inside this issue - Hercules International Elton John Fan Club · inside this issue: Review of our ... The Elton John Fan Club ... SONGS FROM THE WEST COAST Elton told a French newspaper

June 2001 Issue No: 55

since 1988

THE MAG

inside this issue:

Review of our2001 conventionat the CavernClub in March

PLUS:

News, Trivia,Quizzes,Your Letters & more!

Hercules. The Elton John Fan Club2

Annual membership fee for the UK is £14 if paid byStanding Order/VISA/Mastercard. By Cheque/PostalOrder it is £15. For the rest of Europe it is £14, andfor the USA it is 17£/US$30. Please note that yourrenewal date is printed on your address label inEuropean format day/month/year.

Membership passes are available from your localHERCULES department: send a small photo ofyourself when requesting your pass.

Please don't send enquiries or fan mail to the EltonJohn management, but to HERCULES Coordination.Letters will be passed on if necessary.

HERCULES is a quarterly publication released inMarch, June, September and December. In event ofcircumstances beyond our control, there is noguarantee for punctual shipment. It is published inEnglish and German.

Printed articles do not necessarily reflect the editors'opinions. All information is based on the best ofknowledge and belief. Reproductions permitted onlyby prior arrangement with HERCULES.

Member participation is always welcome. We arethankful for your submissions of any kind: reports,articles, photos, drawings, and suggestions. Pleasesend them to the Editor, David Wright. Pleaseunderstand that we cannot always publish allcontributions. All photos will be returned.

UK Hotline 0906 888 20 20 (60p per minute)USA/Canada Hotline 815/293 3843Web site http://www.eltonfan.net

COPYRIGHT: HERCULES

Deadline for Issue No.56 is 10 August 2001

No. 56 will be released September 2001

FAN CLUB INFORMATION

Fanzine of the Elton John Fan Club

Issue No. 55JUNE 2001

Hercules is a registered memberof the National Association ofFan Clubs

THE MAG

CONTENTSFEATURESElton & Billy in Chicago

Concert report ..............8John Jorgrnson -

an emotional concert..9Roger Pope

talks about his earlyyears with Elton ..........12

Kiki Deechats to George Matlock ........................14

Blues for My Baby & MeStewart A Brown & Mick Inkpen ................16

School Report 2Schoolday memories of fan Judy Williams 18

Clive LivePart 4 of our exclusiveinterview with CliveFranks ..........................20

Dieter Grahamtalks about his Elton act ......................22

Sweet Painted Ladytalking tattoos..............24

OFFERS, PROMOS &CONVENTIONSLiverpool Convention

Reviewed ....................10Kiki Dee

signed CD offer ..........15

REGULARSClub Information ............2Kaleidoscope Eyes ........25Letters to the Editor......12Lyric Quiz..........................7News Bullets ....................4Small ads ........................27Tour Dates ......................27

HERCULES Chief Editor David Wright100 Winkworth Road, BansteadSurrey SM7 2QR, [email protected]

Assistant Editor:Tammi LawEditorial Assistants:George Matlock, Barbara TurnerDesign: Turnstyle DesignTranslations:Sabine AsenkirschbaumerMireille MölbertFor subscription details, pleasewrite to your local HERCULESdepartment or to HERCULESCoordinaton:

HERCULES Coordinationc/o Stephan HeimbecherOrleansstr. 59D-81667 München, GERMANYTel. +49 (0)89 48900369Fax +49 (0)89 [email protected]

HERCULES Fan Adviserc/o Mireille MölbertZaunweg 11D-80805 München, GERMANYTel. +49 (0)89 [email protected]

HERCULES USA/Canadac/o Sharon KalinoskiP.O. Box 398La Grange, IL 60525, [email protected]

HERCULES U.K.c/o George MatlockP.O. Box 315RichmondSurrey TW9 3QX, UKFax: 0870 130 [email protected]

HERCULES Beneluxc/o Tim BlezerPastoor Pendersstraat 86262 PA banholtNetherlandsTel. +31 (0)43 [email protected]

HERCULES Italyc/o Luca ZerbiniVia Scheiwiller n.9/AI-20139 Milano, [email protected]

HERCULES FrancaisFrancoise Linden-GillesBP-22, B-4900 [email protected]

HERCULES NordicUrpu KallioUudenklänpolku05200 RajämakiFINLANDemail: [email protected]

Hello andwelcome

to anotherpacked issue.

The highlight of recent timesfor Hercules was our conventionat the Cavern Club in Liverpoolin March. This saw a reunion ofBluesology, the entertainingcompany of Roger Pope and awonderful performance by JohnJorgenson. Not only was GeorgeMatlock behind the organisationof the event, but he also stood infor Reg himself by playingkeyboards with Bluesology. Eltonneed not feel threatened but welldone, George – there’s not many

others who would have dared!Read John Michie’s personalaccount on page 10.

We have reports andinterviews with all our guestsfrom the Cavern.

Elton has kept himself in thenews as always, continuing totour with Billy Joel and solo, andselling an impressive collectionof cars – report and photos onpage 4.

We have the fourth and finalpart of George Matlock’s epicinterview with Clive Franks –read more on page 20.

Following on from last issue’sinterview with Dick Morgan, we

have caught up with another oldschool pal of Reg, Jud Williams.See page 18 for more.

Finally I must apologise forthe tardiness of this issue. Workcommitments have meant thedelay was unavoidable.Remember, Hercules is by thefans, for the fans and sometimesother pressures get in the way ofan enjoyable hobby. Thanks foryour patience.

Cheers!

Quarterly Fanzine. Issue 55. June 2001. 3

FROM THE EDITOR...

SAD NEWSJust a few days after his 50th

birthday there was shocking newsfor Davey Johnstone as he learnedabout the sudden death of nine-year old son, Oliver, whileperforming with Elton and Billy inChicago on May 7. Elton, who wasvisibly shaken up, announced it atthe show just before he did Candlein the Wind. Davey was absent forthe final part of the show. OliverJohnstone drowned in theswimming pool of the family homein California.

Hercules sent its heartfeltsympathies to Davey and hisfamily, and we passed yourmessages on which were sent tous. We received the followingfrom Davey:

To: Hercules Readers,From: Davey JohnstoneRe: Condolences for OliverKay and I have been deeply

moved by your statements of loveand support for our family in thisvery sad, difficult time. It'sincredible how such a tradgedycan change so many peoples lives,but thanks to our dear friends, weare trying to find a way to dealwith our pain, so that maybesomeday the pain will become apart of our everyday life. We willmiss Oliver so much! Thank youagain for your kindness.

Love, Davey

The sale of the biggest evercollection of a celebrity's carswas held in at auctioneersChristie's in London on June 5,2001, when Elton auctioned 20of his prestige collection. The 20cars up for sale went for a totalof £1.705 million, plus Londonauctioneer Christie'scommission, which took the finalfigure to £1,951,725(US$2,749,981). Buyers forElton's fleet of cars wereworldwide, but the right-handdrive of most of the cars meantmost went to UK buyers,Christie's deputy chairmanDermot Chichester told a newsconference after the auction, towhich Hercules was invited. He

confirmed there was interestfrom football personalities, butnone from the Royal Family.

The highest bids were mostlyfor the older limos, but thehighest price was struck, withcommission, for the Jaguar XJ2201993 model which went for£234,750 (US$330,763). Only80 were ever produced of thismodel. The price estimate hadbeen £130,000 to £160,000.

Elton's 1973 Rolls-RoycePhantom VI Limousine, the onewith the 36-speaker stereo Hi-Fi,was the next highest, at£223,750. It's estimate was£110,000 to £150,000. The 1987Bentley Turbo R Four DoorSaloon, which carried GianniVersace, but also Elton to Diana,Princess of Wales' funeral in1997, went for £49,350, farexceeding the estimate of£18,000 to £25,000. At thenews conference, Elton phonedfrom Atlanta to say he wasthrilled with the result, andrealised there was a "lot ofmoney to be made in second-hand cars"!

A spokesperson for Christiessaid that Elton made the decisionto sell the cars before his costlyHigh Court hearing and that itwas unconnected with his legalcosts.

FACE-TO-FACE TOUR CONTINUESElton and Billy continued their

Face-to-Face tour with a Southernflavour in Atlanta on April 24. AsElton is a part time Atlantaresident - he spoke about severallocal things/places/friends, andhow he usually comes back toAtlanta after most of his concertsin the eastern US. During YourSong, Elton used his best southernaccent, changing the lyrics to say'This One's for y'all', drawing ahuge response from the crowd.The Face-to-Face tour is nowfinished for the time being, butwe hope that more dates will beannounced soon. In themeantime, Elton continues hisSolo tour in Europe this summer(see page 27 for details).

VIENNA LIFE BALLElton declared Vienna's ninth

annual Life Ball a success, afteropening the event on June 18th.He made a speech at the gala,one of Europe's biggest Aidscharity events, and accepted acheque for £250,000 for his Aidsfoundation to support projects inAfrica. He said: "We have to lookreality in the eye. Aids affects notonly the health of individuals, butalso the economy, politics andsociety itself."

NB Pic available of EJaccepting the cheque

FAN TO MEET ELTONOne lucky concert goer at

Elton’s show in the Baltic state ofLatvia will get to meet Elton justbefore the show - just for having thewinning concert ticket. Elton isscheduled to arrive in Latvia byprivate plane from his mansion inNice on July 21, two hours aheadof the concert in Skonto Stadium.


Full details of the following news items have appeared on our Website and Hotline

HEAVY TRAFFICElton auctions 20 of his prestige car collection at Christies


ELTON PERFORMED AT PRIVATE PARTY

Elton played a private concertin Austin, Texas, on June 2 for Dellexecutive Mort Topfer and his wifeon their anniversary. There were140 guests for which Elton playeda near 2 hour solo show. Everyonewas stunned when the "veryspecial guest performer" wasannounced to be Sir Elton John.Speculation in a local newspapersaid that it cost the executive overUS$1.2 million.

SONGS FROM THE WEST COASTElton told a French newspaper

that the new studio album, Songsfrom the West Coast, will bereleased in September 2001.Elton and Bernie have writtenand recorded 20+ songs invarious sessions over the past sixmonths. According to Eltonhimself, twelve songs will makeit on the album which hedescribed as "pop rock", andsimilar in style to MadmanAcross The Water. The releasedate has since been reported asOctober 2001.

COURT CASE APPEAL LATESTElton was refused permission

to appeal a ruling against him inhis recent multi-million poundbattle over touring costs on June6. A judge in the High Court inLondon rejected Elton's £14million claim in April, landingElton with an estimated £8million legal bill. The samejudge, Mr Justice Ferris, said hewas not satisfied an appeal"would have any real prospect ofsuccess". Elton's legal team canstill make a further applicationfor permission to appeal directlyto the Court of Appeal, but it isnot yet clear whether Elton willpursue this. The application forpermission to appeal related onlyto PricewaterhouseCoopers.

QUIZ SHOW EXITElton pulled out of UK TVs

screening of Have I Got NewsFor You at the last minute - andwas replaced by Hercules'lookalike: Ray Johnson, who wasintroduced as "Elton John". Afterround one, captions flashed upon the screen saying, "It's NotReally Elton John" and "EltonJohn was booked yesterday buthe pulled out - bastard". Have IGot News For You spokeswomansaid: "It was just a bit of fun."

According to reports, Eltonpulled out of the show at the lastminute because of exhaustion.His spokesman said: "Elton'sbeen on the road constantly thisyear and has also been spendingtime in the studio. He gets tiredjust like everyone else." Elton hassince spoken about plans to takepart in the next series. "I reallydon't know what all the fuss wasabout and why people got sostroppy. I was ill at the very lastminute so they couldn't get areplacement," he said, adding: "Inany case, I'm going to do theshow in September."

