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Elton John pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, confesses love for Toronto in memorable farewell

If this was Elton John’s Toronto swan song in terms of concert appearances — he plans to retire from touring live next year — then it was a doozy. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star If this was Sir Elton John‘s Toronto swansong in terms of concert appearances, then it was a doozy. Performing in front of a crowd of 45,000 fans for the second night in a row…

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Elton John talks about the magic of collaboration and his new album The Lockdown Sessions

By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Sometimes no plans are the best plans.  According to British pop superstar Sir Elton John, his star-studded, upcoming 32nd studio album, The Lockdown Sessions,  out October 22, wouldn’t have happened without an invitation from Charlie Puth, the L.A.-based singer and songwriter of the hits “Marvin Gaye,” “Attention” and “How Long,” to write in his studio.  “I had no plans to make any music at all,…


Elton John still rocks, but with a little less falsetto

The venerable British pop star brought out the old favourites at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Feb. 6, 2014.   By: Nick Krewen Music, Published on Fri Feb 07 2014 Elton John 3 stars Air Canada Centre, Feb. 6 Goodbye yellow brick road, hello memory lane. Elton John unspooled another one of his almost three-hour, 28-song marathons at the Air Canada Centre on Thursday night and it was…


Canadian composer Mychael Danna scores another hit with Life of Pi

Toronto composer takes no shortcuts when writing music for movies Canadian Mychael Danna is nominated for a Golden Globe for best original score for his work on Ang Lee film Life of Pi. “There’s something really wonderful about being the musical interpreter of a film,” he says. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Jan 02 2013   When it comes to writing music for movies, Mychael…


Herbie Hancock gives it all a try

Herbie Hancock gives it all a try | Toronto Star Longtime Gershwin fan’s Massey Hall show just latest outlet for broad-minded creator.   Herbie Hancock at home with keyboards both acoustic and electronic … thanks to Miles Davis. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Thu Oct 20 2011 Legendary jazz innovator Herbie Hancock might be considered something of a prodigy, but that doesn’t mean he’s taking his upcoming…