Just Like Belgium
As you know, there’s been a rash of Elton John Eyewear pop-up stores. But there have been sore eyes, due to hitches. Three were recently slated for Maasmechelen Village: two venues in Belgium and one in Cologne, Germany. However, we heard from a fan in Belgium who tried to find the store. She was stunned and disappointed to learn there weren’t any: Maasmechelen Village was removed from the list!
We even despatched our Belgium-based webmaster Fran Gilles to investigate. Fran was able to confirm and said that three stewards at Maasmechelen Village said that they had never heard of Elton John, just to add insult to injury. Elton’s management ought to do a better job of updating their information. This could easily have been avoided, and an apology is in order at the Antwerp gig at the end of this month.
In time for Elton’s final O2 show on 30 May, though, an Elton-John store has opened at 59 Greek Street in London, England. It features eyewear and apparel, and there are a number of outfits from the star’s touring career on display.
With such outlets in mind, the Sunday Times has referred to Elton as the ”Shop-It Man.” He’s on their latest Rich List, and his estimated net worth is £450 million.
The ”Shop-It Man” is certainly known for going on many a shopping-spree, even scooping up 40-50 albums at a time. It’s also been reported that Elton has purchased clothes without trying them on first.
On Saturday, Julien’s Auctions offered a gold and silver jacket with a colourful embroidered patch spelling out Elton’s name. It was seen in the (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again video for Rocketman, but wasn’t worn by either Elton or the biopic’s actor, Taron Egerton. Instead, this appeared briefly [blink and you’ll miss it] on a mannequin. It went for $2,600. On the other hand, a dress which was worn by a performer in a music video–Amy Winehouse–was sold for $26,000.
During his latest Rocket-Hour, Elton spoke to Saint Harison, a young singer-songwriter. He told his delighted guest that he was as talented as Amy.
Yardbarker has come up with a list of the best-ever double albums, and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was among them. It was called ”pristine” and ”wholesome,” with ”a mix of everything.”
In October, the opus turns 50. The Watford Area Arts Forum and WatfordWriters-Organisation have taken note, and are asking folks to interpret the album in any art form or writing. There are cash awards, and the Grand Prize includes the Harrington Trophy as well. Appropriately enough, the album cover’s illustrator, Ian Beck, will judge the art entries.
A Blackpool prison officer had to face a different sort of judge after admitting to stealing Elton John records. Nathan Gould, who has been suspended from his duties, claims he suffers from kleptomania.
It’s not known if Gould’s choices included Honky Chateau. At any rate, the Elton Blog recently heard from a collaborator on I-Think-I’m-Going-to-Kill-Myself, ”Legs” Larry Smith. Larry, who tap-danced on the track and in concert, was the drummer in the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. He has also designed album and CD covers, including his own, Mr. Wonderful. This includes a tribute to George Harrison, and two tracks which are narrated by actress Rula Lenska.
In addition, Larry has been working on a Dracula musical with ”operatic melodies but still funky cool.” A different musical about a vampire was Elton and Bernie Taupin‘s Lestat, which had a brief Broadway run in 2006.
Just over 47 years ago, Elton played a more intimate setting than usual. He appeared at a Watford nightclub called Baileys, although he had already started his Louder Than Concorde tour. This later became the Louder Than Concorde (But Not Quite As Pretty) tour. NECA has announced plans for an Elton-John figure, in stars and stripes, that is based on the latter. It should be available in July.
We’re off for now, but hope you’ll join the Elton Blog in extending very Happy Birthday wishes to Bernie Taupin. He turns 73 today.
