Times Square Gossip: ELTON JOHN

Rebecca Wang

Elton John has garnered support from some of the world's most philanthropic icons in the entertainment industry and with the recent endorsement Rebecca Wang, she continues to add to that distinguished list. A key benefactor at the 19th Annual Oscar Viewing Party, Rebecca Wang resumed her position again for a second-straight year this year as benefactor of the Elton John AIDS Foundation Viewing Party. This annual Oscar Viewing Party has taken place since 1992 and has been a showcase of elegance and generosity for two decades as Hollywood's most iconic stars gather during the Academy Awards to donate their time and money to fight the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Following Elton's viewing party, Rebecca Wang attended the exclusive Vanity Fair party as guest of the magazine's long time editor Graydon Carter.

Rebecca Wang, based out of London and Los Angeles, is an executive producer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Her first Hollywood film, PASSION PLAY, features renowned actors including Academy Award Nominees Mickey Rourke (THE WRESTLER) and Bill Murray (LOST IN TRANSLATION), accompanied by actress Megan Fox (TRANSFORMERS). Her previous charitable efforts have spanned health, humanitarian aid, and education in the arts, making her a perfect fit with Elton's crusade. Ms. Wang, an avid supporter of organizations such as the International Red Cross, British Red Cross, and the Prince's Drawing School, is delighted to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation for a second year. Wang is also a devoted patron of the arts. A patron of the Royal Academy of Arts, the National Gallery, the Serpentine Gallery, and the Tate Modern, which collectively contain some of the most prized art in world, featuring works from Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, and Andy Warhol.

Photo Courtesy Of: WireImage

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Katy Perry

AMAs – I watched last weekend’s AMAs and rather enjoyed it; fortunately this time around I knew most of the acts performing and presenting. Maroon 5 (currently riding the tops of the charts with their “Moves Like Jagger”) were just terrific. Since this band first hit big in 2005, they've been delivering some simply delicious music; sort of a pastiche of pure pop music and Stevie Wonder; and, Adam Levine has a voice that was made for TV and radio. When I first heard “Jagger” I knew it'd quickly become a massive hit. Sure enough, guest-vocalist Christina Aguilera showed up; looking a bit of a mess, if I can say. Amid all the rumors of tensions between her and Levine (they're both judges on NBC’s The Voice and have clashed repeatedly on the show!), when they finished the song, she stormed off … not even acknowledging Levine. Staged? Hard to tell, but it was noticed by almost every critic and certainly didn't do anything to change her somewhat-declining public image. Something is definitely not right in her camp; and, it’s a shame because her voice is really that good. Also, Jennifer Lopez was just sensational; performing two numbers (and, wearing some pretty fantastic Versace), including her scintillating “On The Floor.” The song is currently featured in her commercial for Fiat … and, don't you know … the car was featured in the stage presentation. To tell you the truth, I don’t ever remember a car being a part of a stage performance; but, these are indeed strange times. When she won, she thanked her manager Benny Medina … nice touch! And, she looked rather fab overall … terrific for a 43-year old. Taylor Swift won several awards, including Artist of the Year (besting Katy Perry, Adele and Lady Gaga), and though she’s great, her over-enthusiastic mode is running a bit dry for my taste. Nicki Minaj (who I haven't yet gotten!), Justin Bieber, The Band Perry and Kelly Clarkson all appeared as well. It certainly wasn't vintage-AMA (although AMA-stalwart Lionel Richie was sitting front-and-center) ... I fear those days are long gone … but, it was a fun show. Katy Perry did receive an achievement award for getting five No. 1 singles from her album Teenage Dream. She's the first female artist to reach that milestone from a single album. Pretty amazing … and, I think the current single, “The one That Got Away” is her strongest yet. Congrats Katy!

