Latest news with #Pinner
Scoop
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Scoop
First Big Taste Of Winter Prompts Warning To Motorists
Potentially heavy snowfalls in the South Island have the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) urging motorists to exercise caution, especially at higher elevations, and to avoid travel where possible in hazardous conditions. Metservice says heavy snow is possible in Canterbury from tomorrow above 300m, or possibly lower, through until Thursday, with potential for travel disruption and damage to trees and powerlines. Those planning to travel through SH73 Porters Pass to Otira (Arthurs Pass), SH7 Lewis Pass, or SH8 Burkes Pass to Twizel, are encouraged to check before setting off and plan for any potential disruption. With large parts of the state highway network across the central and lower South Island being at higher elevations, NZTA System Manager Mark Pinner says motorists need to be prepared and to follow good winter driving habits. 'It's not just snow on the ground that is a potential hazard, it's heavy frosts and ice where the danger may not be as visible. People need to remember to adjust their speed to suit the conditions, to increase their following distances and use their headlights to be seen.' 'If you can avoid or delay travel on roads while there is elevated risk, that's sensible. Stay up to date on the latest reports about the State Highway network by visiting our Journey Planner,' Mr Pinner says. 'We'll be getting the best advice from the Metservice on how the weather is likely to unfold, and we'll be doing our best to keep the highways open and safe for motorists through this cold snap. Being prepared with warm clothing, snacks and water and other supplies in case of delays is always a smart move.' Heavy rain is forecast to affect Fiordland, and Buller, Grey and Westland Districts between Karamea and Harihari tomorrow, and drivers in those areas are also urged to take care on the roads, plan ahead and be prepared.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
25 Great Elton John Songs That Shaped His Legacy
Singer Elton John has some of the most iconic hits in history. Sir Elton Hercules John is one of the most popular singers ever, selling more than 300 million albums, earning a career Emmy-Grammy-Oscar-Tony and releasing more than 50 top-40 hits. Elton John music usually includes a piano—he's a piano whiz—and achieves a rare balance of critical and commercial success. The best Elton John songs, such as 'Candle in the Wind' and 'Rocket Man,' blend distinctive vocals with powerful messages. John grew up in Pinner, Middlesex, England, where he learned to play his grandmother's piano, and left school at 17 to pursue a musical career, finding songwriting partner Bernie Taupin in 1967. This list of greatest Elton John songs includes the highlights of his career as well as a few lesser-known gems. Elton John makes pop rock music, with a dash of glam rock and blues. He released his first album, Empty Sky, in 1969, and his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour (2018–2023) set a record (since surpassed) for highest gross. Is Elton John still making music? Yes—in 2025, he collaborated on the new studio album Who Believes in Angels with Brandi Carlile. He has released 32 studio albums. This list is based on the songs' songwriting prowess, commercial success, cultural impact, awards and critical acclaim. If you're looking for a song that demonstrates John's talent with the piano, look no further than this elegy from Diving Board. It pays tribute to the veterans of the Greatest Generation and was written with Taupin; both men said they adore this song. It wasn't released as a single, but the album sold well. Off the acclaimed Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album, 'Roy Rogers' is an underrated song celebrating simpler times. It offers reminders of the heroes we worshipped as children and gets to the universal truth that we all want to feel loved, comforted and safe, as we presumably would with a cowboy like Roy Rogers. John has so many rousing songs you want to stand up and dance to, like this one. 'Philadelphia Freedom' became one of the first disco hits, paying tribute to the titular city. (Fun fact: Billie Jean King requested the song from John, who's a close friend.) It hit No. 1 and went platinum. 