EL DORADO VIDEOElton and Tim Rice’s animated

movie The Road to El Dorado isavailable on video and DVD inUK shops, from the beginning ofMay.

CHARITY FASHION GALAElton joined old friend

Donatella Versace, Mick Jaggerand a host of supermodels at acharity fashion event on June 10.The Prince of Wales attended thegala evening at WaddesdonManor in Buckinghamshire,England, in aid of the MacmillanCancer Relief charity. Elton wasbooed by photographers as heentered the event, as he wasrunning late and didn’t have timeto stop and pose for photos.

ELTON AT THE THEATREElton was among guests at the

opening of the Pet Shop Boys'new West End musical on May30. Closer To Heaven is the firsttheatre attempt for thesongwriters, who Elton countsamong his good friends. Themusical is a tale of sex, drugsand rock-and-roll in Londonclubland. Elton attended theperformance at London's ArtTheatre with David, and saidafterwards: "I thought it wasabsolutely brilliant. I thought itwas one of the most incrediblenights I have had at the theatrefor a long time. It has greatmusic, a great story and greatperformances, I would give it 11out of 10," he added.

DAVID IS "ONE TO KNOW"David Furnish was voted

amongst the best connectedpeople in Britain, according to asurvey in the June 2001 editionof society magazine Harpers andQueen. He came in at 10thplace; however there was nomention of Elton!

NEW NIGEL OLSSON ALBUMNigel's latest project, Move

the Universe, featuring theJapanese singer i, along withKai Olsson and Kiki Dee, is duefor release in Japan on July 4.You should be able to pre-orderit at any of the followingwebsites: www.CDJapan.co.jp,www.Gemm.com, orwww.CDEurope.com. There isno release date scheduled forthe rest of the world, but wehope to be able to bring younews of that soon. The albumfeatures an outtake from Elton'sMade In England album calledBuilding a Bird.

CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE?Elton is set to star in a

Christmas Special of UK TVschildren’s programme Bob TheBuilder for BBC1, to be shownon Christmas Eve. ‘Bob’ will alsorecord a version of CrocodileRock with Elton in a bid to getthis year's Christmas No 1. Bob,voiced by actor Neil Morrissey,will get together with EJ later thisyear to record the 1972 hit. TheChristmas Special TV programmewill feature the Crocodile Rocktrack. Elton will also provide thevoice for an animated Elton. Thestoryline is top secret but it isbelieved Bob is called on to helpElton win back his confidence.Neil told us: "We've just done aChristmas special show withElton, Noddy Holder and ChrisEvans, which is fantastic." Elton'sspokesman confirmed he hadbeen recording for the Christmasshow in May.

NEW ELTON BOOK IN SEPTEMBERHis Song: The Musical

Journey Of Elton John, byHercules member Elizabeth J.Rosenthal, will be published byBillboard Books in September2001. The book is beingpublished in the United States.The book will also be distributedby Windsor Books in October2001 in the UK and parts ofEurope. As the first biography ofElton's entire career, His Songprofiles all the albums and toursand explains Elton's artistic upsand downs.

YOUR SONG IN HIT FILMHit film Moulin Rouge

features actor Ewan McGregorsinging Your Song, in full. Hewas given the stamp of approvalby Elton, Director Baz Luhrmannsaid: "Elton had to approve thesong for Ewan. He said, 'Oh, myGod, he's a real singer!'"

ONE NIGHT ONLY ON VIDEO

Footage from "One NightOnly" is now available on videoin the US. The tape featuresElton's performance of greatesthits, recorded at New York'sMadison Square Garden onOctober 20 and 21, 2000.

NEW VENICE APARTMENTUK newspaper The Mirror

disclosed in May that Elton andDavid have bought a grandapartment overlooking theGrand Canal in Venice. Weunderstand that Elton gave thego-ahead for the purchase onthe day he was told that he hadlost his High Court claim fordamages. David reportedlyseemed grumpy when TheMirror called to congratulatehim on his new home. "How didyou know about this? It'ssupposed to be secret. It's noteven been bought in Elton'sname." So was it bought in thename of David Furnish? "I'm notsaying."

RENATE IN THE PRESS The British Press Complaints

Commission upheld a complaintagainst the Sunday Mirrornewspaper on April 24, forpublishing the address of Elton’sex-wife, Renate. But the PCCrejected complaints from Renatethat the article, headlined "Sad,lonely life of the woman wholoved and lost Elton John",represented an invasion of herprivacy, harassment andmisrepresentation. The article,published in June 2000, wasaccompanied by photos of MsBlauel in a gas petrol stationforecourt. For the full newspaperarticle, minus the addressreferences, see our website atwww.eltonfan.net

FOOTBALL NEWSElton spoke of his delight at

bringing Gianluca Vialli in as thenew manager at Watford FootballClub, after the retirement ofGraham Taylor. Speaking in May,Elton said "I am incrediblyexcited that we have appointedLuca and his team," said Elton."But following Graham Taylor isdifficult as Graham is a legend."

HEIRS AND GRACES Elton is a fan of Mayor of

Plattsburgh, New York State,Daniel Stewart, reported thePlattsburgh Press-Republicannewspaper on May 7. Just aheadof his concert with Billy inMontreal, Canada, Eltonsurprised Stewart and a friend byoffering them free, front-rowtickets to the show. "This guycame directly up to us and gaveus these passes and said, 'MayorStewart, this is compliments fromElton,'" said Stewart, who is thefirst openly gay mayor elected inNew York state.

JOHN JORGENSON RETURNSJohn Jorgenson filled in for

Davey Johnstone as Davey flewback home on May 7 after theshocking news about his son.According to fans that have beento the second Chicago show,John performed very well asDavey sound&act-alike. Theshow started with Elton singingHappy Birthday to Billy whoturned 52 that day.

ELTON ON US TVOn July 4, 2001, U.S.

television TNT will broadcast anall-star tribute to Brian Wilson,featuring Elton, David Crosby,Vince Gill, Billy Joel, RickyMartin, Carly Simon, Paul Simon,Matthew Sweet and many others,according to official reports.


Full details of the following news items have appeared on our Website and Hotline


AUCTION LET-DOWNA jumpsuit owned by Elton

failed to sell at all in an Internetauction held on April 21, 2001.The rhinestone jumpsuit didn'tmeet its $10,000 reserve price.

UK TV APPEARANCEElton was the main guest on

chat show So Graham Norton,Channel 4 on March 7th. On anotoriously risqué show, Grahamand Elton didn’t let us down,with many saucy personalstories, and a gift for Elton of afootball complete with a man’sgenitals!

FIGHT WITH A PHOTOGRAPHER?It has been reported that Elton

was involved in a bust-up with acameraman outside trendyLondon restaurant, The Ivy, inMarch. Elton was said to befurious at having his picturetaken and began hurling abuse atthe photographer, while hispartner David split the two upand got Elton safely into therestaurant. Elton was alsoattending the nearby Ritz Hotelfor a party he hosted to celebratehis birthday. An onlooker said:"Elton got out of the car and thenjust went mad. He was annoyedat having his picture taken andhurled abuse at the snapper."Tempers hadn't cooled whenElton left the restaurant - the pairexchanged words again.

SATURDAY NIGHT WAS ALRIGHTRising star Anastacia played to

a sell-out crowd in London on 9June. During the encore shespoke of the highlight of hercareer so far; dueting with Eltonat Madison Square garden lastOctober. "I can’t remember beingon stage but the man kissed mynavel!" Fulfilling the hopes of twoHercules members in theaudience she went on to performSaturday Night’s Alright ForFighting.

J U S T F O R F U N

1 Bulldog stubborn, born unevenA classless creature, a man for

all seasons

2 Frankenstein’s inside my mindAnd the wind’s inside my sails

3 It’s the same old feeling I getWhen you’re stealin’ back into

my bed again

4 This man holds a hand whichshows a tremble

This man that I live in bearshis faults

5 Is Memphis real or just a songThree thousand miles from

home

6 Staring out in black and whiteFrom the tall grey walls on the

other side

7 Look at me don’t you believeme

Cheating hangs a noosearound your neck

8 I ain’t no puzzle piece thatneeds to fit

If it takes more than me let’scall it quits

9 I’m a man working on theliving part of life

You see through me

10 Insane they took the paddlesMy arms they paralysed

11 Let me go back where youfound me

’Cause I miss my basement

12 Mack he’s got his Marlborostucked up in his sleeve

He’s shacked up in thebasement making PCP

Have a go at our popular lyric quiz.We give you a line - see if you can

name the song! (Answers on page 27)

LYRIC QUIZ

Photo: L Sykes

Photo: S Kalinoski

Photo: J Collins


Theannouncement

of 3 shows at theAllstate Arena inRosemont,Illinois, did NOTthrill me, due tothe exorbiant$175 regularticket price.$525+ to attend 3concerts? At thatrate it is almostcheaper to fly toHawaii or Europeand see a few EJ-only shows ! So, Iinitially plannedon seeing only 1or 2 of theseshows near myhome.

Due to somefortunate twists of fate, I ended upseeing all 3 without busting mybudget. Though the set lists andantics did not vary much, Irealized early into the first showthat I had to go to the secondshow. Why? First, because I hadto hear EJ's version of "Just TheWay You Are" again, since it wasmuch better than Billy's. (Noapologies.) Also, because of theexcellent rendition of "All theGirls Love Alice"; the EJ bandreally rocked. I missed JohnJorgenson's guitar on this, but BobBirch's bass stood out for achange.

Since the tour opening on theWest Coast, several songs hadbeen dropped from the set: about2 each of Elton's, Billy's, and fromtheir joint end-of-show jam. TheChicago shows were very nearly3.5 hours long even with 6

missing songs.Near the end of the first

(Monday night) show, Elton madea startling announcement thatwould totally change the mood,and the rest of the tour. Before"Candle...", he told the crowd thatthe son of guitarist DaveyJohnstone (Oliver, age 9) had justdied in an accident that night.Fans were stunned. The next daywe found out that the boy haddrowned in a swimming pool athome in California.

I speculated that JohnJorgenson might be called upon tofill Davey's place for the rest ofthe shows. That turned out to bethe case, and it was great to see JJon stage again, but very sad that itwas due to a terrible tragedy. Johntold me that he promised Davey ,"he would ROCK and have fun forhim," even under the

circumstances.During the

final 2 Chicagoshows, Johnplayedspectacularly.Yes, the soundwas differentduring the guitarsolos---but in agood way,soundingenergetic andfresh. EJappeared to be"wowed" a fewtimes, and JJgradually gotmorecomfortablewandering overto the EJ side ofthe stage more

often. If Davey and John will beplaying together again, perhapsthey should sometimes take turnson stage so as not to coverup/drown out the other's playing.

Friday's show was acelebratory capstone to the week,the music triumphant overadversity. Elton dedicated it to theJohnstone family, and I could feelthat the whole band played theirhearts out in tribute.

Musically, Billy injected somesurprise instrumental tunes justbefore the final song: he startedwith Gershwin's "I've GotRhythm", Elton accompanying.Together, both followed with shortpieces of "The Sound of Music",and 3 or 4 other songs from theclassic film, for a crowd sing-a-long, before finally segueing intothe last "Piano Man." What aweek........!

By Sharon Kalinoski

Elton & Billy in Chicago, Elton & Billy in Chicago, May 7, 9 and 11, 2001

Phot

o: L

Syk

es


Elton John band-member JohnJorgenson strummed his

guitar, licked it tenderly andbrought out some of the city’sluminaries of music, when heperformed at The Borderlineclub in central London.

