Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
Elton John was a guest on Friday’s episode of his pal Dua Lipa‘s podcast At Your Service, and among the topics they discussed were those unexpected moments that change your life completely. Elton revealed it was one of those moments which has led to his greatest happiness: becoming a father.
“I was never going to have children,” Elton told Dua. But several years ago, he and his husband David visited an orphanage in Ukraine, where he found himself carrying around an 18-month-old boy for a few hours.
“Then we had a press conference at the end,” Elton recalls. “And they said, ‘You seem very fond of this little boy. Would you think of adopting him?’ And I went, ‘Oh yeah, I’d actually love to.'”
That, of course, made headlines, but it turned out that Elton and David weren’t allowed to adopt the boy, nor his half-brother, because they were “too old” and, Elton says, “Because I was gay, they wouldn’t allow us to do it anyway.” But Elton and David were determined to get the boys out of the orphanage, and, he says, “Luckily they had a grandmother who took them.”
But then, Elton says, David asked him about having their own children.
“I always said no, but this little boy was telling me something,” Elton recalled. “He was saying, ‘Come on, you can be a dad.’ And that’s when we decided to have children, because of this little boy Lev, in Ukraine.”
While Elton and David continue to make sure Lev and his brother are safe, they’ve since welcomed their own children, Zachary and Elijah. And Elton’s desire to spend more time with them is why he tells Dua of his Farewell Tour, “I will be happy when it’s over.”
While Elton himself couldn’t make it in person, the 30th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, held Sunday night in Los Angeles, was a huge success.
The party, hosted by Elton’s husband David Furnish, and their friends Lady Gaga, Billy Porter and Eric McCormack, raised $8.6 million for the Foundation. Elton joined via satellite from his concert in Lincoln, Nebraska to thank the attendees, and shared a performance of “Your Song” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” During that performance, guests received limited-edition Elton John Eyewear “Gold Dust” frames to wear along with Elton.
Elton’s friend, singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile, performed at the party and duetted with singer/songwriter Jake Wesley Rogers on “Rocket Man.”
“I’m so grateful to my friends Lady Gaga, Billy Porter and Eric McCormack for joining David in hosting such an incredible evening, and of course Brandi Carlile for bringing down the house with an electrifying performance,” Elton said in a statement. “Most of all, I’m thankful to all who attended and participated to ensure that we can continue our lifesaving work to end AIDS. I could feel the love and support all the way from Lincoln, Nebraska!”
David Furnish added in a statement, “It was an especially unforgettable and emotional evening with our sons in attendance for the first time. They made their fathers extremely proud representing our family at the Foundation’s most important night of the year!”
Guests at the bash included Demi Lovato, Kevin Costner, Donatella Versace, Chris Pine, Zooey Deschanel, Fran Drescher, Patricia Arquette, Heidi Klum, Chrissy Metz and many more.
Genesis brought its The Last Domino? farewell tour to a close on Saturday night with a concert at London’s O2 Arena, during which singer Phil Collins announced it would be the band’s last ever.
According to Rolling Stone, Collins addressed the audience early on in the concert and said, “Tonight is a very special night…It’s the last stop of our tour. And it’s the last show for Genesis.” He added, jokingly, “After tonight we’ve all got to get real jobs.”
Collins also revealed that original Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel, who left the group in 1975, was in attendance.
“I think Peter’s here tonight,” Phil declared at one point during the show, BestClassicBands.com reports. “Peter Gabriel, ladies and gentlemen…Let’s hear it. I don’t know where he is. Maybe he’s the one shouting for [the 1972 Genesis song] ‘Supper’s Ready.'”
Rolling Stone reports that the event featured the same 23-song set that Genesis had played at nearly every show on the tour, which kicked off with a fall 2021 U.K. leg and also visited North America and mainland Europe.
The World of Genesis fan site tweeted a photo of Gabriel and Collins backstage at the show.
The concert’s final song was a rendition of the 1974 tune “The Carpet Crawlers.” You can check out fan-shot video of the performance on YouTube.
As previously reported, Genesis’ The Last Domino? tour featured the band’s classic trio lineup of Collins, keyboardist Tony Banks and guitarist/bassist Mike Rutherford reuniting to perform for the first time since 2007. Collins, who was unable to play drums on the trek due to recent health issues, was replaced behind the kit by his 20-year-old son Nic. Longtime touring guitarist Daryl Stuermer also took part in the outing.
Here’s the concert’s full set list:
“Behind the Lines”/”Duke’s End”
“Turn It On Again”
“Mama”
“Land of Confusion”
“Home by the Sea”
“Second Home by the Sea”
“Fading Lights”
“The Cinema Show”
“Afterglow”
“That’s All”
“The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway”
“Follow You Follow Me”
“Duchess”
“No Son of Mine”
“Firth of Fifth”
“I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)”
“Domino”
“Throwing It All Away”
“Tonight, Tonight, Tonight”
“Invisible Touch”
Encore:
“I Can’t Dance”
“Dancing with the Moonlit Knight”
“The Carpet Crawlers”
Following the shocking news of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins‘ death, more details have emerged as to what transpired on Friday in Bogota, Colombia, where the band had been scheduled to perform.