'Mellow' from Honky Château marks another collaboration with Taupin (written about his first wife, also the inspiration for 'Tiny Dancer'). Rolling Stone called it John's 'sexiest song,' which talks of 'wreckin' the sheets.' It wasn't released as a single but has received heaps of praise on an album that hit No. 1. John croons about loneliness and wishing he was with his person on this hit with Taupin-penned lyrics from Too Low for Zero. The song reached No. 4 on Billboard and hit the top 10 in five other countries. It's also one of the notable Elton John songs in movies (Peter's Friends). Speaking of popular Elton John movie songs—this one from The Lion King earned an Academy Award for Best Song and reached No. 4 on Billboard. John also won a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and a Golden Globe for Best Song-Motion Picture. The song narrates the growing affection between Simba and Nala. Elton John and Tim Rice attend the 67th Annual Academy Awards ceremony March 27, 1995 in Los ... More Angeles, where they won Best Song. This soul song, which Aretha Franklin covered two years later on Young, Gifted and Black, became John's first song to chart in the U.S. It showcases his piano skills and, once again, was co-written with Taupin. The song closes with the (alas still relevant) prayer, 'He's my brother/Let us live in peace.' This smash became John's first No. 1 hit in the UK. He performed the duet with Motown singer Kiki Dee, a fellow Brit, and the two embraced the camp of the song just enough to make it fun. Taupin and John, who co-wrote the tune under pseudonyms, meant it as a tribute to Motown. A rock song from Caribou, John's second album, 'The Bitch Is Back' stemmed from a joke Taupin's first wife made about the singer's moods. It became a top-five hit in the U.S. and his sixth No. 1 in Canada, though some radio stations refused to play it because of the word 'bitch.' A rock song from Jump Up, John's 16th album, 'Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)' paid tribute to late friend John Lennon, who was murdered in 1981. John called performing with Lennon at Madison Square Garden in 1974 the greatest moment of his career, and he rarely sings the song live because it is too painful. John Lennon (right) makes a surprise appearance at a concert by Elton John at Madison Square Garden, ... More New York City, 28th November 1974. This Taupin-John effort from Honky Château was inspired by the singer's first trip to New York City, when he heard a gun fire. It also pays tribute to Ben E. King's 'Spanish Harlem.' John has said the song, which went gold, is one of his own favorites, and he later recorded a sequel to it. A pop song with orchestral backing, 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me' off of Caribou rose to No. 1 on the charts, with backup vocals sung by three of the Beach Boys. The song went gold and earned Grammy nods for Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance—Male. Davey Johnstone's guitar genius is on prime display in this song from the album of the same name. Taupin's lyrics, which John belts with passion, follow a public persona falling into a chasm. Many speculated it was about then-President Richard Nixon, but the songwriter denied that. The album has gone four times platinum. Too Low for Zero produced this toe-tapping hit, which reached No. 12 in the U.S. and No. 1 in Canada, boosted by a popular music video. The two-times-platinum song included catchy lyrics like, 'You know, I'm still standin' better than I ever did/Lookin' like a true survivor, feelin' like a little kid.' Off the album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, this highly personal song details John's suicide attempt and runs 6 minutes, 45 seconds. The singer refused attempts to shorten the song for radio airplay, and he was right—it reached No. 4 with gorgeous lyrics like 'And butterflies are free to fly.' Elton John and David Furnish attend the The CAA Pre-Oscar Party at Sunset Tower Hotel on March 10, ... More 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Another track from Madman, the five-times platinum single 'Tiny Dancer' contrasts the women of the U.S. with those of the UK, where writer Taupin and John came from, focusing on Taupin's first wife. The signature hit is long (over six minutes) and was banned by some radio stations for the mention of 'Jesus freaks.' This two-song medley, the opening to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, combines an opening instrumental with pop rock. Though they weren't originally envisioned to go together, they fit nicely as symbols of death segueing into a breakup diatribe. Rolling Stone ranks the song No. 6 on its list of best Elton John songs. This song clearly establishes John as one of the most versatile '70s artists. As John himself pointed out, it sounded nothing like his earlier music, and he initially didn't want to release it as a single in the U.S. But it was successful, hitting No. 1 on Billboard and going top-20 on soul charts. 