Before the show, there wereantics outside the doors whichremained firmly shut until gone8pm. JJ stepped outside toconduct an interview on a mobilephone. We wondered what sortof interview it was, as wewatched JJ walk over to a garbageskip and rummage in the pile.Several black polythene bagslater, JJ walked back with acream-coloured flex cable froman old electrical kettle, andremarked: "That will come inhandy. Just needs a clean."

The Hercules crowd thoughtthe interview was conducted withone Benjamin Pell, John Reid’sbin raker!

But John’s comment is typicalof this down-to-earth, warm andpersonable performer.

JJ was pleased to see theHercules fans, as was hisdrummer, former Elton bandmember Charlie Morgan, whocame over from the US to supportJJ’s first ever UK tour. He was alsojoined on stage by Badfinger's JeffRoss on keyboards and guitar,and a Glaswegian bass guitarist,Alan Thompson - tipped to playin a revival of Deacon Blue.

JJ performed songs from his

new album Emotional Savant,such as Jig in ‘D’, which JJinsisted he does play in ‘D’, aswell as tracks from The Beatles, inhis 1 hour-50-minute show.

JJ remarked after severalsongs, that he usually has anassistant that passes him newguitars on stage. "But this isn’t anElton John concert and so wedon’t have the budget. And thatdoesn’t include any missingmillions!"

JJ also referred to a musicfestival in France which he’svisited four times, on an idyllicisland on the River Seine at atown called Samois. He was soinspired by the friendly locals, hewrote a song about them, aWaltz, played in the traditionalrhythm by Charlie. The song wascalled Valse de Samois.

Among guest appearanceswere producer Gus Dudgeon andElton duet singer, the wonderfullyat-ease Kiki Dee, mingling withthe crowd and dancing to JJ’sperformance.

Several more The Beatlessongs followed, as JJ, who spokeof the fun playing Liverpool’sCavern Club last week on tour,sounded as though he’d never leftthe Cavern. Now he’s back!

AN EMOTIONAL CONCERT –JOHN JORGENSONGeorge Matlock reviews John’s The Borderline gig on Nov. 20, 2000. Adapted from a report on www.eltonfan.net

SNAP BIOG:Southern California native and a

three-time winner of the Academy ofCountry Music award for "Guitarist ofthe Year," John Jorgenson wasclassically trained as a child - hisfather conducted for BennyGoodman. John, who idolisedGoodman, even played with his hero.Later, John went on to work for eightyears as a member of the Jazz andBluegrass group at Disneyland. Whileemployed at the "happiest place onearth," John contributed his skills ona number of instruments includingmandolin, saxophone, guitar andclarinet. At another point in his career he was the featured bassoonistfor the L.A. Camerata. Yet it was

John’s guitar skills that brought himfame and respect as he recorded withthe Byrds, as well as Rose Maddox,Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, BonnieRaitt, Dan Fogelberg, and MichaelNesmith.

In 1986, John collaborated withWest Coast cream, forming a trulytraditional country-rock outfit calledthe Desert Rose Band. With therelease of their second project in1988, Running, they were named theAcademy of Country Music's "TouringBand of the Year." This honour wasrepeated in 1989 and 1990.

Despite major success, by 1992the band was fragmenting. Johnjoined the Hellecasters, a band thatcame together after a one-time-only

gig in 1991. Comprised of John andfellow Hellecasters Will Ray and JerryDonahue, the Hellecasters weremade up of three lead players and novocalist. The Return of theHellecasters, their debut recording,was voted both "Album of the Year"and "Country Album of the Year" in1993 by Guitar Player magazine. Asecond Hellecasters project in 1995,Escape from Hollywood, followed.John recorded and toured with EltonJohn during 1995, staying with theband until late 2000. His debut soloalbum Emotional Savant came in1999, and became available onAssassination Records in Europe in2000.


LIVERPOOL

March 24th 2001 was a datethat many Hercules

members had long hadpencilled in their diaries. Thiswas the day of the firstHercules InternationalConvention. The Herculeshierarchy hoped this would rivalthe U.S. Expos and they werenot to be disappointed. Theevent took place at the CavernClub in Liverpool. The guestsincluded Stewart Brown, MickInkpen and Freddy Gandy fromBluesology, Roger Pope andJohn Jorgenson.

All of the guests providedwonderful entertainmentwhether playing their music,answering questions or regaling

us with stories.This occasion marked the

first time Bluesology had playedtogether for over thirty years.Freddy was unfortunately unableto play due to injury, butStewart’s cousin helping out onguitar and a certain GeorgeMatlock on keyboards joinedStewart and Mick onstage. Theybegan their set with ‘Come BackBaby’ and the entertainment didnot let up. For a 2 song finalethey were joined on stage byRoger Pope who receivedrapturous applause. Earlier inthe afternoon John Jorgensonhad played a set accompaniedby his bassist Alan. John playedself – penned tracks from his

‘Emotional Savant’ album andalso cover versions of songs bythe likes of Roger McGuinn andGeorge Harrison. He went downa storm with the audience. Afterhis musical duties for the daywere over John took questionsfrom the floor about his career.After a short break, John wasagain being worked hard as hesigned autographs and hadinformal chats with theaudience. He was willing to dothis for hours and it was mostappreciated. All the while RogerPope was mingling with thosepresent, happy to signautographs and chat at lengthabout his time with Elton.

Other parts of the afternoon

what a weekend!

Ready to go in...

Mick Noller, Stewart Brown and George Matlock mid performance

Roger Pope and George in discussion Ray Elton Johnson citts the cake


were familiar to those that hadattended past conventions, withmusic and videos playing and afiendishly difficult quiz. The dayprovided an opportunity, as ever,to meet up with fellow fans.Sharon Kalinowski was manningthe Hercules stall that includedamongst its wares a souvenirbrochure. To cap everything offthere was a wonderful grandpiano cake to help us allcelebrate Elton’s 54th Birthday aday early. It almost seemed ashame to cut it, but this task wasduly completed by our residentElton lookalike, Ray Johnson.

The Cavern activity ended at7 pm. It was difficult to dragourselves away after such a

good day. Luckily, those of usthat were staying at The Hilton,St Helens were at the samelocation as our special guests. Alarge gathering reconvened inthe late hours of Saturday intothe early hours of Sunday.Further anecdotes were sharedand the day was relived. Thiswas aided by Stephan having a‘slide–show’ of pictures on hislaptop computer.

At lunchtime on thesignificant date of Sunday 25thMarch people finally said theirgoodbyes. There was one finaltreat before everyone headed forhis or her cars or trains. Thehotel pianist played Song ForGuy as a group photo call took

place. It just remains for me tothank Hercules, in particularGeorge, for organising thisunique event.

CONVENTIONby John Michie, Photographs: S Kalinoski

A VERY SPECIAL, LIMITEDEDITION, VIDEO RELEASE

OF THE CAVERN CLUBCONVENTION,

INCLUDING BACKSTAGEAND REHEARSAL CAPERS,

WILL BE RELEASED INOCTOBER 2001

(on both NTSC and PAL formats)

More details to follow in theSeptember fanzine.

Mick Noller, Mick Inkpen and Stewart Brown on stage Stewart Brown on stage with George

John Jorgenson busy signing autographsThe Cake George Matlock chats to Roger Pope

Ray Elton Johnson on stage with George Matlock


LETTERS

Ithought I would write and saythanks for a great convention.

Martin and I really enjoyedourselves and we were reallyglad we went.

My highlight was talking toJohn J as i brought his CD'Emotional Savant' and in track 8he mentioned New Zealand, myhome country. I asked him allabout it and he reckons it is thebest country in the world. Justlike Clive Franks!

All the best,Vicki Armstrong, UK Member

Hello George,Its Sunday night and I would

like to send a very big thank youto you and the other members ofHercules who helped to makeSaturdays event at the Cavern somemorable. I think Bluesologydid very well considering therather long lay off, don't you? Iwould like to thank you forbringing us together and sobravely sitting in for our otherpiano player, well done! I cannottell you just how much I enjoyedplaying once again and lookforward to repeating theoccasion again sometime withinthe next 34 years :)

Best wishes,Michael Inkpen

Roger Pope hammershome to George Matlock

about his early years inElton’s music.

The full interview to bepublished in Hercules

fanzine and onlinewww.eltonfan.net

later in 2001.

RogerPope

George,I just wanted to drop you a

line to thank you for all yourefforts in making the Conventiona memorable event.It was myfirst,so you've got a lot to live upto next time!!!

Seriously though,it was reallyenjoyable(apart from the toughquiz!!!!). I thought all the guestswere brilliant and it was a greatthrill to see Bluesology (as evenI’m not that old to have seenthem before). Roger Pope(what acharacter) performed with Eltonin the era that will always be myfavorite. I saw Roger performwith Elton in 1976,and it mademy day/year to see him up onstage again on those drums,especially having got to socialisewith him hours before I knewwhat it meant to him.

I was disappointed at missingJon Jorgenson when he came toLondon, so it was great to makeup for that .

The choice of venue wassuperb, and to see these guysplaying there was a treat. The factthat we were able to spend timewith them all both at the event,and

at the hotel put the icing on thecake. Who would have thought I’dbe buying Roger Pope a drink (adouble at that)? They were all greatand credit must go to you forgetting them to attend.

Ray Johnson played his partas well, and that's a great photoof him asking for John’sautograph. Listening to storiesfrom 3 different Elton/Reg era'swas really interesting,and if itwasn't for the lack of sleep, Icould have continued hearingthose tales long into Sundaynight as well.

It was good to catch up withall the Hercules friends that Imade last year, and to meet newones including Stephan andSharon.

My daughter Sarah enjoyedherself immensely, and said shewas made to feel welcome byeveryone(3 kisses from RogerPope as well).

Anyway, thanks once again.Please pass them on to Stephan,Sharon and all the others thathelped.

All the bestMark Giles – UK Member

Send or email your letters to David Wright, Editor (address on page 2)

T H E

SNAP BIOG:Born Whitstable, Kent, 20March 1947, his father a

drummer, and mother a singer.He left school at 15 years, and

took to a drum his father boughtfor £25. Within 3 months wasplaying in local band The Soul

Agents, and within a year wentprofessional. Touring the UK,

band met Rod Stewart who waswith Long John Baldry’s Hoochie

Coochie Men, and Rod joined.Roger has backed Buddy Guy,and was a member of the Kiki

Dee Band. Roger also recordedfor albums by Sir Cliff Richard,

Hall & Oates, drums and bass forAl Stewart, was on LJB’s It Ain’t

Easy (1971), Harry Nilsson’sNilsson Schmilsson (1971), andChina self-titled album (1977).Roger’s work for Elton albums:

Empty Sky, Madman Across TheWater, Tumbleweed Connection,Madman Across the Water, Rockof the Westies, and Blue Moves.

His Hookfoot releases were:Hookfoot (1971), Good Times a

Comin’ (1972), Communications(1973), Roaring (1974), and

Headlines (1975). This year, someof Chris Darrow’s work were re-

released, 1971 debut album ChrisDarrow back to back with UnderMy Own Disguise, with Roger on

drums and tambourine.

It’s March 10, 2001, and afterseveral false starts, we manage

to catch busy rock and roll’sRoger Pope for an interviewfrom a region he’s never leftsince he was nine years old, thesouth coast of England.

Some people have misspelledhis name as "Rodger", but wewonder why this drummer-with-attitude has also become labelled"rogue-er". When you chat withRoger, you realise this man wholived fast in the music years isnow getting a grip on his lifeagain. He’s no rogue! He’s just asolid character in a rock musicindustry dominated by PC-types,policed by the marketing Men InBlack from the recordcompanies.

He’s even been the subject ofsome light-hearted ridicule. Thelate Jim Henson’s The MuppetShow drummer was reputedlyinspired by a combination ofdrummers Keith Moon, GingerBaker, and Roger!

