Latest news with #EltonJohn
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Elton John and Spin̈al Tap release new version of Stonehenge – and correct stage prop disaster
Elton John and Spin̈al Tap have joined forces on a new version of the band's song Stonehenge – and have finally corrected one of the great scenery-based mishaps in classic rock. The song, performed in the 1984 rock-mockumentary This Is Spin̈al Tap, is at the heart of one of the film's most cherished scenes: when the band, having made a mistake when commissioning an 18ft Stonehenge stage prop, have to make do with an 18in version being lowered from the rafters. After some hired dwarves caper around it, the band's David St Hubbins complains that they looked likely to crush it underfoot. No such problems with the new version made for the long-awaited sequel Spın̈al Tap II: The End Continues, which will be released 12 September in the US and UK (and 25 September in Australia). In the scene, released today along with a recording of the song on streaming services, the band put in a considerably more triumphant performance, complete with full-sized standing stones and the return of the dwarves. Appearing in a cloak from beneath the stage is Elton John, who takes over the lead vocal, singing lyrics such as 'Stonehenge, where a man's a man / and the children dance to the pipes of Pan' with the requisite po-faced grandeur. John is one of a number of starry cameos in the film, along with Paul McCartney, Questlove, Metallica's Lars Ulrich and more. Michael McKean reprises his role as St Hubbins alongside Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel and Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls, heading up a supporting cast filled with British comedy stars such as Nina Conti, Chris Addison and Kerry Godliman. The film will have the documentary film-maker Marty DiBergi (played by Rob Reiner) following the group as they prepare for a final reunion show. The first trailer was released earlier this week. An accompanying soundtrack album has also been announced. Elton John will appear again on Flower People, while McCartney joins them for Cups and Cakes, and country music couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood perform Big Bottom.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elton John Gets Druid With It in ‘Stonehenge' Remake Video From ‘Spinal Tap II: The End Continues'
The band is fake, but the cameo is real. Elton John makes a hilarious pop-in for an updated version of Spinal Tap's iconic tribute to the place where demons dwell, banshees wail and children dance to the pipes of pan in a just-released video for 'Stonehenge.' The single appears on the soundtrack album, The End Continues, a companion to the upcoming sequel to the OG mockumentary, 1984's This Is Spinal Tap. The 13-track LP, due out alongside the film, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, on Sept. 12, features a return to some of the farcical band's most beloved tracks with help from John ('Flower People'), Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood ('Big Bottom') and Sir Paul McCartney ('Cups and Cakes'). More from Billboard Jelly Roll & Shaboozey to Headline Australia's Strummingbird Festival Roze Oficial, Max Carra, Valen & Ramky En Los Controles Rule Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Chart For Third Week With 'Tu Jardín Con Enanitos' Kesha Announces Australian Return With 2026 Tour Dates Following the signature ominously silly intro from guitarist/singer Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) — 'In ancient times/ Hundreds of years before the dawn of history/ Lived a strange race of people, the Druids' — John emerges from the depths of the stage, throws off his hooded cloak and gets to Tapping. 'Stonehenge! Where the demons dwell/ Where the banshees live and they do live well/ Stonehenge! Where a man's a man/ And the children dance to the Pipes of Pan,' John sings over the song's prog rock thunder and unnecessary series of instrumental solos. Whether he's singing about crying dew drops or cats meowing, John capably rocks the arena, except this time, instead of the embarrassingly puny 18-inch recreation of the iconic prehistoric megalithic stone structures in rural England from the original film, the band's crew got the proportions right and a massive, 18-foot-high rock arch descends from the rafters in time for mandolin and gong solos. John totally got into the spirit of the bit on Instagram, writing, 'This was a blast, rocking out with @spinaltap for their new movie, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, and re-recording their epic 'Stonehenge' – this one is best played at volume 11!' Along with the returns of the four Tap classics, the album will also feature nine new songs with predictably laughable titles, including: 'Let's Just Rock Again,' 'Brighton Rock,' 'The Devil's Just Not Getting Old,' 'Rockin' in the Urn' and 'Blood to Let.' When the movie hits screens in September, director Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) will be back in the fold to crank the joke amps up one louder, along with guitarist/singer David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) and Polymer Records publicist Bobbi Fleckman (Fran Drescher). There will also be cameos from McCartney, John, Brooks and Yearwood, the Roots' Questlove and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Metallica timekeeper Lars Ulrich. Watch John rock 'Stonehenge' below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ozzy Osbourne and Elton John's decades long friendship: Rocket man showered his 'dear' pal with lavish gifts and helped him recover following horrific quad bike accident as singer helps lay Black Sabbath star to rest