A tweet from the Attorney General of Colombia on Saturday stated that 10 substances were found in Hawkins’ urine, including THC (marijuana), opioids and both tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines, the latter two of which are used to treat depression.
“The National Institute of Forensic Medicine will continue the medical studies to achieve total clarification of the facts that led to the death of Taylor Hawkins,” the tweet continues. “The Office of the Attorney General of the Nation will continue with the investigation and will report the results obtained within the framework thereof in a timely manner.”
The Colombian news magazine Semana, citing “authorities,” also reported that Hawkins had an enlarged heart, which “collapsed” due to the “cocktail of narcotics” found in his system, and that the cause of death was an overdose of heroin mixed with antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
The local government of Bogota had previously tweeted that an ambulance had been dispatched to a hotel “north of the city” in response to call about a patient suffering chest pain. When it arrived, a private ambulance was already at the scene. Attempts were made to revive the patient, the tweet stated, but he was unresponsive, and declared dead.
The music world is reacting to the shocking and unexpected death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who passed away Friday at age 50 in Bogota, Colombia, where his band had been scheduled to perform that night at a festival.
Among the famous artists who have posted tributes to Hawkins on their social media pages are Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, Jimmy Page, Stevie Nicks, Aerosmith and many more.
Here are some of the many homages, a number of which have been edited for length:
Mick Jagger: “So incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Taylor Hawkins. My thoughts are with his family and the band at this time.”
Ringo Starr: “God bless Taylor peace and love to all his family and the band peace and love.”
Jimmy Page: “After the Led Zeppelin show at the O2, I was invited to play at Wembley Stadium with the Foo Fighters on 7th June 2008. We played Rock and Roll with Taylor on turbocharged vocals and Dave on drums and then for Ramble On they swapped, with Taylor on drums and Dave Grohl on vocals. We put in some serious versions of these two songs. It was so good to play with him. I really admired him and he was a brilliant musician: his technique, his energy and spirited enthusiasm. On this sad day, I would like to send my condolences to his family, his band members in the Foos and his fans.”
Stevie Nicks: “He always came to my shows. He and his best friend Dave even let me be a Foo Fighter for a little while. We recorded a kick a** version of Gold Dust Woman (live) and at the end of the song I yelled out ‘Best Gold Dust Woman ever.’ And I meant it… Taylor was very handsome and he was very cute…He had a huge heart and a glorious smile. When he walked into the room, everyone looked up. When he left the room, everyone was sad…Don’t forget us, ‘ T.’ We’ll be right here.”
Aerosmith: “Such a devastating loss. REST IN PEACE Taylor! Our hearts to out to his friends and family.”
Ozzy Osbourne: “@taylorhawkinsoffical was truly a great person and an amazing musician. My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans. See you on the other side.”
Queen‘s Brian May: “No. It cannot be. Heartbroken. Taylor, you were family to us. Our friend, our brother, our beloved child. Bless you. We will miss you so bad.”
Axl Rose: “Shocked n’ saddened to hear of the passing of Taylor Hawkins. He was a really great guy, drummer n’ family man. Was always great to see him! Was looking forward to seeing him n’ everyone in Daytona. Truly saddened. My deepest condolences to his family, the Foo Fighters n’ their fans.”
Slash: “Devastated by the loss of our friend #TaylorHawkins I’ve no words to express all the feelings I have about his passing. But my heart goes out to his family. & his band & friends. RIP Taylor.”
Metallica‘s Lars Ulrich: “Thank you for always having the biggest warmest smile on your face and for lighting up every room with your infectious energy and good vibes…At BottleRock recently, I had the best seat in the house right above you and once again stood in amazement watching as you effortlessly steered Foo Fighters through a two hour festival set with the perfect balance of swing, swagger, bounce and insane chops…Your phone call a week ago touched and inspired me and I will always be appreciative for you championing our community as in your parting words…’Drummers stick together!’ Damn right brother. Except now the community is lesser without you. Rest In Peace.”
KISS‘ Gene Simmons: “Hearts broken all over the world. Taylor Hawkins was a kind soul & a monster musician. Drummer for the Foos, Alanis Morissette & Sass Jordon (who I managed for a time). Taylor and his band were to play our Kiss Kruize in Oct…Prayers and condolences to the Hawkins family.”
KISS‘ Paul Stanley: “Speechless and Gutted. Taylor was a great guy, a dad and a husband. My heart goes out to them, Dave and the band. What awful news.”