But his real past, one of greatdrumming, is again beingrecognised in high places. Afteryears of absence, Roger is nowtalking to Elton again. In June2000, Roger was able to meetElton backstage in Broadlands,again on his beloved south coastturf. And in October 2000, Rogerand his supportive partner, Sue,flew over to see Elton performthe Greatest Hits Live at MadisonSquare Garden, New York.

They say everyone is theauthor of their own fate. Butcolourful Roger’s only syntaxerror came when he spoke hismind, and ruffled a few feathers.And that’s exactly what the fanswould expect of a rock star!Geez! He’s had some greatstories in his Elton time, whichhe wants to share with theHercules members. So makeyour excuses and pull over tochat with him today!

The song now making acomeback, Tiny Dancer,reincarnated for the soundtrackto new film Almost Famous, was

actually recorded in, well, letRoger tell is as it was…

"I was in Hookfoot, a bandcreated for the very first Eltonalbum, Empty Sky. We had topay our mortgages, mine was£22 a month, and we got £5 aday working on a main drainagesystem in Andover (south coast)as they were building a newhousing estate, making the townan overspill for London. We’redown the sewers, and I ask thegaffer whether we can get offearly to go get an albumrecorded in London’s Air Studiosfor Elton John [!]. This was forMadman Across the Water. Weactually did four songs that night.I was also working this bloodybig Hopper [a cement mixer]. Iwas covered in Cement."

GM: What was that? Semen?RP: "Ha! Cement dust! So, we

start recording in the studio, andthe cement was still in my hair.As I sweat, so this stuff is gettingharder! I even still had my workclothes on. No time to getchanged! Dave Glover was withme on the working site, and hewas the bassist!"

Elton and John Reid were inthe studio, but nobody noticed.Roger got £36 for that night’srecording. He admits he cannotbelieve he passed up on taking aroyalty, given that TumbleweedConnection, had been a hit.Roger took a fee instead.

RP: "Elton was a friend. Iwasn’t doing it for the money. I’deven have done it for free. Andyet I am a risk-taker who couldsee the album might do verywell!"

Roger wanted to preserveHookfoot, which also includedGlover, Ian Duck, Freddy Gandy,and Caleb Quaye. "It wasprobably one of the best bands -ever", says Roger with passion."But Dick James didn’t reallyback us." The only album on CD,available from Germany, isHookfoot Live in Memphis. "It’s aradio show we did in 1973, andthe audience were kept subdued.

I hardly noticed they were eventhere!" Roger firmly recommendsthis CD.

At MSG last year, Roger sayshe walked out half way throughthe first night’s show. "I could seeElton’s face, I know themeyeballs, and I knew he wasabout to quit!" And Roger shouldindeed know…at the very samevenue in 1977, on thepenultimate night at theillustrious venue, former Eltonmanager John Reid, told theband five minutes before theywere going on stage, that theband was being disbanded andElton retiring. The next night wasthe last time Roger worked withElton and a chapter in the Circleof Life closed.

Now it is reopened, thanks toSue’s decision to get in touchwith Elton’s new manager. Rogerhas never stopped loving Elton,whom he calls "a generousbugger", and Roger has not lostthe attitude: "I saw that SoGraham Norton show last night.He was disrespectful towards‘Elsie’ and I know Elton. Heshould have punched Norton!"That’s the knock-out soundadvice of a man who beats thingsfor a living! "I think Nortonshould be run over!" Take a bowRoger, and welcome home.

P A R T Y ’ S N O T O V E R



Kiki Dee,or Miss

Amoureuse to someof us, is still Loving &

Free, as her classic self-writtentrack from 1973 rings in ourears. She conveys instant warmththat has never faded, despite theroller-coaster ride ofcontemporary music.

She has managed to fend offthe vices that caught out others,such as the three "ds"drugs,depression, and drink problems,and her 1981 hit Star says it all:"Don’t you tell me it’stough…They can build you up,and they can break you down,with just the right words".

In this interview, Kiki tells itall. She has views on the get-rich-quick phenomenon, underlinedby the "Popstars" hype, and evenre-assessed the song Star whilewe were chatting. That’s how Kikiis: no fixed, stubborn views.Always prepared to think it overagain. So what was it about Star?She admitted it was not one ofher favourites. She’s happier withthe acoustic guitar in hand, andthe gentle ballads. She’sespecially proud of her first everattempt at song-writing withLoving & Free.

Star was more commercial-ised. But I suggested the song wasa decoy. Much like Terry Jacks’1974 classic Seasons In the Sun,so too with Star. It is an up-tempofeel-good rhythm which concealsbitter or forlorn lyrics.

Her latestalbum, recorded at theTickety-boo offices in1998, is Where RiversMeet. It’s an interestingblend of Asian culturemusic, and underlines acomplete revisionism inKiki’s work. That change and lustfor experimentation is thanks tothe new music influence in herlife, Carmelo Luggeri. Recently,he has opened a studio inHertfordshire, north of London,where demos have already beenrecorded.

Kiki would sure like to recordagain with Elton, what with anumber one UK hit in 1976Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,and follow-ups Loving You isSweeter Than Ever (1979), andTrue Love (1993). Most recently,she partnered again, at MSG lastOctober. But Kiki doesn’t want tobe labelled as "Elton’s singer"; shewants to be defined as anindividual. "Me and Elton aremusically a million miles apartwith my current direction," Kikisays.

Kiki, real name PaulineMatthews, has a nickname Elton

gave her."He calls me

Stan, after thefootballer Stanley

Matthews," she says. "Also,I’m sometimes known asPerilousPauline, bymostly justKeek."

Gettingher name rightis reallyimportantsince shebecamea radio presenter. Itwas a nerve-wrackingexperience, when shenarrated the 3-part TheElton John Story on BBC Radio 2,in November 2000. In her ownwords:

"It was quite challenging. Firstof all, I was interviewed for it as acontributor. I heard they hadthought about Phil Collins doingit, and I thought it was an oddchoice. Then they asked whether Iwould present it! I had a scriptwritten for me. I rememberhaving to lie down at home afterdoing it! I tried to narrate it in anatural way, but withoutpunctuating it with too much ofmy own personality, especially

STAR!kiki deeKiki Dee chatsto GeorgeMatlock.


since it wasn’t my words. I kept itdeadpan really! It was fun."

There were a few aspectsElton might not have appreciatedin this rockumentary: "Therewasn’t time for me to sit and

analyse it, I was reading it offthe cuff, and didn’t

contributetowards it. The

moment when JohnReid was applauded

for steeringsomething, and thedrugs thing. I feel

people do dramatise thatpart of his life, which is

understandable injournalism."

GM: Elton does seem toencourage that too, talking alot about the drugs situation. Itcame through in the recentParkinson interview, aselsewhere.

KD: "Yes I guess he does. But theParkinson interview was verygood, Elton came across verygrown up."

And which Elton songs doesKiki like? "I like RocketMan, and ballads likeCome Down In Time fromthat period. Daniel, because Ihave a friend called Daniel inNew York, and I’m Still Standing.I like the ballads most.

Nigel Olsson asked Kiki to

perform the Roachford songNaked Without You, for his newalbum, out in Japan sinceFebruary. Nigel approached Kikiduring the MSG show lastOctober. Much like with Don’tGo Breaking, this song was alsorecorded by adding Kiki’s vocalson the other side of the world,Nigel in California, Kiki inLondon. The song was recordedin England in November, andCarmelo produced the vocals. "Ihaven’t heard it yet, ha!" Kiki saidit’s close to the original version ofthe song, but as a duet. "I likedthe lyrics, and I think my voicesounded good on it."

Kiki, born Bradford, Yorkshire,6 March 1947, knew she wanted

to sing since she was 10.The rest, as they say,

is history.

WHERE FANS AND ARTISTS MEETCAVERN CD OFFER

Hercules has arranged a specialdeal for fans. You can buy Kiki’s

latest album, Where Rivers Meet,and the first 100 copies bought

will be signed by the star!

The special price on this item is£12.99. Also (non-signed) copiesof earlier album Almost Nakedare priced £12.99. All pricesinclude UK p&p, and both

albums available direct from therecord company

Sterling Cheques must bepayable to: Tickety-boo Ltd.

Sorry, no credit or debit cards

Please rush orders to: Tickety-boo LtdThe BoathouseCrabtree Lane

London SW6 6TY, UK

The offer of signed CDs appliesto Where Rivers Meet only.

For overseas orders, pleaseadd £2 postage.

You must say Hercules Offerwhen ordering! Otherwise theautograph won’t be included!


Stewart A.Brown & Mick Inkpenrecite the Genesis to George Matlock

blues for my

Mick Inkpen, thedrummer we heard at

the Cavern, nevermuch cared for a

"daft" name likeBluesology, culled

from a famous 1960ssong by jazz man

Django Reinhardt.But how wrong he

was. Not only was itElton’s first proper

band, and one whichcatapulted him into

worldwide fame, thename lives on!

It lives on, bizarrely enough, in

two acts which liked the nameenough, to "nick it" themselves.Firstly, there is Armand &Bluesology, and another act, ablack soul jazz crooner whogoes under a name I kind oflike, for reasons to becomeobvious during this specialafternoon: King GeorgeBluesology!

And in March, it lived on atthe Cavern, as Mick and originalvocalist and guitarist Stewart ABrown, together with his cousinMick Noller on bass, re-createthe sound of Come Back Baby.They were short of akeyboardist, but the name I’drecommend couldn’t make it!

Stewart was all nostalgicwhen I called him in March ona Spanish island resort he hascalled home since 1976. Stewartis a crusader against the localtechno muzak, and plays in aband called Me And Him, doingcover versions of songs likeDaniel. "But we do them closeto the original, to please theEnglish tourists and expats.Sadly not re-interpretations," hesays.

Music came early. "When Iwas eight, I visited three cousinsof mine in Ipswich, and two ofwhom play. I picked up theirguitar, and couldn’t put it down!Someone took a photograph ofme in short pants (never found itagain!), and soon I acquired myown guitar," Stewart says.

Stewart was dating Reg’scousin. "I talked to herfanatically about music, andsaid I needed a piano player forthis Blues stuff we play. Sheinvited him. Reg came around,and played Great Balls of Fire,my goodness, exactly like JerryLee Lewis!"

Stewart says Elton adaptedfast to Blues, the genre of theband. Both Stewart and Mickwere big jazz blues fans,

perhaps because it was exotic to someone living in a comfortableLondon suburb instead of animpoverished outback of 1930sAmerica.

"We are really lookingorward to playing at the Cavern,and you will recognisesomething about Blues in thelyrics of a song we hope toperform," says Stewart.

But Stewart admits they hadto find a commercial song torecord. That spawned Reggie’sfirst song, lyrics AND music,Come Back Baby. "It was hissong, and his style completely,even though we didn’t knowwhat his style was back then,"Stewart says. "Reg wasn’t aprolific writer at that time."

Bluesology also had theirscrape with the Underworld!The band’s fast-talking managerArnold Tendler convinced labelFontana to record the monosong. But he later fell fromgrace, a man involved with thejewellery trade who had somebad luck and went to prison fora time in the early 1970s. "Buthe was a sweet rough diamond!I really nice, sweet man,"Stewart recalls.

Dave Murphy was anotherbad luck story, as Bluesologycranked up the legal points! Thesaxophonist fell out with theband, and took the tour vanfrom London to Germany andwas never seen again! "I gavehim the sack at Clook Clique,the railway hotel in WestHampstead, and the vanvanished forever! Fortunately, noinstruments inside!" After that,sax was covered by Elton Dean,the half-name inspiration forElton John.

