Elton John testifies for defence at Spacey sex assault trial

LONDON, United Kingdom - British rock star Elton John on Monday gave evidence as a witness for the defense at the sexual assault trial of Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey.

The two-time Oscar winner denies 12 charges concerning four men, including indecent assault, which are alleged to have occurred between 2001 and 2013.

Giving evidence via video link from Monaco, the musician and his husband David Furnish were questioned about Spacey attending an annual ball at their home in Windsor, west of London.

One of the alleged victims has accused Spacey of sexually assaulting him while he was driving the actor to the fundraising event, claiming he grabbed "so hard" they nearly came off the road.

Spacey, 63, had earlier told the Southwark Crown Court in London that the incident "never happened", adding that he was "not on a suicide mission".

He said there had been a mutual flirtation between them and admitted to having touched the man but not in a "violent, aggressive, painful way".

Responding to questions from the prosecution, John said he recalled Spacey, dressed in "white tie", attending the fundraising event in the early 2000s.

"He was on a flight, he came on a private jet and he came straight to the ball," John told the court, adding that Spacey stayed overnight at their home after the event.

"I can't remember him coming after that," John said.

Asked if he came straight from the private jet, the singer said "I assume so, yes".

Furnish, who was first to give evidence, also said he remembered Spacey's presence at the social event.

"He was an Oscar-winning actor, there was a lot of excitement he was at the ball," the filmmaker told the jury.

"Other than attending the ball I have no memory of Kevin coming to the house ever again," he added.

- 'Like another son' -

John was among the several celebrities that Spacey mentioned in court when he entered the witness box earlier in the trial.

He spoke of giving a ping pong table to actress Judi Dench after they worked on the 2001 film "The Shipping News" together, saying they developed a "lovely friendship".

Spacey grew emotional on Monday, dabbing his eyes as the court heard character statements from friends and family.

"House" and "Dead Poets Society" star Robert Sean Leonard described Spacey as "positive, supportive and respectful", while Chris Lemmon, son of "Some Like It Hot" actor Jack Lemmon, said Spacey was "like another son" to his father.

Spacey is an Academy Award winner for "The Usual Suspects" and "American Beauty", and was artistic director of London's Old Vic theatre between 2004 and 2015.

At the opening of the trial late last month, the prosecution claimed Spacey was a "sexual bully" who revelled in making others feel uncomfortable, including by aggressively grabbing men's crotches.

The court has heard from the four alleged victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, one of whom, a former aspiring actor, said he woke up to Spacey performing a sex act on him, suggesting the actor "drugged" him.

Last week Spacey in his testimony denied the sexual assault charges and described the prosecution's case against him as "weak".

He has previously told the court his world "exploded" when he was first accused of sexual assault several years ago by US actor Anthony Rapp in the United States, adding that he "lost everything in a matter of days".

Rapp's allegations were found not proven last year.

The trial continues.

Agence France Presse

'Emotional' Elton John closes out Glastonbury festival

PILTON -- Elton John gave the final concert at Britain's legendary Glastonbury Festival on Sunday, bringing down the curtain on the annual spectacular with what could be his final UK performance.

"I never thought I'd ever play Glastonbury," he told the crowd. "It's a very special and emotional night for me –- it might be my very last show in England, in Great Britain, so I'd better play well and entertain you."

The 76-year-old pop superstar is winding down a glittering live career with a global farewell tour, having played his last concerts in the United States in May ahead of a final gig in Stockholm on July 8.

Glastonbury, Britain's best-known music festival, has been hosted on a farm in southwest England for five decades.

Before John took to the main Pyramid Stage on Sunday night, anticipation was high among fans.

"Elton's a legend," PhD student Giles Briscoe, 26, told AFP ahead of the set, wearing a replica of the iconic baseball outfit John wore at his famous 1975 concerts at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles.

"The fact that he's going to perform on such a big stage, at such a historic moment of his career, is such a big event."

John did not disappoint, kicking the show off with "Pinball Wizard" -- a role he memorably played in The Who's rock opera "Tommy" -- before reeling through some of his biggest hits, including "Candle in the Wind," "Crocodile Rock" and an intense "I'm Still Standing".

John dedicated "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to his "friend" and "inspiration" George Michael, who died on Christmas Day in 2016, and who would have turned 60 on Sunday.

'Incredible journey' 

John's husband David Furnish had told Sky News ahead of the concert that John would not stop making music after the farewell tour ends next month, and would start work on a new studio album later this year.

He also teased Sunday's performance, saying it would be "very special," and "not just another day in the office."

