Sir Elton John to play for peace day

Sir Elton John is to play a concert in London to support a campaign to persuade those in war zones to lay down their weapons for a day.

The pop superstar will headline a concert at Wembley Arena for the Peace One Day charity, which is promoting the Global Truce 2012 campaign.
The campaign hopes to "create the largest global reduction of violence ever recorded on one day".
The event, co-produced by actor Jude Law, takes place on 21 September.
Peace One Day was founded in 1999 by film-maker Jeremy Gilley to establish an annual day of ceasefire and non-violence.
The United Nations adopted Peace Day in 2001 and the charity says it has led to significant reductions in violence in countries like Afghanistan.
That, in turn, has allowed activities such as aid workers getting into normally inaccessible areas of Afghanistan to vaccinate 4.5 million children against polio since 2007, the charity said.
Sir Elton said: "When Jeremy and Jude came to see me and told me about Peace One Day and the Global Truce 2012 campaign, I had to get involved and support them."
The Wembley concert will follow a similar show starring Pixie Lott and Imelda May in Londonderry on 21 June to mark the opening of the London 2012 Festival.

Sir Elton John, Lady GaGa's health

The 'Rocket Man' singer, 65, said he is concerned about the 26-year-old singer and her tiny frame.

He told The Guardian: "I look at GaGa and I think, 'How does she do it?'"

He also admitted that her parents are anxious about whether she is taking correct care of herself while travelling the world.

Elton continued: "I talk to her mum and dad about it. They worry."

The music legend explained that the star - who is godmother to he and civil partner David Furnish's son Zachary - is especially on their minds because she works extremely hard.

He added: "She is frail, and she doesn't eat when she should, and she's a girl, and it's tougher for a girl. She works really hard. She will be in Denmark one night and Saudi Arabia the next. I know how tiny she is and I do worry about her, yes."

Elton suffered his own health scare recently (23.05.12) . He was admitted to hospital with a "serious" respiratory infection.

He had to cancel shows in Las Vegas to recover from the illness.

He said in a statement: "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."

Elton John concert promotors

Taunton 'ideal location' say Elton John concert promotors

PROMOTORS for the Elton John concert said Taunton is an ideal location for more major events in the future after a successful evening on Sunday.
Marshall Arts helped to run the Elton John event six years ago and they said the weekend’s gig offered an even better view for fans on a brand-new stage.
Marketing manager Ben Martin said there is no bigger event in the South-West than the Elton John concert in Taunton.
He added: “I am more than happy with how it went and it was good to see that people heeded our advice to wear the appropriate clothing with the weather we had.
“Everyone seemed to enjoy a fantastic event with fantastic views of Elton and speaking to the club and the council they seemed happy with how the event was run and managed.
“Taunton is an ideal location to draw in some very big artists from the north and south and I am sure the club will be working hard for more events in the future.”

Elton John

                           His Majesty … Elton John. Photograph: Andrew Benge/Redferns

Twenty-four hours after Sir Elton John performed before the Queen at the diamond jubilee celebrations, His Majesty is facing a field in Yorkshire, grey skies and folding chairs. "Good evening Harrogate! I never thought I'd say that," he begins, undaunted, roaring into a raucous, piano-bashing version of Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting. When he stands up, he reveals the full magnificence of his outfit: gold shoes and a sparkling black jacket that has a large crown on the rear with the words "EJ" instead of "ER". If EJ hadn't proved such a hit the day before, you suspect Her Majesty might put His Majesty's tailor in the Tower
Such formidable skills as a showman explain why Reg Dwight has been rock royalty for five decades, a reign almost as long as the Queen's. The 65-year-old makes songs he must have played thousands of times sound relatively fresh, and puts in the same effort whether entertaining royalty or riff-raff. In fact, recovery from a respiratory infection means he sings far better here than he managed at the big house on Monday.
Away from the showbiz and flag-waving of the Mall, this 180-minute marathon is about Elton the musician, exploring his labyrinthine back catalogue. There are songs from 1970s touchstone albums Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Madman Across the Water, unexpected gems (Hey Ahab, from 2010's critically heralded, so-so-selling album with hero Leon Russell), and classics including a perfect Tiny Dancer and a Rocket Man that now sounds wistful for his days of being "high as a kite".
Candle in the Wind, famously performed at Princess Diana's funeral, is played without introduction, the song returning to its original position as moving lament for Marilyn Monroe. The one moment of controversy is comical, when the former Watford FC chairman debates the England team selections, branding new manager Roy Hodgson a "twat".
Despite a life of grandeur, Sir Elt retains a common touch, one minute talking soberly about the "moving experience" of the jubilee crowds, the next, dedicating a lovely Daniel to his friend Janet, "one of the greatest ramblers I've ever known". His special powers can't prevent a downpour during Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me, but a party atmosphere erupts when Crocodile Rock includes a cheeky reference to famous Yorkshireman and striking miners' leader Arthur Scargill.
"This is Your Song," Harrogate!" he yells, a crowd-pleaser to the last, before waving benignly and signing autographs for his subjects. Long may he reign.