With singers Alan Walker,Marsha Hunt and LJB, Stewarthad already relinquished thelead vocals slot. But the hitscame through, in November1967 with UK chart-topper Let


the Heartaches Begin, and later a solo debut beckoned for Stewart onElton/Bernie-penned I Can’t Go On Living Without You, arranged by Bluesology’sreplacement for Reggie, Jimi Horowitz. And a song Lulu didn’t end up singing in the 1969 EurovisionSong Contest. Side B of the songwas Don’t Call Me, by Stewartand later Elton lyricist, GaryOsborne

Mick recalls the nameBluesology could be traced backto Reggie’s bedroom recordcollection. "It was huge, about800 LPs back then. Carefullycatalogued. He had the Djangoalbum in his collection." Healso had a book club collection,and no jokes please, "a Dickenscollection at his fingertips."

Mick remembers not being astar on guitar, when guitar bandswere all the rage. Drummerswere less common. He’d alreadyformed a lacklustre band, andheard Stewart’s The Corvetteswere splitting. Mick sensed hismoment, and, with bass guitaristRex Bishop, joined Stewart andReg. Salesman Mick: "If I camewith a bass player, it’s a betterready-made package."

Bluesology ‘toured’ the UK.At one Scottish venue theywouldn’t let punters have beerglasses for fear of trouble. Mickwonders whether that was theinspiration for the Scot onpicture sleeve to Elton’s SaturdayNight’s Alright (for Fightin’).

But Elton knew how to quella riot, even then. "We were theinappropriate entertainment atan Irish wedding in Neasden,London, when a fight broke out.Reg pulled out all his sheetmusic, and we dropped bluesnumbers, switching to pubstandards. Soon they ran out offurniture," said Mick.

By 1967, Mick was getting tired

of the routine, and he got a further

discouragement whenBluesology was asked to backPatti Labelle. Patti thought Mickcouldn’t manage a technique.Stewart says he’s heard Mick hasnow perfected it!

SNAP BIOGS:

Stewart: Born 6 Feb. 1948,Hillingdon, London. Reg joinedStewart’s band The Corvettesearly 1960s, then Mick Inkpenas they rename Bluesology, withTwink’s Fairies’ Freddy Gandylater replacing Rex Bishop. In1969 works with Nigel Olssonon Plastic Penny’s last Germantour. Joins Cochise with BJCole, a steel guitar player, forone year. Retires to travel, farm,and start a family in Wales1972.

Mick: Born 26 January 1948,Pinner. Now lives in Devon,worked with local bands andgave up drums in 1984.

&babyme

Phot

o: S

Kal

inos

ki

Following the popularity of ourfirst School Report on March

2001 fanzine, George Matlocktalks to Elton fan Judy Williamswho recalls Pinner CountyGrammar School

George Matlock: If Eltonremembers you, what was yourmaiden name?

Judy Williams: It was Williams. Imarried, changed my name, thendivorced, married a second time,reverting to my maiden name.

GM: How did you come toknow Reginald, as Elton wasthen known?

JW : He was a year above me inschool. I started at Pinner Countyin 1959. So I didn’t know him anawful lot. I knew him probablymore than he knew me. Weweren’t in classes together. It wasthrough Dick Morgan’s connectionat the Royal Academy of Musicthat I really got to know more ofElton. That was at my third orfourth year at Pinner.

GM: Was there anything aboutReg that made people takenotice of him?

JW : He was not a bully. He was apleasant person. Often those inyears above you at school throwtheir weight around, and areintimidating. He never did.

GM: Some people are justconventional, they are justanother brick in the wall, touse Pink Floyd’s famous schoolrebel lyric. How would youdescribe him?

JW : He stood out insofar as hedressed a little bit differently. Butone thing that’s interesting: I’velooked back through all my oldschool magazines, and he’s notmentioned even once in those.That’s brick in the wall. Thatsurprises me, because when youthink of his achievements at theRoyal Academy – he was probably

the only person at the school whodid that. It didn’t get mentioned atall. I don’t know why. Maybe hedidn’t want it mentioned. He nevermade a big thing about it. He wasknown for being good musically.He didn’t strut his stuff. He didn’tplay sport. He didn’t stand out inany other way.

GM: Perhaps he wasn’t anexhibitionist, and his modestyis what cost him his peer groupvalue. But dressing differently isoften a sign of ‘look at me’. Inwhat way was it?

JW : You could always do subtlethings with the regulatory schooluniforms we all had to wear.Things like the collars of his shirtwere different. He had a tie-pin inhis collar. Waist-coats were afashion. And I have a memory ofhim doing that. He wasn’t tall, andhe was podgy. But he just lookedsmart.

GM: How was heacademically? You see him intelevision interviews and hecomes over very articulate,quick-witted, and eveninterested in the affairs of state.I think he stood for theConservatives in studentelections, didn’t he?

JW : I don’t remember too well.GM: In that case he didn’t win.

JW : No, and I didn’t vote for him,ha! It rings a few bells. I don’tthink anyone of us was particularlypolitically aware, being young. Iwas a CND supporter [Campaignfor Nuclear Disarmament]. What Ido remember was his musicalability being respected by themusic and head masters of theschool.

GM: What was the musicmaster’s name?

JW : Mr Stoupe. The headmaster,Mr Westgate-Smith, was also veryinterested in music. He was a

lovely man. He held Reg in highregards, although Reg was neverwritten up, nor big in assembly[religious service].

GM: We know now that Eltonprotects his privacy. He camefrom a middle class family, andperhaps didn’t feel the need toprove himself as much?

JW : I think you’re very right. Idon’t think he even had anickname at school.

GM: Did other pupils bullyhim?

JW : Never saw him threatened. Ithink his musical abilities wereenough to hold off trouble. Itwasn’t an unpleasant school, butanyone who wasn’t good at sportgot bullied. The fact that theheadmaster respected him alsohelped.

GM: Tell us about the 11-plusGrammar school. So you werebright young things?

JW : Ha! When you got toGrammar school, it was only thetop form in the school that actuallygot any attention. So that once yougot to Grammar school, having

SCHOOLREPORT 2:

Teacher I need you!!

Judy at Pinner County, 1964

Judy in April 2000


been streamed, you werestreamlined again! Anyone whowas not in the top form was notvalued as much, which I think wasvery sad. There was an elite of theelite. Those creamed off would goto university. I was initially in thetop forms, and I think he was inthe mid-streams.

GM: So, academically he didn’texcel.

JW No he didn’t. I don’t knowwhat his final ‘O’ Level resultswere, but doubtless passes.

GM: Did you sense at time thathe was interested in university?He didn’t go on to do ‘A’ Levelsto qualify for university.

JW : No, at the time he wasleaving the school in 1964 I wentout once with a member ofBluesology, who I think was calledJohn, and I remember we went toa party where Reg was there. Hewas earning his living throughplaying music. I found that odd:my career looked as though itwould be university, which was thetraditional route. He was unusualin that he left school, went to

work, but not in a bank oranything like that.

GM: Dick Morgan said he hadfew recollections of Elton beingin the company of girls.

JW : No, I don’t have suchrecollections either. I remember agroup of men whom I looselywould call "dandy" when Eltonwas in his fifth or final year atschool. They prided themselves onthe way they looked, but not in anostentatious way. And I rememberElton being part of that group.They were refined rather thanrugby players, and rather thanacademic. I never remember himhaving a girlfriend.

GM: In those days, the morningreligious service was a bigthing in Christian schools. Wasthere evidence of him excellingthere?

JW : Well, he was the only pupilallowed to play the school piano.It was a Steinway. Only teachersplayed it. Very select. But I don’thave recollections of him evenplaying in assembly. The only thinghe might remember me in, was a

school play, when he was in theLower Sixth year. He came induring rehearsals and played thepiano. The production was BertoltBrecht’s The Caucasian ChalkCircle. He was just around, noteven particularly involved in theproduction. I have this memory ofhim coming in and just playingwow! Key-perfect just from cold.

GM: Did he have regularfriends?

JW : I looked at the school photo.There was a guy called Martin,who is standing next to him in thephoto. I can’t think of anyone whowas a real buddy. He was a loner.

GM: I bet some pupils wishedthey’d got to know him better!Did you try to get to knowhim?

JW : He was older than me. Therewas also hope the boy wouldmake the first move!

GM: That would be interestingwouldn’t it? Might havechanged his life forever, and Idon’t think anyone would havethanked you for it, ha!

JW : I liked him, perhaps becausehe was different.

GM: The school romance – theone that got away.

JW: Oh God!GM: So how much of a fan areyou?

JW: I have many of his records,although I think I would like himwhether I knew him or not. Thesongs touch different parts of yourlife at different times. I went withDick to see Elton at Margham Parkin Wales [2000]. I live at the endof the world, so it’s not easy to goto shows. I grew up next door toDick in Pinner, and we both hadparents with connections withPembrokeshire, Wales. I movedhere 20 years ago. I’m currentlyplaying his One Night Only andenjoying it.

Interview conducted February25, 2001. Now virtually extinct inthe UK, Grammar schools werestate-run schools whereacademically-gifted children wenton sitting the 11-plus exam, aged11 years. Vocationally-skilled kidswent to Secondary ModernSchools, in the days beforeComprehensive education was introduced in the late 1960s.

Reg at Pinner County, 1964



Clive gave our UK managerGeorge Matlock a full 2 _-hourinterview on 12 July 2000:

George Matlock: The venueshave tested you a bit haven’tthey? Tell us about WembleyStadium June 1998, when BillyJoel famously had to pull out.

Clive Franks: That was the worstshow I have ever had to deal within my life. I knew that (soundproblem) was going to happen,and I told them before that. Butthey wanted to play across thestadium for a more intimate feel,than having the band at one endof the stadium and crowds far out.They thought there would be morepeople closer to the stage.Normally, bands play lengthways,as we’ve done many times before.The new format was done justbefore us by The Eagles atWembley. They had countlessproblems too! So I don’t knowwhy we didn’t learn from that.And there’s also the over-hangingmetal roof. The sound gets trappedunder there, bounces out, at abouta half-second decay time, and islouder than the damn PA! So youhear two of everything, the secondsound being louder and tinny andhorrible. (I have delusions) of aline of people who came up tome, and my staff had to fight themoff! It became very fish-eye lens tome! I saw Klu Klux Klan people,and people in black hoods withscythes and hatchets, screaming atme to do something about thesound. There was nothing I coulddo.

GM: The only other venue Ican describe on a tinny dustbin

Richter scale is WembleyArena, especially in December1997 with the band.

CF: It’s another tough roombecause, not a lot of people know,it’s built with a swimming poolunderneath the floor. It’s hollowdown there. And the sound justgets trapped in a huge hole. Anightmare. For a solo show I couldget away with it, but for a band,impossible. But it was ten-timesbetter than the Wembley Stadium!When you play a small club, thesound is pretty much uniform. Butwhen you play such a vast area,different parts of the arena sounddifferent. You can’t get it perfecteverywhere.

Clive seems to agree withHong Kong on how to improvepersonal sound, with his rightRed revolutionary idea.

CF: I’ve been saying it for years.Not have a PA system at all, butgive everyone wirelessheadphones. Everyone would getthe same sound. Of course, itwould cost you a fortune becauseyou’d only get a quarter of theheadphones back! That for mewould be a wonderful solution,and then I would mix, wearingheadphones. Maybe it would beweird though for people to reallyget into a rock concert withphones on.

GM: A bit like being at homein front of the Hi-fi! Wasn’theadphones for the crowddemanded by the municipalauthorities in Hong Kong forthe aborted Elton handoverconcert, July 1997. The Asianpress reported Elton angered bythe proposal and he quit.

CF: I remember that. I heard thatcomment on the radio myself. It’samazing what you read on theinternet. I don’t know the facts,only that the show was offbecause of all the rules and it wastoo loud. I think it was one of thethings which came into it.