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DOORS -- Fans of iconic rock band The Doors are in for something special. The group's final album - 1971's L.A. WOMAN, with the signature hits “L.A. Woman,” “Love Her Madly,” and “Riders On The Storm” - is being celebrated with a special two-CD release from Rhino Records and a behind-the-scenes DVD/Blu-ray from Eagle Rock Entertainment. The L.A. WOMAN 40th anniversary edition features a never-before-heard song, “She Smells So Nice,” which captures the band--organist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, drummer John Densmore and late singer Jim Morrison -joyfully barreling through a full-throttle original before segueing into the blues standard “Rock Me.” As the song closes, Morrison can be heard chanting, “Mr. Mojo Risin’”- an anagram of his name that was made famous during the bridge of “L.A. Woman.” Recently discovered by producer Bruce Botnick while reviewing the L.A. WOMAN session tapes, a teaser clip of “She Smells So Nice” can be heard here: In addition to “She Smells So Nice,” the second disc of the L.A. WOMAN reissue includes eight never-before-heard versions of songs from the album. Alternate takes of “L.A. Woman,” “Love Her Madly” and “Riders On The Storm” offer a fresh view on this landmark album, which was the group's sixth straight Top 10. The studio chatter between the songs is a revelation too, transporting listeners to The Doors Workshop: the West Hollywood rehearsal space where they recorded the album with Botnick. One segment in particular captures a fascinating moment of inspiration when Morrison suggests they add the now-iconic thunderstorm sound effects to the beginning of “Riders On The Storm.” Rhino will also release L.A. Woman: The Workshop Sessions, L.A., a double LP featuring all of the previously unreleased material found on the CD collection on three sides of vinyl, with the fourth side featuring a laser etching of the original “Electric Woman” art originally included with the L.A. WOMAN album. Also, “Mr. Mojo Risin’: The Story of L.A. Woman” is told through new interviews with the band, as well as Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman, original manager Bill Siddons, engineer/co-producer Botnick and others. The high-definition video also features live and studio performances as well as rare archival photos. This fascinating documentary contains rare footage of the in the studio and on stage. L.A. WOMAN marked The Doors' swan song, as Morrison would pass away a few months after its release. At the time, Rolling Stone's Robert Meltzer called it “The Doors; greatest album ... a landmark worthy of dancing in the streets (5/27/71).” The Doors were the first band to release eight consecutive platinum albums and they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007.

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Chicago

CHICAGO ON CALL – Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, has announced a special live performance by the legendary rock band Chicago, Monday night (11-28) at B.B. Kings. The event, which will benefit MOC, includes hors d'oeuvres, open bar, and exclusive meet-and-greets for top sponsors. An auction running from October 27-November 17 on Charity Buzz (charitybuzz.com) will support MOC’s fundraising efforts, and includes a chance to bid on two front row seats to a Chicago concert and a chance to sing the hit song, “If You Leave Me Now” on stage with the band. The MOC event looks to be a very special and intimate experience for fans of the band, as they will be performing its most beloved songs--the multi-platinum and award-winning band boasts 21 Top 10 singles, 5 consecutive Number One albums, and 11 Number One singles. Chicago will also perform songs from their new Christmas album, O Christmas Three, which features special guests Dolly Parton, America, Steve Cropper, and BeBe Winans, and was produced by veteran producer Phil Ramone. Tickets can be purchased at www.musiciansoncall.org. We'll be there for a full re-cap.

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RAPPER SHANNON -- When I heard WPLJ’s Scott “Super” Shannon rap the intro to the legendary song “Rapper’s Delight” the other morning … I just had to smile. That’s why he’s still #1 … we love him!

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Lady Gaga

JOHN JOINS GAGA -- Elton John will reportedly join up with Lady Gaga for her next album. Gaga , who performed a duet with him on the soundtrack album to the animated opus Gnomeo and Juliet , said she is eager for another pass with the legendary piano man, "My next duet, I believe, will be with Elton. I'm already working on my next album, and I played him a song that I wrote and he really loved it." The pair performed at last year's Grammy Awards to much acclaim and she is the godmother to John and David Furnish’s son Zachary. The singer said last year that he no longer wanted to compete with new pop stars, claiming he was no longer able to pen pop songs himself: "I'm at that stage where I don't think I can write pop music anymore. I can't sit down and do a proper rock song. I like to do my little side-projects like Scissor Sisters and have fun, but I don't think Elton John will be putting any pop singles out!"

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Kirk Douglas

DOUGLAS & DOUGLAS -- We had the pleasure of attending Monday’s night Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl event at Chelsea Piers, where they were honoring 95-year old screen legend Kirk Douglas. Add to that, the fact that it was going to be presented by his son, Michael Douglas. After a thoroughly engaging introduction (and, film clips), Kirk walked on to be embraced by his son. Moving … to say the least! And, both of them looked great; it was a treasured moment. Honored as well, was actress Elle Fanning (almost 14!), who gave a warmly, passionate speech. We've been entranced by the actress ever since we caught her in the film by Sofia Coppola, Somewhere … and, her recent role in Super 8. She is tremendous and reported to be fantastic in the forthcoming We Bought A Zoo, with Matt Damon. Also seen at the stellar event, were: actor Jon Voight; Rita Cosby and Tomazcek Bednarek; PR-maven David Salidor; Leah Adler (Steven Spielberg's mother); and, of course, Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Photos By: James Edstrom/RD/GDP Photos/Orchon/Sara De Boer/Retna