Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums, John has sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including seven number ones in the UK and nine in the US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts. He has also produced records and occasionally acted in films. John owned Watford F.C. from 1976 to 1987 and from 1997 to 2002. He is an honorary life president of the club.
Elton John is gifting us with a Britney collab AND a Tammy Faye musical?! Praise the Lord!!
The eyes of Tammy Faye are going to be back upon us all this October with the debut of a brand new musical, Tammy Faye.The televangelist became an unlikely gay ally in the ’80s, as she showed public kindness and empathy to HIV/AIDS patients that was uncharacteristic of folks in her religious field.Sir Elton John is scoring the upcoming show, which is set to premiere in his native London.
For even more gay spice, Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters will be the show’s lyricist. A kiki all around!Related: Michael Showalter stares into ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’ and resurrects an iconTammy Faye re-entered the public conversation last year with Michael Showalter’s The Eyes of Tammy Faye, which saw Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield taking on the roles of Tammy Faye Messner and husband Jim Bakker respectively.The film was equal parts camp and drama, with enough intrigue (and prosthetics) to earn Chastain an Oscar for Best Actress.The mixture of melodramatics, interpersonal twists and turns, and hallelujah-filled worship songs all really lends itself to a musical perfectly.Rupert Goold, artistic director of the Almeida theatre and Tammy Faye show director, seems to be of the same mindset.“It was a bizarre, baroque, almost operatic life story,” he tells The Guardian. “She’s at times kitsch, at times sentimental, but basically a very empathic figure.”Related: Looks Like Britney Spears Is Making a Comeback With a Duet With Elton John He also thinks that her story as an accepting Christian figure is one that is important to be seen today.“We’re in a really interesting time regarding faith and belief, with the repealing of Roe v Wade in various [US] states and the return of the idea of faith-based morality or legislation.