and Elton John enjoyed a decades long frienship that will end as the Rocket man star joins mourners to lay Black Sabbath singer to rest in a private funeral at his Buckinghamshire home on Thursday. The heavy metal icon, who died last week aged 76, was showered with gifts by his famous pal and even credited singer Elton for helping his recovery following a horrific quad bike accident in 2003. The pair also collaborated on Ozzy's 2020 track Ordinary man, with Elton providing the piano and vocals, alongside Slash on guitar and Red Hot Chili Peppers Chad Smith drumming. Elton, 78, even appeared on the family's MTV show The Osbourne's in 2005, giving fans a rare glimpse into the pairs unique bond. While visiting their home in LA the Crocodile Rock icon removed a huge gold and diamond necklace from his neck to gift to his shocked pal. Clearly shocked by the gesture, Ozzy said: 'No! f**** off!' and said he 'felt bad' for accepting the trinket, Elton quipped: 'Don't be so stupid you silly old b******'. Meanwhile husband David Furnish, 62, joked: 'Is the real one at home in the safe?'. The rocker went to wife Sharon and said he felt 'so embarrassed' by the lavish gesture, before telling her to 'just go' on her shopping trip with Elton before the end ended up giving him his 'f*****g house'. Meanwhile Ozzy also praised his long time pal for helping him in his recovery following a quad bike accident that forced him to have metal rods inserted into his back. He told Yahoo: 'Elton told me to get off the couch and start walking, which was what I needed, as I couldn't move off it for months, he was right. Elton is a sweetheart. He has phoned me throughout all this' '[Elton and David and their sons] are such a good family. You would be surprised. When you are feeling miserable, you find out who is a friend and who doesn't give a s**t.' Following his death Elton shared a snap of himself and Ozzy alongside an emotional tribute to his 'dear friend which read: 'So sad to hear the news of @ozzyosbourne passing away'. 'He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend. He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx'. In true Ozzy fashion, stars arrived in gothic and heavy metal attire, with Rob Zombie donning skulls on a black scarf while Marilyn Manson wore a long black jacket to see the star buried buried in the grounds of his own mansion in Buckinghamshire - as he had said desired. The star is being laid to rest in a freshly dug grave close to the lake at the heart of the sprawling 250-acre property near Gerrards Cross. A huge floral tribute in the grounds of the mansion spells out an affectionate tribute to the heavy metal legend, with the words, 'OZZY F***ING OSBOURNE', on the banks of the Osbourne lake. A version of a floral 'Ozzy' tribute that featured at yesterday's memorial procession was also placed atop a fountain. Mourners who attended today include Elton, Metallica frontman James Hetfieldas tents were seen across the Buckinghamshire estate's grounds. The events follow a funeral procession attended by thousands of fans through Birmingham city centre on Wednesday. Ozzy's widow Sharon, 72, was supported by their children Jack, Kelly and Aimee who laid floral tributes and made a peace sign as they gestured their gratitude to fans - while accompanied by Ozzy's son Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. Floral tributes to the rock star first displayed at the public memorial in Birmingham yesterday were on show for the intimate farewell. Goodwill messages have continued to pour in for Osbourne, who died aged 76 last week - and had spoken in the past about his wishes for a lack of funeral fuss. Speaking in in 2011 about how he imagined his future send-off, the Black Sabbath legend said: 'I honestly don't care what they play at my funeral - they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and 'We Are The Diddymen' if it makes 'em happy. But I do want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest.' The funeral cortege yesterday was led by a live brass band, Bostin' Brass, who performed versions of Black Sabbath songs such as Iron Man, as thousands of tearful devotees lined the streets and sang along in Ozzy's memory. Today, marquees and a music stage had been erected next to pond where the private tributes were paid at his home. Guests were seated under huge awnings due to the rain showers that had fallen earlier in the day - while catering facilities, with their own generators, were provided in the garden. A huge security operation was in place from early this morning to ensure the ceremony was strictly invitation only, in accordance with widow Sharon's wishes. A team of bodyguards and private security dog handlers patrolled the perimeter of the estate and traffic marshals directed traffic through the narrow country lane leading to the Osbourne estate. However, diehard fans did leave flowers outside the gates to their rock idol. Ozzy had spoken in 2011 about his funeral intentions, telling the Times: 'I want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest. 'I'd also like some pranks - maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin, or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of 'death'. 'There'll be no harping on the bad times. It's worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives. 'So by any measure, most of us in this country - especially rock stars like me - are very lucky. That's why I don't want my funeral to be sad - I want it to be a time to say, 'Thanks'.' And he wrote in his autobiography I Am Ozzy, published in 2010: 'Eventually death will come, like it comes to everyone. 'I've said to Sharon: 'Don't cremate me, whatever you do.' I want to be put in the ground, in a nice garden somewhere, with a tree planted over my head. 'A crabapple tree, preferably, so the kids can make wine out of me and get p***ed out of their heads.