'Levon wears his war wound like a crown' opens this powerful song about a wealthy kid who dreams of escaping his restrictive family. (It is not, contrary to popular belief, about The Band frontman Levon Helm.) While 'Levon' only reached No. 24, its incredible orchestral arrangement has prompted critics to elevate the song. This ballad referencing The Wizard of Oz ranks among Rolling Stone's top 500 songs of all time and went two-times platinum, reaching No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 1 in Canada. Taupin has said the song expresses a yearning for simplicity and returning to his roots. John included it in most of his concerts. Recording artist Sir Elton John gestures to the audience after performing the song "Tiny Dancer" ... More during a stop of the Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour at Allegiant Stadium. Recorded as a prelease to Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, the fun, flouncy 'Crocodile Rock' became John's first No. 1 in the U.S. and went platinum. The lyrics examine and pay tribute to early rock artists, and John plays a Farfisa organ as well as doing the falsetto backing vocals. Glam rock at its best, 'Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)' details the narrator's plan to have fun and let loose with his friends: 'It's getting late have you seen my mates/Ma tell me when the boys get here.' Johnstone's guitar playing stands out on this platinum-certified song, which hit No. 12. A ballad that opens with a simple yet gorgeous piano riff, 'Young Song' became John's first international hit and remains one of the most beloved love songs ever recorded. 'And you can tell everybody this is your song,' John croons to his lover. The song entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. The lead release from Honky, 'Rocket Man' helped define John as one of the most popular '70s songs and, later, the title of his biopic. The five-times platinum song hit No. 2 and has been streamed more than 1 billion times on Spotify. It was inspired by the Ray Bradbury short story 'The Rocket Man.' John rerecorded his 1973 hit 'Candle in the Wind' in 1997 as a tribute to his dear friend Princess Diana and played it at her funeral. It was wildly successful. John's most recent No. 1 single held the spot for 14 weeks and became the No. 2 single of all time behind Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas.' Bottom Line A gifted artist who has also given much of his time to AIDS charities and other causes, Elton John has contributed more than just amazing music to the world. The works on this list represent his best work, but you can never go wrong with any John song. How Many Albums Has Elton John Released? Elton John has released 32 studio albums. They are: 1. Empty Sky (1969)2. Elton John (1970)3. Tumbleweed Connection (1970)4. Madman Across the Water (1971)5. Honky Château (1972)6. Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973)7. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)8. Caribou (1974)9. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)10. Rock of the Westies (1975)11. Blue Moves (1976)12. A Single Man (1978)13. Victim of Love (1979)14. 21 at 33 (1976)15. The Fox (1981)16. Jump Up! (1981)17. Too Low for Zero (1983)18. Breaking Hearts (1985)19. Ice on Fire (1984)20. Leather Jackets (1986)21. Reg Strikes Back (1988)22. Sleeping with the Past (1989)23. The One (1992)24. Made in England (1995)25. The Big Picture (1997)26. Songs from the West Coast (2001)27. Peachtree Road (2004)28. The Captain & The Kid (2006)29. The Diving Board (2012)30. Wonderful Crazy Night (2016)31. Regiment Sgt. Zippo (2021)32. Who Believes In Angels? (2025) What Elton John Songs Have Been Featured In Movies? Elton John songs that have been featured in movies include: "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," "Already," "Keys to the Kingdom" and more from The Lion King. From The Road to El Dorado, "Queen of Cities," "El Dorado," "The Panic in Me" and more. "Hello, Hello" and "Love Builds A Garden" from Gnomeo and Juliet, and 'Electricity' from Billy Elliot. Is Elton John Still Making Music Today Yes, he continues to make music, most recently releasing an album with Brandi Carlile (Who Believes In Angels). He finished touring in 2023, closing out the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour after five years and 330 performances. He has said it will be his last tour.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
42nd ABW Mortuary Affairs Team practice thorough site recovery methods
Maxwell Air Force Base - Airmen from the 42nd Force Support Squadron recently participated in a search and recovery exercise on March 28, designed to simulate the aftermath of a tornado strike, preparing them for the emotional and technical demands of mortuary affairs. The three-hour exercise, held at the Maxwell-Gunter Annex's laser tag facility, featured four search zones filled with simulated debris, personal effects, and simulated human remains. Airmen worked in teams to locate, identify, tag, and recover items ranging from earrings to full-body mannequins. 'This particular exercise was if a tornado hit, Maxwell AFB and we had to basically search and recover people's remains,' said 2nd Lt. Shelby Pinner, 42nd FSS career development officer. 'We have very specific procedures and a way of doing it, and so we go out in teams.' More: A legacy of giving: Honoring Alabama native Herman Colvin's military service Pinner noted that while the scenario focused on a tornado, the training had broader applications. 'These skills are applicable in various situations, including aircraft incidents and other catastrophic events,' Pinner said. The exercise also emphasized the importance of documentation. Each find was carefully bagged, tagged, and recorded. 