candidate. Not bad for a rookie NHL bench boss who made the jump directly from the Western Hockey League Red Deer Rebels; and given the opportunity, DeBoer is confident he could follow the same path.
"I'm not convinced that coaching in the AHL is a necessary step to get to the NHL," he offered. "Junior hockey has some of the best coaches in the world. Hopefully, seeing the success that Brent is having will open some eyes to the whole other circle of quality coaches that are out there."
Until then, however, life in Kitchener is pretty darn good.
Heck!
Even Elton John comes to town every once in awhile.
But even though Sir Elton played to a sold out audience in Kitchener, the applause of that crowd will be a drop in the bucket compared to the cheering in May if the "Rocket Man" can take the Rangers on a starry ride to the Memorial Cup.
Adams Center nets over half of donation
Story by Elizabeth Harrison and Alex Sakariassen | March 7, 2008
Montana Kaimin
The Adams Center has raised between 60 and 80 percent of the $75,000 promised to the Elton John AIDS Foundation in an as-yet unsigned memo with the Howard Rose Agency, venue director Mary Muse told the Montana Kaimin Thursday.
"Quite frankly, the $75,000 … we never regarded it as something that might not happen," Muse said. "It's a very do-able thing."
This news correlates with optimism expressed this week by University of Montana administrators that the donation money will be raised in time for the April 11 concert.
Bob Duringer, UM vice president of administration and finance, told the Kaimin on Wednesday, while attending the Board of Regents meeting in Dillon, that Muse is ultimately responsible for making sure the funds are raised.
UM Vice President Jim Foley, also attending the Board of Regents meeting Wednesday, said he thinks Muse is involving people in the community to raise the $75,000, a fact Muse confirmed. Ultimately, Foley said, a combination of groups would be responsible for fundraising.
"I think it's a whole bunch of us, including students," Foley said. "A lot have come forward to try to be helpful, not only the University, the student community, but the community of Missoula, to bring this world-class entertainer back again."
Muse said she did not make a public announcement about the donation because she felt a "media blitz" would generate bad blood between the Adams Center and local AIDS charities. The donation was not meant to directly compete with the UM Foundation or Missoula-based charity organizations, she said.
"I know that there is a very strong force within our community that fundraises for AIDS in Missoula, and I don't want them to view us as competition."
Keri McWilliams, executive director of the Missoula AIDS Council, spoke out after reading about the Adams Center donation in the Montana Kaimin. McWilliams issued a statement on behalf of the Council: "We certainly support the efforts of the Elton John Foundation to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. However, we would like to remind the University community that HIV/AIDS is an issue right here in Montana. Missoula AIDS Council provides statewide prevention services, as well as supportive services for those living with HIV/AIDS in Montana. So obviously we would like to see our community resources stay in Montana and go to local efforts."
McWilliams said a representative from the Adams Center attempted to contact the Council Thursday afternoon. The Council plans to get in touch with Adams Center administration and will not make further statements until that has been done.
Muse said the Adams Center has not made plans to release detailed information regarding donors and donation amounts to the public, and it is doubtful that the information will be made available. This is a measure to protect any private donors who wish to remain anonymous for personal reasons and does not mean the Adams Center is trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, she said.
"We are facilitating donations, we are not making the donations," Muse said.
Negotiations for a second Elton John concert began shortly after ticket sales for the first concert concluded. Because the show sold out so quickly, Muse called John's representatives to ask if she could reserve a second concert date. Due to a busy tour schedule, John was unable to play a second concert in the fall. But Muse said John's people were considerate when she continued to ask, "How can we get a second date?"
Muse said in answer to her question, the Howard Rose Agency mentioned John's passion for his AIDS Foundation. Muse did not say who first suggested the Adams Center make a donation, only that during negotiations the parties landed on something mutually beneficial.
"When we made this commitment, we believed it was reasonable and doable, and we still do," Muse said.
Muse said she alerted the UM administration to the donation deal "within 10 minutes" of making the offer. ASUM was alerted about the same time, she said.
Jamie Purdy contributed reporting to this article.