Green Day‘s Billie Joe Armstrong: “Shocked and devastated . To Taylor Hawkins family and the Foo Fighters family. Our hearts are with you. Always.”
Brian Wilson: “I’m heartbroken to hear about Taylor Hawkins. He was such a nice young man. Love & Mercy to Taylor’s family and friends.”
The Doors‘ John Densmore: “A great, great, drummer and friend has passed. Taylor had written on his bass drum, ‘RIP Charlie (Watts)’. Now, RIP Taylor. It is a very sad day.”
Heart‘s Ann Wilson: “Bon Voyage Taylor. Travel well!”
The Pretenders‘ Chrissie Hynde: “Rock expert and virtuoso drummer Taylor Hawkins has left the building. He made me proud to be in a band. I’ll miss you bro’. XXX”
Tom Morello: “God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend.”
Liam Gallagher: “Absolutely devastated to hear the sad news about Taylor Hawkins my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends RIP brother.”
Joan Jett: “We are gutted to hear about the passing of our dear friend Taylor Hawkins. He was an incredible musician and the kindest, warmest person who always had the biggest smile in the room. We send our love to his wife, children, Dave, Pat, Chris, Rami, Nate and the entire Foos’ family. We love you guys and we will miss Taylor immensely.”
Wolfgang Van Halen: “I’ll never forget meeting Taylor on tour in San Diego in 2012. He was such a ridiculously kind man. The dude just emanated cool. Him, my pops and I talked for as long as we could until we had to leave. An incredible drummer and singer, he was a constant inspiration to me throughout my entire life. This is like a kick in the gut…My most heartfelt condolences go out to his family…You’ll be so sorely missed, Taylor…Rest In Peace.”
Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has died at age 50.
In a statement posted late Friday night, the Dave Grohl-led band wrote, “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins.”
“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on all with of us forever,” the statement reads. “Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”
No cause of death was announced.
Hawkins was born in 1972, and began his musical career as the drummer for the Canadian singer Sass Jordan. He then joined the band of another Canadian rocker, Alanis Morissette, and toured with her from 1995 to 1997 as she supported her Diamond-certified album Jagged Little Pill.
Shortly after Foo Fighters had finished recording their second album, 1997’s The Colour and the Shape, Grohl hired Hawkins to be the band’s new drummer, and he remained with the group ever since. Hawkins was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with the rest of the Foos in 2021.
Outside of Foo Fighters, Hawkins had many other projects, including his band The Coattail Riders and a cover group called Chevy Metal. Late last year, Hawkins launched the band NHC alongside Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney of Jane’s Addiction.
Foo Fighters are currently in Colombia, where they were scheduled to headline a festival Friday night. The band was also previously announced to perform at the Grammys next Sunday, April 3, where they’re up for for three awards.
ZZ Top has released their updated version of their 1971 song “Brown Sugar” as the first single from their upcoming album, Raw, which is due out on July 22.
As previously reported, Raw was recorded in conjunction with the blues-rock trio’s 2019 documentary That Little Ol’ Band from Texas, and is being released as a tribute to longtime bassist Dusty Hill, who died in July 2021 at age 72.
For the movie, ZZ Top’s classic lineup of singer/guitarist Billy Gibbons, Hill and drummer Frank Beard played an intimate set of songs from their back catalog that was filmed and recorded at historic Gruene Hall, known as “the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas.” The new album features the audio of that “raw” performance.
In addition to “Brown Sugar,” a Gibbons-penned tune that originally appeared on ZZ Top’s 1971 debut album, the 12-track collection boasts versions of such classics as “Legs,” “Tush,” “La Grange” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” and other gems like “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” and “Tube Snake Boogie.”
“‘Brown Sugar’ has been sweetening our concert sets for many decades now, so it seemed like the right song to kick off RAW,” Gibbons notes. “The Gruene Hall session was a satisfying return to our roots and a very special circumstance that we’re delighted to share with the friends and fans who have stuck with us all this time.”
You can check out a video of ZZ Top performing “Brown Sugar” at Gruene Hall on YouTube now.
Raw can be pre-ordered now, and will be available as a 180-gram vinyl LP, on CD and via digital formats.
Prior to the album’s release, ZZ Top will kick off a lengthy U.S. trek dubbed the Raw Whisky Tour on May 27 in San Diego.
Friday is Elton John‘s 75th birthday, so Billboard asked some fellow stars to pick their favorite songs by the Rocket Man. Here are just a few:
Billy Joel, who toured with Elton on and off for years, picked “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” He tells Billboard, “We used to play it together during the shows while we were on the ‘Face to Face Tours’…I always liked playing that unorthodox chord progression and singing the soaring melody in that song.”
He adds, “I still do it from time to time on my own — but it’s not the same without Elton there, too. Rock on, old friend!”