'You have to be specific but vague,' Pinner said. 'If you find a watch, you just say 'gold watch.' But when you're labeling body parts, you want to be a little more specific, so if you find a finger, you'd say, a digit.' The exercise was developed and led by Christine Bushby, 42nd FSS mortuary readiness and plans specialist, who has nearly 28 years of experience in the field. 'You have to be very meticulous,' Bushby said. 'You can come across remains, personal effects something that could potentially identify that person, if for whatever reason, they weren't visually identifiable or found.' Airmen donned Tyvek suits and personal protective equipment as they navigated a dim, obstacle-filled environment meant to mimic a real-world disaster scene. A classroom briefing, held the day before, covered anatomy, disaster mental health, bioenvironmental hazard assessments, bloodborne pathogens and mortuary procedures. 'You see a drawing or rendition of the body parts, but when you're actually searching, it's going to look a little bit different,' Bushby said. 'Debris may be covering it, or there may be damage or trauma to the tissue. So we have to be very meticulous, we ultimately want to recover as much as possible for the families.' Bushby, who has responded to major disasters including the 2011 and 2019 Alabama tornadoes, when working for the state, emphasized that the work can be emotionally taxing but profoundly meaningful. 'When they understand the bigger picture, that we are working to recover someone's loved one, someone's son or daughter they realize it's about something greater than themselves,' Bushby said. 'They start to think, if the roles were reversed, they'd want others to do the same for them.' More: Crusader of the Month at Maxwell AFB in Alabama: Senior Airman Joseph Rivera The exercise was observed by representatives from the 42nd Inspector General's office, who evaluated the teams adherence to mortuary affairs protocols and overall readiness. 'We kind of push the limits to see how uncomfortable we can get but still do our jobs,' Bushby said. 'Commanders should be able to feel confident that we are going to do something that nobody else is required to do and we are ready to perform.' 'The camaraderie built during the exercise was impactful because it was both lieutenants and everybody else,' Pinner said. 'It created that camaraderie for us in the Military Personnel Flight.' The 42nd Force Support Squadron conducts mortuary affairs training annually to ensure personnel remain proficient and mission-ready for real-world contingencies. 'We're the cradle to the grave,' said Bushby. 'People don't like to see me come out, but when things happen, I'm the point for that.' This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: 42nd ABW Mortuary Affairs Team practice thorough site recovery methods
Techday NZ
22-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Elevate NZ backs Pacific Channel Fund III with $10 million
Elevate NZ Venture Fund is making a $10 million follow-on investment into Pacific Channel's Fund III to support the expansion of deep-tech companies in New Zealand. Elevate was set up by the government to boost investment into high growth early-stage New Zealand companies and to advance the local venture capital ecosystem. Managed by NZ Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP), the fund recently secured a further $100 million allocation as part of the nation's latest Budget. James Pinner, Chief Investment Officer at NZGCP, commented on the renewed support for Pacific Channel. "Pacific Channel has progressed well since our initial investment into its previous fund and we're happy to be supporting them again with an investment into Fund III. Pacific Channel continues to support a diverse cohort of deep-tech companies from early-stage through the growth cycle," he said. He also highlighted developments within Pacific Channel's organisation and outlook. "We're also really encouraged by the continued development of the Pacific Channel team, evolution of their growth as a manager and the expansion of their offering including acceptance as a Callaghan Innovation Deep Tech Incubator. We are looking to back VC managers who are as ambitious as the start-ups they back so it's fantastic to see the investment they're making into building a deep team of experts and also their expansion into Australia through a separate Fund, which provides it with the capability to support even more diverse deep-tech start-ups," Pinner stated. Brent Ogilvie, Managing Partner at Pacific Channel, commented on the significance of the partnership and the direction of the fund. "This investment from Elevate recognises the strength of our partnership and shared commitment to building globally impactful New Zealand companies. With over $50 million already committed to Pacific Channel Fund III, we are well-positioned to continue identifying breakthrough technologies addressing critical global challenges, creating high-value jobs, and generating intellectual property that remains in New Zealand ownership." Ogilvie discussed Pacific