GM: Perhaps Beijing isn’t anElton fan!

CF: I’ve played places like thatbefore. In Australia, when weplayed with Billy Joel in 1998, inSydney. We did three or fournights at the Cricket Ground, andwe were following MichaelJackson who had been there a fewweeks before. There had beenmassive complaints about hissound. Not that the sound wasbad – as I know the guy whomixes Michael. But volume getsout. There’s a lot of low sounds inMichael Jackson’s show, synth bassstuff, and it’s not top end whichtravels but the bass. I had theSydney council sitting withdecibel meters with me, and thelevel they wanted me to go at…Itell you, if I’d sneezed I’d havesent their meters over the top.Such a low decibel level, sofrustrating. The mix was good, butthe energy wasn’t there because ofthe low permitted level. But youcannot go against the councilbecause you are allowed x-minutes per hour exceeding thedecibel limit which was about 94DB at the console. When theaudience applauded, it did goover 94! If you go over thenumber of minutes allowed, youget charged thousands of dollarsper extra minute. So you try not torun up those costs.

As we publish this instalment,Elton is currently trying tooverturn a court ruling onoverseas tour expenses atwhich ex-manager John Reidgave evidence, having settledwith Elton out of court. In anamusing anecdote, Clive inJuly 2000 talked about howsome costs were wilfully madein that era:

CF: I remember John Reid oncecame out to me and said ‘why isthe sound so soft?’ And I said‘because I’m up against this DBlimit and we’re gonna get fined.’He said ‘sod it! Turn it up.’ Thisone show cost us US$10,000! He

Clive liveexclusive...

CagetheSongbird

CagetheSongbird

PART 4 OF OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ELTON SOUND ENGINEER CLIVE FRANKS

In the concluding part of our exclusive interview CliveFranks recalls concert venues to George Matlock, and thetimes he nearly quit Elton John


told me to turn it up! He felt itmore important for people to havea good time.

Clive admits a solo tour easeshis job to get a good sound,but with the band, hesometimes despairs.

CF: With the band it’s more of achallenge. I get very critical andgo through bouts on tours when Iget very depressed because of thesound. But my acceptancethreshold is very high. Manypeople come up to me and say itwas the best sound they haveheard in this building, which is allvery well, but it doesn’t alwaysmake me feel good. Nowadays weonly do three or four shows aweek, and so there’s a lot of sittingaround. So for those three hourperformances I want the sound tobe great.

GM: So, if you’re aperfectionist, how close haveyou ever been to quitting?

CF: Once or twice. It’s hard whenyou’ve got family. Sadly, mymarriage fell apart, after 19 years.It’s amazing how any relationshipin this (showbusiness) can last, butwe’re still very close, and havetwo wonderful kids. Sometimeseverything gets on top of you.Even Elton sometimes suffers this‘oh God, another gig tomorrow’.Yet, once you’re on stage you doit! People don’t see the other side.People think it’s all rock and rolland parties. Well, when we wereyounger there were the parties.Now with family commitments it’sharder…but it is like a drug. Manytimes I’ve said ‘Never again!’. I gethome, three or four weeks, and Iwant to go on the road again. It’sstrange, it has that power. I playseveral instruments, and alwaysdreamt of being a rock star, andnever made it. So I was verygrateful when Elton asked me towork for him, where I couldchannel my musical energies. Isuppose I also am a performer

with my own audience! I amexhausted at the end of everyshow. Not because I’m gettingolder. I always was like that.

GM: Sounds like a Work-out.

CF: It really is! The only exercise Iget, I’m a lazy bugger really, ha!Elton is a powerful character andwhen he’s in the positive mode,which, thank God, nowadays isnearly all the time, then it’swonderful. He went through somebad times [drugs and drink] and itdragged down everyone else. Itwas hard to think positive. Now,Elton can walk in a room ofpeople, and sway the mood inthere. He’s funny, quick-witted, butsometimes gets uncomfortable ifhe can’t communicate with peopleon his level. As well as I think Iknow him, you might assume Ican sit down with him for a chat,but I keep it more as a businessrelationship. We talk, but perhapsnot as deeply as I might like to. Idon’t feel comfortable with a one-to-one chat. Weird, but you willfind among many people whowork for him, that we respect himso much, that aura, that it almostinhibits you from relaxing andbeing yourself.

GM: It seems like the big tours,big venues, means the firstthing you want to do is hangup your duties and relax –which means getting awayfrom the work and itsenvironment.

CF: I am looking forward to havingsix weeks at home soon, but Iknow that after a few weeks I willmiss this, and want to do more. Astrange mix!

Clive mixes the music, not thebusiness and social life.Keeping the space betweenhim and Elton has probablycontributed to Elton’s andClive’s mutual respect.

CF: It’s 95 percent a workingrelationship. We hardly socialise. I

did go to his South of Francehouse the other day, but only to fixBob Halley’s computer, and thenthey asked me to stay for dinner.And on the way to the show inHyde Park, London (July 9, 2001) Ihad to stop off at Elton’s centralLondon home. I’d never even beenthere. It was interesting to see ‘yetanother home’. Now that I live inNew Zealand there’s even lesschance of mixing with Elton. I wasinvited to his 50th birthday partyin London (April 1997). Had Ibeen here I would of course havegone, but I didn’t make the trekfrom NZ. It’s a very good workingrelationship. I will be here as longas I can hear, and as long as hecan pound the ivories and sing.

GM: Were you at the (TiaraBall, Windsor) party last week(July 2000)?

CF: No, I wasn’t invited but I’mglad I wasn’t asked, as I wouldhave felt embarrassed saying no. Idon’t feel comfortable in thatsituation. I love what I do, but I’mnot overly comfortable with thisindustry. I like to be with moredown to earth people. There aresome at such events, but there’salso a lot of bullshit. I cannotmake small-talk. I don’t have anego at all. The only time I talkabout myself is when people likeyou call me, which is hardly ever.I’ve done very few interviews . Iprefer being a back-room boy.

Clive’s idea of socialising ismeeting old friends. Thefollowing week he was off toCornwall, south-west England,to meet up with Joe Partridge,guitarist in the Kiki Dee Band.

Clive doesn’t belong to thehas-beens. Hercules salutes hiswork and wishes him manymore years with Elton! Greatthanks to Clive for thisinterview, and for supplyingsome of the photos we haveused to illustrate this 4-part epic.

...with Nigel ...with Davey and Nigel ...with Bernie TaupinClive Franks...

Pictures courtesy of Clive Franks Pictures courtesy of Elton band member John Mahon


Dieter and new band Made InEngland started their first UK

Tour on May 3. We publish a twopart interview with the GreatPretender.

George Matlock: Dieter, thanksfor agreeing to do thisinterview. It's a German nameisn't it? But has it got anythingto do with Elton's former toursponsor, Diet Coke?

Dieter Graham: Yes, although Idon't speak the language, and theonly thing Diet is short for isDieter, rather like Pete is short forPeter!

GM: You were on UK TVcontest Stars in their Eyes in1991. How did that comeabout? And did you win thatcontest?

DG: It came about by accidentreally. I didn't apply, and I didn'timpersonate "Elton" at that time. Ididn't win either, but feel rather itlaunched me as an impersonator,and I feel that I'm still learning tomaster what I've set out to dosince then.

GM: How long have you beendoing the Elton look-a-like andsound-a-like act? And I neverasked how old you are?

DG: Some 10 years now, althoughI've always been a singer in myown right. I'm (43)

GM: You also do a fine vocalon Billy Joel. I'd say it'suncanny. Some fans told me atChatsworth House in June youshould have been brought in toreplace Billy taken ill atWembley Stadium in 1998!Which came first? The Elton orBilly act?

DG: Strangely both, I've beensinging now for some 30 years,and both Elton and Billy inspiredme in the beginning, hence thevocal likeness to them, you knowit's All About Soul !

GM: Which act is morepopular?

DG: That's a ridiculous question!GM: Who helped you decide todo Elton John as an act?

DG: It was probably my brotherJohn, he always thought that Isounded like him (Elton).

GM: Are you actually a fan ofElton, or do you just admirehim?

DG: If you mean do I have ashrine? No! And if you admiresomeone then you must be a fan.

GM: Do you have a large EltonJohn collection? And what'syour prized item?

DG: Only a modest amount ofCDs and perhaps the rare mastersdouble CD I always felt that his Bsides were as good as his A sides.

GM: What's your favouriteElton John song?

DG: I don't have a particular one,as I feel that any one particularsong can mean different things tothe individual at any one momentin time.

GM: Do you have an Eltonsong which you don't like?

DG: L.S.D. (Lucy in the Sky withDiamonds).

GM: What other music do youlike? And what other interestsdo you have?

DG: I like all kinds of music, fromcontemporary country through totrance. It's good not to be stale inmusical tastes. Interests? Travel,sport, charities, living!

GM: Have you seen Elton solorecently?

DG: Unfortunately not, my role asimpersonator takes up quite a bitof my time.

GM: Now, you have someexciting things going on withyour act. No more of the funny(what I call spoof) things. You'renow going ever-so-serious withthe act and a new band. Tellsus more about it.

DG: The show consists of a liveband, Keys, drums, guitar, bass,and 4 girls, all singing dancingtroupe with a 32-costume change,and it’s bloody exciting for me!

GM: What's the band called?And will you take the band ontour across Europe?

DG: "MADE IN ENGLAND" is thename we've decided on, andhopefully next year (2001) will seeus tour, we're in talks at thismoment in time, and there are alot of proposals being looked at!

GM: What's the background ofthe other band members? Arethey really like DaveyJohnstone, John Jorgenson,Nigel Olsson, and Dee Murray?Where did they come togetherfrom? And how much hard grafthas it been to perfect theirsound and act to appear likethe Elton John Band?

DG: The band sound veryauthentic. But I wouldn't say theyare all lookalikes! The band havehad previous experience within theTheatre and corporate market witha female singer, who shall at thismoment remain nameless (Thatshould get you thinking, George).

GM: I have. I think she's abloke in drag! You'll have to seethe act to know the truth,however. Regrettably you don'tplay keyboards. That doesn'taffect your act, which is strongon choreography and yoursinging talents. Do the bandplay their instruments?

DG: Indeed they do, but I do playthe piano, but not on the gig. I stillhave another trick up my sleeve foryou, but that I will save for a laterdate.

GM: Apart from entertainment,what other professions haveyou followed, since most "Starsin their Eyes" contestants haveother lives too?

DG: I've worked down the mines,and for the odd TV company, andI've even been a chauffeur in thepast, and occasionally used todrive James Mansion, the deposedpresident of the Seychelles around,but I've been a professional singernow for more than 20 years, andit’s where my heart and soul are at!

GM: Apart from that TV series,what other shows or highlightshave there been in your showcareer?

DG: Various network TV showsboth here in England as well asNew Zealand and Australia, plus astring of regional stations, anadvert for BBC 1 advertising Radio2. Also vocal credits to Unfinished

'COS I'M BETTER THAN YOU,

IT'S THE THINGSTHAT I DO

Entertainer Dieter Graham Talks to George Matlock

about his Elton act


Buisness (BBC drama), and ofcourse Reeves and Mortimer showShooting Stars live theatre tour forsix weeks, where I opened theshow every night. Yes I am mad!

GM: Well I didn't ask whetheryou're mad. But your CV readstrue. New Zealand Herculesmember Vicki Armstrong saysshe saw you down there someyears ago! What does yourfamily think of you doing thesegigs?

DG: They are quite proud, but it'ssomething I do for a living sowhen I'm at home I'm me, I don'thave an identity crises, I knowfirmly who I am and what I want,and sometimes the stress of beingaway for long periods can bedifficult for the family, as well asmyself.

GM: Will you perform forHercules at a special tribute actContest in the USA next spring?