Sting chose “Come Down In Time,” from the album Tumbleweed Connection, which he later recorded his own version of. “I used to play a version of it on guitar when I played folk clubs in the early ’70s…,” he says, calling it a “beautiful song with lovely and mysterious lyrics.”
Jimmy Buffett also chose a song from Tumbleweed Connction, “Country Comfort.” Buffett says he first heard the song and album while working as a reporter for Billboard, and recalls that he was surprised by the record’s country-influenced sound.
“I like the pedal steel guitar on it,” Jimmy notes. “My thought at the time was, ‘Why isn’t anybody here doing this song?’ or ‘Why isn’t in on country radio?'”
Annie Lennox and Neil Diamond both chose “Rocket Man,” with Annie noting, “It’s a full-blown spiritual experience packed into a ‘song!'”
Elton’s recent “Cold Heart” duet partner Dua Lipa chose three: “Rocket Man,” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” and “Bennie and the Jets.”
“His songs work for any situation — singing in the shower or the car, or a night out with friends,” she says. “I just want Elton with me wherever I go.”
Foreigner launches a new eight-show Las Vegas residency tonight at The Venetian Theatre, and the veteran rockers have just announced that, in conjunction with the concerts, they will be partnering with the American Red Cross to help the organization’s Ukrainian relief efforts.
The band will donate $5,000 from each of its residency performances to the cause, and also will encourage fans attending the shows to donate money to American Red Cross reps who will be at the venue.
“The plight of everyone impacted by this conflict is an international tragedy,” says founding Foreigner guitarist and songwriter Mick Jones. “While we face our own ongoing struggles here at home, I am thrilled at the opportunity to work with the American Red Cross in doing our part in the relief efforts.”
He adds, “Our goal is to offer some solace or small comfort to traumatized people in the region. I could think of nothing more American than a gesture of such brotherly love to those who are feeling so displaced and alone in this world right now.”
The Red Cross is providing humanitarian aid to Ukrainians in need both in their own country and to those who have fled to neighboring countries during Russian’s military invasion. International crisis responders have been deployed by the Red Cross to Poland, Moldova, Hungary and Romania to provide relief. Visit RedCross.org for more info.
Foreigner’s Las Vegas residency show features a full performance of the band’s chart-topping 1981 album, 4, in honor of its 40th anniversary. The rockers also will play many of their other hits during the concert.
Tickets are available for now at Ticketmaster.com, VenetianLasVegas.com, at Venetian Resort box offices or by calling 702-414-9000 or 866-641-7469. The engagement runs through April 9.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts‘ recently announced first-ever acoustic album, Changeup, got its release today.
The album is a 25-track collection featuring new, unplugged versions of songs spanning Joan Jett‘s entire career, from her work with the trailblazing 1970s all-female group The Runaways through to some of her most recent songs with her backing band, The Blackhearts.
Changeup is available now as a digital download, via streaming services and in the immersive audio formats Sony 360 RA and Dolby Atmos. A vinyl version will be released at a later date.
Among the tracks on Changeup are acoustic versions of Jett’s classic early hit “Bad Reputation,” “Androgynous,” her cover of Tommy James and the Shondells‘ “Crimson and Clover,” the Runaways classic “Cherry Bomb,” the Bruce Springsteen-penned “Light of Day,” and a wide variety of deeper cuts.
Prior to Changeup‘s release, Joan released her unplugged renditions of “Bad Reputation” and “(I’m Gonna) Run Away,” a song from Jett and the Blackhearts’ 1981 debut album, I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.
In other news, Joan will be one of the guest performers at acclaimed New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty‘s sixth annual Treme Threauxdown concert, scheduled for April 30 at the Saenger Theatre in the Big Easy. The event, which also will feature Gary Clark Jr., Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Tank and the Bangas, takes place during the first weekend of the 2022 New Orleans Jazz Fest.
Meanwhile, Jett and her band have a series of spring U.S. headlining dates scheduled leading up to the group’s stint on The Stadium Tour, the major U.S. summer trek that also features Def Leppard, Motley Crue and Poison. The tour kicks off June 16 in Atlanta. Visit JoanJett.com for her full itinerary.
Here’s the complete track list of Changeup:
“(I’m Gonna) Run Away”
“You’re Too Possessive”
“Long Time”
“Victim of Circumstance”
“Coney Island Whitefish”
“Love Is Pain”
“Oh Woe Is Me”
“You Drive Me Wild”
“Frustrated “
“Bad Reputation”
“Fake Friends”
“Fresh Start”
“Soulmates to Strangers”
“Make It Back”
“Fragile”
“I Love Playin’ with Fire”
“Cherry Bomb “
“I Want You”
“Crimson and Clover”
“A 100 Feet Away”
“Androgynous”
“You Don’t Know What You’ve Got”
“School Days”
“Good Music”
“Light of Day”