Indeed, John was joined on stage by several surprise guests: first off, the London Community Gospel Choir and Jacob Lusk of the soul-pop group Gabriels.

Next up was Stephen Sanchez, with John singing one of the 20-year-old American's songs.

He later shared the stage with Brandon Flowers of The Killers for "Tiny Dancer," and with Rina Sawayama for "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."

He closed out the set with a soaring rendition of "Rocket Man," complete with fireworks.

During the concert, John thanked his fans "for 52 years of amazing love and loyalty."

"It's been an incredible journey and I've had the best, best time. I will never forget you -- you are in my head, my heart and my soul."

John's UK swansong caps days of big-name performances in front of more than 200,000 fans at Glastonbury, including veteran US rockers Guns N'Roses, who were making their debut at the long-running festival in the coveted Saturday night headline slot.

They rocked through their extensive catalogue during a two-hour-plus set, playing hits including "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "November Rain."

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, whose band played a so-called secret slot Friday, joined them onstage to help play a special rendition of "Paradise City."

Other acts playing this year included UK indie giants Arctic Monkeys, singer Lizzo, rapper Lil Nas X, post-punk icon Blondie and "rickroller" Rick Astley, highlighting Glastonbury's eclectic ethos.

On Saturday, a supportive crowd sang along as Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi, who suffers from Tourette's syndrome, struggled to finish his set.

He announced he would take a break, after previously cancelling gigs to recuperate over health concerns.

No mud 

Dairy farmer Michael Eavis first organized the festival in 1970, the day after Jimi Hendrix died, and fans who came to see acts including Marc Bolan and Al Stewart paid £1 each for entry and received free milk from the farm.

It was held intermittently in the 1970s, but it wasn't until the 1990s that it really began to acquire its cult status.

While able to draw the biggest performers from every genre and generation, it is equally known for hosting thousands of small acts and left-field events across the huge Worthy Farm site, as well as for often rainy and muddy conditions.

That has not proved a problem this year, with Britain in the midst of a prolonged dry period leaving much of the country scorched.

More than 100,000 standard tickets for this year's festival sold out in just over an hour, despite the price rising to £335 ($427) this year.

Agence France-Presse

Elton John says hello again with resumed goodbye tour

NEW ORLEANS — Flamboyant British rocker Elton John has resumed his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour, returning to the stage in New Orleans after a nearly two-year hiatus.

The "Tiny Dancer" and "Crocodile Rock" hitmaker, 74, played the Crescent City on Wednesday night. Marking his retirement from performing on the road, John's global tour began in September 2018. Like other musicians he was forced to postpone live shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Wow, we haven't played a show since the 6th of March 2020. This is a new experience for us, I've never had this amount of time off in my life ... playing music, well at least since I was 17 years of age," the singer told the crowd.

"I have a fact for you, you have been holding on to these tickets for 745 days. And I can't thank you enough for being so patient. We live in funny times but we're gonna have a great time."

Sir Elton, who in September announced he was pushing back the tour's 2021 European dates due to hip problems, has enjoyed a more than 50-year music career.

He will perform across North America until April. His tour will then take him to Europe and back to North America before playing in Australia and New Zealand next year.

He is scheduled to wrap up the tour in Europe in 2023.

(Writing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

-reuters

Elton John delays European tour due to hip pain

LONDON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Elton John has delayed his European "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour until 2023 due to hip problems.

The 74-year-old British singer said he had been advised to have an operation as soon as possible.

"At the end of my summer break I fell awkwardly on a hard surface and have been in considerable pain and discomfort in my hip ever since," John said in a statement on Twitter.

"Despite intensive physio and specialist treatment, the pain has continued to get worse and is leading to increasing difficulties moving."

John, who has reigned over pop music with piano-led rockers and ballads for five decades, said the 2021 dates of his European tour would be rescheduled for 2023. His tour will get back on the road in January 2022 in New Orleans.

Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Susan Fenton

-reuters

Elton John to marry longtime partner

WASHINGTON — Pop icon Elton John says he will tie the knot with partner David Furnish now that his native Britain has legalized gay marriage.

The top-selling artist told NBC’s “Today” show that “we’ll do it very quietly.”

“But we will do it and it will be a joyous occasion,” John added.




The couple, who have two children together, entered into a civil partnership in 2005.

A historic law legalizing same-sex marriage took effect in England and Wales on Saturday, the final stage in the long fight for legal equality for gays and lesbians.

Civil partnerships have been legal there since 2005.

“I’m very proud of Britain and the laws that we’ve seen come into existence since we’ve been together,” John said in excerpts of the interview set to air Monday.