DG: I will always try to be there,as you well know, except with theband and one thing and another. Itcould prove tricky, but I will dowhatever I can to be there,providing there is enough noticethere shouldn't be a problem. But Ican tell you I love doing yourconventions, I get such a buzz,because the audience love it somuch, it's great fun mate!!!

Dieter was interviewed afterhis storm show at DevonshireArms Hotel near ChatsworthHouse, attended by 100 fans,June 2000

SNAP BIOG:T.V. credits include

appearances onITV/BBC/SKY/Meridan as well asNetwork T.V. in Australia andNew Zealand. Appearances atLondon's Cafe Royal, Dorchester,

The Grosvenor House, TheInn on the Park, MadameTussaud's and Rock

Circus as well as showsattended by various members ofthe Royal Family.

Dieter was also a regularlyfeature star of "The GreatLegends of Rock".

International tours includedAustria, Germany, Spain, Italy,Norway, Sweden, Finland,Dubai, Jordan, Beirut, Kuwait,Seychelles and New Zealand

Wed 4th July, Embassy Theatre,Grand Parade, Skegness,Lincolnshire,+44 (0)1754 768333Sun 8th July, Palace Theatre,Appletongate, Newark, Notts.,+44 (0)1636 655755Fri 13th July, *Marina Theatre*,The Marina, Lowestoft, Suffolk,+44 (0)1502 573318Fri 20th July, Villa MarinaTheatre, Harris Promenade,Douglas, Isle Of Man, +44 (0)1624 628855Sun 22nd July, Leeds GrandTheatre & Opera House, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, North Yorks, +44 (0)113 222 6222Thur 26th July, BrycheiniogTheatre, Canal Wharf, Brecon,Powys, South Wales, +44 (0)1874 611622Fri 27th July, *Rhyl Pavilion*,The Promenade, Rhyl, Clwyd,North Wales, +44 (0)1745 330000Sun 5th Aug, Pavilion Theatre, Cromer. Norfolk, +44 (0)1263 512495Fri 10th Aug, Pavilion Theatre, ExmouthThur 23rd Aug, Ryde Theatre, Lind Street, Ryde, Isle of White, +44 (0)1983 568099Sat 1st Sept, Skinandis Night Club, Trail Street, Thurso,Caithness, Scotland, +44 (0)1847 893129Sun 2nd Sept, Cromlett Club, Invergordon, Scotland, Sat 8th Sept, Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock,ScotlandFri 14th Sept, *Lochelly Center Theatre*, Bank Street,Lochelly, Fife, Scotland, +44 (0)1592 418141

Sat 15th Sept, *The Maltings*,Eastern Lane, Berwick uponTweed, +44 (0)1289 330999Tues 18th Sept, LandmarkTheatre, IllfrocombeWed 19th Sept, Oaken GatesTheatre, Telford, EssexThur 20th Sept, Doncaster CivicTheatre, Waterdale, Doncaster,South Yorkshire, +44 (0)1302 342349Fri 21st Sept, Regal Theatre,Carlton Road, Worksop,Nottinghamshire,+44 (0)1909 482896Tues 25th Sept, PloughrightTheatre, ScunthorpeThur 27th Sept, BlackwoodMiners Institute, High Street,Blackwood, Gwent, Wales, +44 (0)1495 227206Sat 29th Sept, Secombe Theatre,Cheam Road, Sutton, Surrey,+44 (0)208 770 6988

Sun 30th Sept, West Cliff Theatre, Clacton on SeaFri 5th Oct, The Platform, Central Promenade,Morecambe, +44 (0)1524 582803Sat 6th Oct, *Glasgow Pavilion*, 121 Renfield Street,Glasgow, Scotland, +44 (0)242 332 1846Fri 12th Oct, Customs House, South ShieldsThur 18th Oct, King George Hall, BlackburnTues 23rd Oct, Winding Wheel, Holywell Street,Chesterfield, +44 (0)1246 345334Mon 26th Oct, Buxton Opera House, BuxtonFri 30th Nov, Hilton Hotel, East Midlands AirportSat 1st Dec, Royal Sailors Home Club, Queens St,Portsmouth, +44 (0)2392 824231 *Billed As* 'Crocodile Rock'

THE MADE IN ENGLAND UK TOUR 2001:


sweet

painted

ladysweet

painted

ladysweet

painted

lady

Summer is on its way, andthere should be a lot more

naked flesh about in thenorthern hemisphere. But somepeople will look decidedly"clothed" when they are not.That’s the tattoo brigade. Forall his extravagancies, Elton isnot known to have ever burnedhis skin in the name of lastingart, but some of his fans surehave.

One American fan, whocalls herself Eviltwin, has gonefurther. She has about half herbody covered in the permanentimages of Elton from differentscenes and eras.

George Matlock: You callyourself Eviltwin on yourwebsite. What's thesignificance of that name?

Eviltwin: I am an identical twin,I am the evil one of us two, so Ijust kinda earned the name thehonest way I suppose... now ithas stuck, my tag on my careven says "eviltwin"!

GM: What's your real name?

ET: My real name is TonieAnthony Jeter. My twin sister'sname is Tonia. No one actuallycalls me eviltwin in public oranything. Mostly it’s just "twin"or "sister" or "bitch"!! I am 26,and married.

What part of the world areyou from?

I live in North Carolina. I amactually quite disappointed withElton because he has not cometo Charlotte in almost four yearsnow. It's hard for me to see himotherwise!

Well, Tonie, you're definitelyno Grey Seal, judging by thearray of colourful tattoos onyour body. How did youcome by tattooing yourbody?

My twin sister got a tat aboveher knee of the raven (like E.A.Poe's) and so I thought hey!

that's pretty cool...So I thoughthard and long and settled onthe Captain Fantastic logo.While Luke (my tat artist) wasdoing it, we joked about doinga whole collage. Well anyonewho has a tat can tell you howaddictive they are. Nearly ayear later, I had finally decidedto go all out. Next I got theHarmony locket, then it justwent downhill from there! I getthem done a little at a time,$50 here, $25 there. Whatever Ican afford and whatever Lukehas time for.

Why did you choose Elton?

Because Elton is like a GOD!No seriously. I LOVE him! Iwanted to get something thatmeant something special to me.And my other interests areserial killers and horror films. Ithought that the Elton artworkmight be more presentable inpublic!

What parts of your body aretattooed? And which tattoois on which part?

The Elton tat is on my right legjust below my knee. It’s about 6inches tall and goes all the wayaround in a circle.

Dare I ask why you haveselected the tattoos for theirspecific coverage on thatpart of your body?

I am fat, there is no other wayaround it. I decided if it wasgonna be in an area thateveryone would see it wouldhave to be somewhere I washappy with. I wear shorts all thetime so I don’t mind peopleseeing my chubby legs!!

Do other parts of your bodysport tattoos?

I also have the symbol from myfavourite comic book characteron my shoulder blade(Rorschach from TheWatchmen) and "Thing One"from Dr. Suess on my upperarm. Except on its belly, instead

of Thing One, it says: "Twin A"because I was first, my sisterhas "Twin B"!

Was it painful to put thesetattoos on? And are they thereal thing? Not washable?

Anyone who says that theirtat did not hurt was eitherdrunk or stoned! It hurt likeheck, but Elton is a passion ofmine so I just sang through thepain!! Luke lets me pop in anElton CD (he is also a fan!) andwe both sing away while hescrapes the ink onto my body!Nope, not washable temporarystuff here. This is gonna stay forlife!

Is it possible to get theseitems in washable format?I'm sure many fans wouldsnap them up!

I don’t reckon they can. Theseare all Luke Edwards originals(aside from the album art that Ispecifically had him do, BlueMoves, and Captain Fantastic)the piece was done one tat at atime. We didn't plan it. It wasmade over a three year periodand about 30 man hours wasprobably put into it. I canrecollect how much money!(not enough I am sure, thisthing is priceless!) Luke isamazing, he leads a bandcalled Tater(www.tatertime.com) and runs abagel shop as well. He playedHoliday Inn at my weddingreception! I cried!

Well Tonie, it's been apleasure interviewing you.

Thanks for having me. Yourreaders are welcome to comeand check out the tats.. it isactually quite behind, [shemeans backlog here!]. I havegotten more since then! I amgetting Road to El Dorado donein a few weeks!

GEORGE MATLOCK CHATS TATS WITH EVILTWIN, ELTON’S ALTER EGO?

1989Our Common Future:Daniel & Sad Songs(also on BBC Radio 1)June 3

THE 90’S1990JANUARY

Diet Coke Advert (withPaula Abdul) U.S. TVcommercial – 3 versions

Arsenio Hall Show (2Live Songs, Interview)Jan. 19

FEBRUARY

Movietime News (BriefInterview)

APRIL

German TV. April Fool'shoax that Elton will buyGerman football club!

"Farm Aid" concertDaniel, I'm StillStanding, Candle in TheWind April 7

Kokomo, IN, RyanWhite's Funeral (SkylinePigeon, News Clips)April 11

MAY

MTV Unplugged

JUNE

International RockAwards uncensored"F**k" comment from EJJune 7

Terry Wogan, Sacrifice -declares all singlesroyalties to AIDScharities from now onJune 15

Knebworth ,UK June 30

JULY

MTV Week in Rock July27

AUGUST

MTV Rockumentary(Interviews, Music)

OCTOBER

To Be Continued(Special) VH1

Ryan White MovieEnding 2 Minutes

DECEMBER

Jonathan Ross Show

OTHER 1990

Atlantic City

E.T. Tonight : OnSacrifice

Sacre Soirre

ChipMunk's CrocodileRock

In Concert: Candle inthe Wind

Little Richard (no EJpresent here)

Sam K is a pig clip,International RockAward

Sam K: ET, Arsenio

Sam K issue: ET

VH1 to One

Italy TV: "Sacrifice" &"Club at the End of theStreet"

Ad for EJ in Montreal

CanTV-Knebworthpromo

Ent Tonight: Was NotWas

various. Taj Mahal

1991SEPTEMBER

Ent. Tonight Atlanta

Atlanta Aids Day(Performs Mona Lisa,Grapevine, Your Song)Sept 23

OCTOBER

E!TV Oct 23

Ent. Tonight EJ at PlanetHollywood Oct 24

NOVEMBER

Ent. Tonight, The WhoSaturday Nights AlrightNov 22

Ent Tonight on the DavidFrost Interview Nov 22

Ent. Tonight EJ inLondon

Ent. Tonight GeorgeMichael

OTHER 1991

David Frost Interview /Performs Candle in theWind

World Music Awards

Mr. John French TVSpecial

Atlanta Week

Mazda Advert (GoodbyeYellow Brick Rd.)

Two Rooms "Beat UK"

Diet Coke Advert (Solo)U.S. TV commercial

Queen "The Days of OurLives" (Brief Comment)

MTV Rain Forest Benefitclip

Box Set PromotionalPress Conference

Two Rooms Tribute ABCTV Sylvester Stallone

Ent. Tonight ClipsAtlanta Aids Walk

Now It Can Be Told: EJ

Jenny Jones: PhillipNorman

Nordoff Robbins - RodStewart

In Concert: 2 Roomspromo

1992Now It Can Be Told withGeraldo Rivera (Story)Feb 4

3-15-92 Nashville, TN(Dee Murray Tribute)March 15

Entertainment TonightClips from Dee MurrayBenefit March 17

APRIL

Diet Coke Advert w.other (deceased) artists!