The Guardian
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Elton John and Spin̈al Tap release new version of Stonehenge – and correct stage prop disaster
Elton John and Spin̈al Tap have joined forces on a new version of the band's song Stonehenge – and have finally corrected one of the great scenery-based mishaps in classic rock. The song, performed in the 1984 rock-mockumentary This Is Spin̈al Tap, is at the heart of one of the film's most cherished scenes: when the band, having made a mistake when commissioning an 18ft Stonehenge stage prop, have to make do with an 18in version being lowered from the rafters. After some hired dwarves caper around it, the band's David St Hubbins complains that they looked likely to crush it underfoot. No such problems with the new version made for the long-awaited sequel Spın̈al Tap II: The End Continues, which will be released 12 September in the US and UK (and 25 September in Australia). In the scene, released today along with a recording of the song on streaming services, the band put in a considerably more triumphant performance, complete with full-sized standing stones and the return of the dwarves. Appearing in a cloak from beneath the stage is Elton John, who takes over the lead vocal, singing lyrics such as 'Stonehenge, where a man's a man / and the children dance to the pipes of Pan' with the requisite po-faced grandeur. John is one of a number of starry cameos in the film, along with Paul McCartney, Questlove, Metallica's Lars Ulrich and more. Michael McKean reprises his role as St Hubbins alongside Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel and Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls, heading up a supporting cast filled with British comedy stars such as Nina Conti, Chris Addison and Kerry Godliman. The film will have the documentary film-maker Marty DiBergi (played by Rob Reiner) following the group as they prepare for a final reunion show. The first trailer was released earlier this week. An accompanying soundtrack album has also been announced. Elton John will appear again on Flower People, while McCartney joins them for Cups and Cakes, and country music couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood perform Big Bottom.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spinal Tap Welcome Elton John For Rebuilt ‘Stonehenge'
Spinal Tap gets a glorious do-over of its disastrous 'Stonehenge' performance from the original 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap during the movie's upcoming sequel, this time with a little help from Elton John. The artists' new take on the cut is the lead track from the soundtrack to Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, due Sept. 12 from Interscope in tandem with the film's theatrical release. In an accompanying video, John (wearing a druid cloak, naturally) and his grand piano are seen emerging from beneath the stage to accompany Spinal Tap members David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) during a raucous live concert. This time, the stage prop Stonehenge monument has been built in the proper dimensions (18 feet tall, rather than 18 inches) and the band is able to complete the performance without major embarrassment. More from Spin: Foo Fighters Tap Nine Inch Nails' Ilan Rubin As New Drummer IDLES Record Score, New Tracks For Darren Aronofsky's 'Caught Stealing' Rare Jeff Buckley Live Footage To Screen With New Doc As previously reported, The End Continues features numerous real-life music stars, including Paul McCartney, who lends a hand on a remake of Spinal Tap's 'Cups and Cakes,' and Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who help enliven 'Big Bottom.' John also guests on a fresh take on 'Flower People,' which in the film's mythology was a hippy-dippy 1967-era early Spinal Tap single in a Beatles style — or, prior to St. Hubbins, Tufnel and Guest being christened 'one of England's loudest bands.' Spinal Tap director/co-writer Rob Reiner announced in 2022 that he and the principal cast of the peerless mockumentary were reuniting for a sequel. The plot is based around the now-septuagenarian Tap reforming to fulfill a contractual obligation with their late manager Ian Faith (Tony Hendra, who portrayed the character in the original film, died in 2021). Here is the track list for The End Continues: 1. 'Nigel's Poem'2. 'Let's Just Rock Again'3. 'Flower People' with Elton John4. 'Brighton Rock'5. 'The Devil's Just Not Getting Old'6. 'Cups and Cakes' with Paul McCartney7. 'I Kissed a Girl'8. 'Angels'9. 'Big Bottom' with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood10. 'Judge and Jury'11. 'Rockin' in the Urn'12. 'Blood To Let'13. 'Stonehenge' with Elton John To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. Solve the daily Crossword