“For this legislation to come through is joyous, and we should celebrate it. We shouldn’t just say, ‘Oh, well we have a civil partnership. We’re not going to bother to get married.’ We will get married.”

Furnish told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in a separate interview that an intimate ceremony would take place in May.

“I think what we’ll do is go to a registry office in England in May, and take the boys with us, and a couple of witnesses,” the publication quoted him as saying.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Macca still leads singer rich list

Paul McCartney is still the world’s richest singer, with around $800m in the bank, according to pop culture website Celebrity Net Worth.

Their list of 58 financial bigshots includes Mick Jagger, Phil Collins and Dave Grohl in their top ten.

But the former Beatle – recently subject of an online joke poking fun at his frequent anthemic performances of Hey Jude – is $200m better off than second-place U2 singer Bono.

CNW, who last month released a drummer rich list topped by Macca’s colleague Ringo Starr, say: “There’s no better job on the planet than being frontman or woman for a major rock band. Not only to lead singers get most of the glory, attention, accolades and groupies – they also make a ton of money.

“It definitely helps if you also happen to a prolific songwriter.

“The fact that many of the richest lead singers are still performing today is a testament to their talent – or maybe they just love making millions of dollars and getting showered with adulation.”

The figures are compiled from publicly-available information from a range of income and outgoing streams, and includes adjustment for taxes, management fees and lifestyle costs.

CNW’s singer rich list

1. Paul McCartney: $800m
2. Bono: $600m
3. Jimmy Buffett: $400m
4. Elton John: $320m
5. Mick Jagger: $305m
6. Sting: $290m
7. Phil Collins: $250m
8. Dave Matthews: $250m
9. Prince: $250m
10. Dave Grohl: $225m
11. Rod Stewart: $220m
12. David Bowie: $215m
13. Bruce Springsteen: $200m
14. James Hetfield: $175m
15. Axl Rose: $150m
16. Roger Waters: $145m
17. David Gilmour: $130m
18. Steven Tyler: $130m
19. Jon Bon Jovi: $125m
20. Anthony Kiedis: $120m
21. Sammy Hagar: $120m
22. Robert Plant: $120m
23. Bruce Dickinson: $115m
24. Eric Clapton: $115m
25. Brian Johnson: $90m
26. Ozzy Osbourne: $90m
27. Gwen Stefani: $80m
28. Eddie Vedder: $80m
29. Bob Dylan: $80m
30. Brian Wilson: $75m
31. Michael Stipe: $75m
32. Trey Anastasio: $75m
33. Joe Elliott: $70m
34. Peter Gabriel: $70m
35. John Fogerty: $68m
36. Stevie Nicks: $65m
37. Roger Daltrey: $65m
38. Chris Cornell: $60m
39. Mark Hoppus: $60m
40. Tom DeLonge: $60m
41. Chris Martin: $60m
42. Billie Joe Armstrong: $55m
43. Liam Gallagher: $50m
44. Zack de la Rocha: $50m
45. Vince Neil: $50m
46. Steve Perry: $45m
47. Jon Anderson: $45m
48. Maynard James Keenan: $45m
49. Jonathan Davis: $45m
50. David Lee Roth: $40m
51. David Byrne: $40m
52. Thom Yorke: $35m
53. Jack White: $30m
54. Geddy Lee: $28m
55. Rob Halford: $25m
56. Geoff Tate: $17m
57: Gregg Allman: $15m
58: Scott Weiland: $10m

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Elton John urges Ukraine to stop attacks on gays

KIEV — Elton John used an AIDS charity concert in Kiev on Saturday to make an emotional appeal to Ukraine to stop what he called persecution of gays.

The 65-year-old singer broke off during a two-hour performance, part of the Euro 2012 soccer tournament co-hosted by Ukraine, to speak about reports of physical attacks on members of the former Soviet republic's gay community.

John, a regular visitor to the country, drew cheers from thousands of Ukrainians watching his performance on huge street screens when he described Ukraine as "my second home".

"Recently I read about violence against gay people in Ukraine. Beating up gay people is wrong. This for me does not symbolize Ukraine," he said.

"I plead with you: Stop the violence against gay people."

Ahead of the European soccer championship which began on June 8 and ends on Sunday with the final in Kiev, a gay pride march in the Ukrainian capital was called off and one of its leaders was beaten by assailants.

Last Saturday, another leading Ukrainian gay rights activist said he had received hospital treatment after being beaten in Kiev by a group of assailants, who screamed homophobic insults at him.

John, who entered a civil partnership with David Furnish in 2005, regularly champions respect for gay and lesbian rights. — Reuters

article source: gmanetwork.com