Crook & Chase Show(Int, Live Clip, aboutDee Murray) April 2

London, UK (WembleyStadium, 2 Live Songs)April 20

MTV Day in Rock June 17

Barcelona, Spain (LiveConcert) July 21

AUGUST

CNN Showbiz interview

Good Morning America(Interview, clips FromAtlanta Show) Aug 12

Elton John Interviewfrom Brazil Aug 16

Shea Stadium Aug 21

CNN Headline NewsInterview Aug 24

MTV Week in Rock(Interview, Clapton/EJ)Aug 29

CNN : Phillip Norman

SEPTEMBER

MTV AWARDS (TheOne and Guns N’ RosesSept 9


Part 7 of our Collector’s Series on Elton’s TV andvideo optical epics, by George Matlock & SharonKalinoski. Should you be able to add or correctany details, please email:[email protected], or write to: HerculesUK, PO Box 315, Richmond, TW9 3QX, UK.

Please note thatHercules is unableto offer for sale orexchange itemslisted. We providethe listings forinformation recordonly. The series ismainly acompilation of USand UKperformances.However, wewelcome news ofother broadcasts.Thanks to WayneMartin for hisinvaluablecontribution to thisseries.

This series,when it firstappeared in late1998, was onlyproduced up to thattime. If you havedates for 1998,1999, and 2000,please submit themnow for a finaleshowreel of thisseries! In earlierepisodes, wedetailed Elton’scommercial videoreleases, as well aspromo videosingles from the1970s onward.Thanks for viewing!

Kale

idos

cope

Eye

s


OCTOBERMadison Square GardenOct 7Week In Rock MTV MSGAids Benefit Oct 12Regis & Kathy Lee: MSGClips of Madison SquareGarden Aids BenefitWalk of Fame ClipsHard Copy Lawsuit -Elton sues U.S. tabliodfor $35,000 afteralleging press intrusionLast Song Proceeds Clip,PublishingEnt. Tonight interviewand MSG Clip Oct 18MTV Lawsuit NewsEnt. Walk of FameawardHard Copy: Atlanta Oct 22E! TV Lawsuit Clip

NOVEMBERElton John with Variousartists at the BridgeSchool Concert inCalifornia Nov 1EJ Aids FoundationAdvert, TV commercialNov 11Arsenio Hall Show (1 LiveSong, Interview, Elton andBernie) Nov 16AIDS Benefit (2 newsclips) Nov 17MTV Rolling Stone's25th Anniversary(Comments) Nov 18MTV News Clip "I FeelPretty"Elton John Live inEstailo, Mexico

DECEMBERLetterman Top-10 Dec 23

OTHER 1992Whoopi Goldberg Show(Interview)ABC In Concert(Interview, Live Clips)Show Biz Today withPhillip Norman, MTVNews Concert with EricClaptonThe Hope ArkansasHigh School MarchingBand Tribute to EJElton John SuperstarWeekend off VH1Crook & Chase ClipEJ Days JapanWorld Music Awards

I'm Still Standing from92 Olympics

Paul Gens: Your Song

GRT Two Rooms promow. Oleta Adams " Don'tLet the Sun"

Rolling Stone on BiSex

Versace on EJ

MTV on EJ AIDSFoundation

ET on EJ's hair

Concert of Hope,Arizona Band Tribute

Live Last Song- Australia

1993Boston Concert April

2-8-93 PBS InterviewClip Feb 8

APRIL

New York, NY (AIDSBenefit, 3 Live Songs)April 27

CNN: Aretha FranklinDuets April 28

Head Line News onAtlanta Show May 8

JULY

Good Morning AmericaSunday July 25

ET: Smash Hits July 27

E! TV News Daily July28

SEPTEMBER

In a New Light (1 LiveSong) Sept 4

Jay Leno Show Sept 20

Tonight Show (LiveSong, Conversation)Sept 20

CNN Showbiz (Clip ofTennis Match) Sept 22

OCTOBER

CNN Showbiz (Clip ofPress Conference) Oct15

VH1 Music Talksinterview & Simple LifeOct 19

NOVEMBER

CNN: Daily Mirror Nov 5

CNN Headline NewsDaily Mirror Court CaseNov 15

Des O' Connor TonightU.K. Thames TV withKiki Dee singing "TrueLove" Nov 17

Various news clips fromLondon news on courtcase

DECEMBER

E! TV Daily News WorldAids Day Dec 1

In Concert DuetsSpecial

E! TV Rockers & Drugs

E! TV: Piano MenSpecial

OTHER 1993

Tommy: The AmazingJourney (Interview)

Piano Men Commercial

Live In Australia clipsfrom Aids Benefit

Ent. Tonight: AIDSauction (Canadian TV)

Ent. Tonight :Oscar Party

Regis & Kathy LeeSpecial: Aretha Franklin

More Fren-Can news

EJ Comes Clean

EJ's record sale

Inside Edition: MichaelJackson

Whoopi Goldberg:Bernie

APLA Commitment toLife award

VH1: Walden Woodsconcert

Seinfeld Clip

1994ABC Lion King specialJan 6

Rock 'n' Roll Hall ofFame Induction Jan 19

Barbara Walters Special(Interview, Music)March 21

Ent. Tonight Clips fromMovie Four Weddingsand a Funeral EJ SingsChapel of Love & ButNot For Me April 9

JUNE

The Making of The LionKing (Contains EltonJohn Interview)

The Lion King: AMusical Journey WithElton John June 15

Good Morning America:Lion King June 16

Top of The Pops "CanYou Feel The LoveTonight" June 23

JULY

This Morning Interview

7-11-94 E.T. TonightEJ&BJ Tour July 11

7-15-94 Good MorningAmerica (Int w. Eltonand Billy Joel) July 15

7-26-94 Elton John &Billy Joel Meadowlands,NJ. July 26

SEPTEMBER

9-15-94 Bravo TV onGeorge GershwinAlbum Elton Sings twoGershwin songs Sept 15

9-20-94 Barbara WaltersSpecial (with addedfootage) Sept 20

9-20-94 CNN Showbiz(Interview, Clips FromLos Angeles) Sept 20

OCTOBER

John Reid in rareswimming pool-sideinterview as a "businessleader"

NOVEMBER

ABC In Concert(Interview, Clips) Nov 12

CBS This Morning Nov 23

48 Hours Elton AidsFoundation : GivingThanks Nov 23

CNN: Out the Closet shopLondon, w. Herculesmembers Nov 28

DECEMBER

Elton & Ray Royal AlbertHall London, EnglandDec 1

OTHER 1994

CNN Oscar Party

VH1 Flix on the LionKing

MovieNews Special onThe Lion King

Hall of Fame: CBS,CNN, MTV

1995JANUARY

Golden Globe AwardsJan 21

Bernie on Life Styles

FEBRUARY

Brits Awards, Elton hostswith Ru Paul

Ent. Tonight on BelieveFeb 21

MTV Premiere ofBelieve Feb 22

MTV News on BritsAwards Feb 22

Grammy Nomination(Brief Comments)

MARCH

3-1-95 VH-1 GrammyInterview March 1

3-31-95, 1995 AcademyAwards, Oscar for "LionKing" song March 31

APRIL

Made In England VH1special April 5

Elton John Anthology"His Songs" VH1 April 5

David Letterman Show(Interview & Music"Made In England") May15

JUNE

Elton concert atEuroDisney's opening ofSpace Mountain nearParis

Elton John & Ray CooperDisney Special (1994 LAconcert) June 11

JULY

Carnegie Hall Highlightswith Sting and OthersJuly 5

VH1 Inside MusicWalden Woods Show

SEPTEMBER

CNN: 1996 Olympicscommercial uses Elton's"Georgia" U.S. TVcommercial Sept 25

South Bank Show onGershwin album

Today Show /3 PartInterview

South Bank Show, in UKon Gershwin album

NOVEMBER

Rio de Janerio concert

David Letterman Show(Interview & Music"Blessed") Nov 15

Regis & Kathy Lee(Interview w. EJ at theHard Rock Cafe) Nov 22

Planet Hollywoodcomes home (Eltonperforms "SaturdayNight's & Made InEngland")

George and Alana Show(Interview & Music)

Quarterly Fanzine. Issue 55. June 2001 27

TOUR DATESELTON JOHN SOLO TOUR 2001DATE CITY VENUE

07-July-2001 Beiteddine, Lebanon Beiteddine Palace

08-July-2001 Beiteddine, Lebanon Beiteddine Palace

10-July-2001 Bergerac, France Stadium

12-July-2001 Bremen, Germany Stadthalle

14-July-2001 Würzburg, Germany Residenzplatz

15-July-2001 Berlin, Germany Waldbühne

17-July-2001 Ephessos, Turkey The Grand Theatre

19-July-2001 St. Petersburg, Russia Pushkin Palace

21-July-2001 Riga, Latvia Skonto Stadium

22-July-2001 Tallin, Estonia Lauluväljakul

24-July-2001 Stockholm, Sweden The Globe

27-July-2001 Cassablanca, Marocco Stadium Mohamed V

2001Please note: This is not an official Tour Schedule, as it containsunconfirmed dates at time of going to press.

1 Idol2 Let me be Your Car3 Mellow4 I Cry at Night5 Leather Jackets6 Fascist Faces7 Soul Glove8 I Don’t Wanna Go On...9 Man10 Where To Now St. Peter?11 Feed Me12 Heavy Traffic

LYRIC QUIZ ANSWERS

SMALL ADSFree to Hercules members. Send yours toDavid Wright, Editor, 100 Winkworth Rd,Banstead, Surrey SM7 2QR, UK., or e-mail him at [email protected]

PEN PALS WANTED! I want to find pen-pals with

whom I can speak about Elton. Ifyou need a friend, write to:NATSHA KOVALENKO,DARZU84-4, REZEKNE,LATVIA,LV-4600.

ALWAYS let us know the expiry date ofthe card, and the cardholders name.

ALWAYS state your membership number ifyou send a cheque to Hercules, or pay into

one of the Club accounts.

PLEASE REMEMBER...

Please note that if you have paid yourMembership Fee by Credit Card, your cardwill automatically be charged again for therenewal fee, at the end of your membership

year. If your card has expired in themeantime, or if you have switched

companies, please forward your new CreditCard details to Hercules Coordination in time

for your next renewal.

DECEMBERCable Ace Awards /Elton wins award for"Disney Special w. RayCooper" Dec 2VH1 Fashion & MusicAwards (Blessed and TheBitch is Back with TinaTurner) Dec 3VH1 to One: Elton JohnDec 9

OTHER 1995MTV NEWS CLIP EltonPerforms "I Feel Pretty"

1996UK's ITV shows"Tantrums and Tiaras",later a video productionJuly

1997JULY1997 HalloDeutschland: Herculesteam interviewed atUNICEF Benefit Concertin Aschaffenburg, July 8Italian television, funeralof Gianni Versace, Milan

SEPTEMBERFuneral of Diana,performs Candle in theWind, Sept. 6U.K.'s ITV "An AudienceWith...Elton John" In1998 released as video,Sept 1997VH1 Storytellers Houseof Blues, New OrleansconcertThe Nanny sitcom, USTV. Elton makesappearanceConan O’Brien

OCTOBERMoline, IL concert

1998Elton & Billy Joelconcert, Tokyo, JapaneseTV, March 3

2000Party in the Park, Eltonet al perform Hyde Park,London, Channel 4 TV,July

NOVEMBERHercules members singCrocodile Rock onZurich TV for Eltonspecial. Also Eltonfeature at the home ofSwiss Hercules repBruno Kohli, afterZurich concert Nov. 28

HERCULES Hotline on 0906 888 20 20

For up-to-the-minute news about Elton, callers in the UK can phone the

HERCULES Hotline on 0906 888 20 20 Calls cost 60p per minute anytime

“Suitsyou Sir!!”

inside this issue - Hercules International Elton John Fan Club · inside this issue: Review of our ... The Elton John Fan Club ... SONGS FROM THE WEST COAST Elton told a French newspaper

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