Channel's track record and approach to investment. "Over the past 20 years, Pacific Channel has invested in more than 66 companies and achieved 11 successful exits, generating proven, high returns. Fund III continues this disciplined approach - delivering significant value to investors while commercialising world-class New Zealand science," he said. Elevate operates by co-investing into early-stage venture capital funds alongside matching levels of private capital. These funds subsequently invest directly into New Zealand growth businesses on a commercial basis. Launched in 2020, Elevate has now allocated $232 million across ten funds managed by seven separate fund managers. The fund has recently seen realisations from investments into Movac, GD1, Nuance, Hillfarrance and an earlier Pacific Channel fund, among others. These realisations serve as demonstrations of returns and portfolio development within the New Zealand ecosystem. In addition to Elevate, NZGCP also operates the Aspire Seed Fund, which invests directly into earlier stage companies, ranging from proof of concept to Seed and pre-Series A stages. This is typically in conjunction with private sector investors, including angel groups. Aspire has been operational in various formats since 2006, realising investments in companies such as Kami, Tradify, Yabble, and more recently Quantifi Photonics. The returns generated by Elevate and Aspire are indicative of the long-term nature of early-stage company investment and will be reinvested to support the next generation of New Zealand's growth companies.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Elevate Backs Pacific Channel With Follow-On Investment To Support Expansion
Press Release – Pacific Channel This investment from Elevate recognises the strength of our partnership and shared commitment to building globally impactful New Zealand companies. Elevate NZ Venture Fund is making a $10m follow-on investment into a new fund with one of its existing managers Pacific Channel. Elevate was established by Government to support investment into New Zealand high growth early-stage companies and to develop the local venture capital ecosystem. It is managed by NZ Growth Capital Partners and recently received a $100m top up as part of Budget 2025. 'Pacific Channel has progressed well since our initial investment into its previous fund and we're happy to be supporting them again with an investment into Fund III. Pacific Channel continues to support a diverse cohort of deep-tech companies from early-stage through the growth cycle,' says NZGCP Chief Investment Officer James Pinner. 'We're also really encouraged by the continued development of the Pacific Channel team, evolution of their growth as a manager and the expansion of their offering including acceptance as a Callaghan Innovation Deep Tech Incubator. We are looking to back VC managers who are as ambitious as the start-ups they back so it's fantastic to see the investment they're making into building a deep team of experts and also their expansion into Australia through a separate Fund, which provides it with the capability to support even more diverse deep-tech start-ups,' says Pinner. Pacific Channel Managing Partner, Brent Ogilvie says, 'This investment from Elevate recognises the strength of our partnership and shared commitment to building globally impactful New Zealand companies. With over $50 million already committed to Pacific Channel Fund III, we are well-positioned to continue identifying breakthrough technologies addressing critical global challenges, creating high-value jobs, and generating intellectual property that remains in New Zealand ownership.' 'Over the past 20 years, Pacific Channel has invested in more than 66 companies and achieved 11 successful exits, generating proven, high returns. Fund III continues this disciplined approach – delivering significant value to investors while commercialising world-class New Zealand science,' says Ogilvie. Elevate was set up to help boost New Zealand's growth and productivity by investing into early-stage venture capital funds alongside matching levels of private capital. Those funds then invest directly into New Zealand growth businesses on a purely commercial basis. Elevate was launched in 2020 and with this new commitment has allocated $232m into ten funds run by seven different fund managers. It has recently seen realisations from investments into Movac, GD1, Nuance, Hillfarrance and Pacific Channel's earlier fund. NZGCP also operates the Aspire Seed Fund which invests directly into earlier stage companies (from proof of concept to Seed and pre-Series A stages) alongside private sector investors including angel investor groups. Aspire has been operating in various guises since 2006 and has had several realisations from its portfolio of investments including Kami, Tradify, Yabble and recently Quantifi Photonics. Returns to Elevate and Aspire reflect the long-term nature of investing in early-stage companies and will be recycled into further investing for New Zealand's future growth companies.
