Sir Elton John says he is “too old” to change his music

The 63-year-old pop star is a huge fan of dance records and is always on the look-out for new artists but he would never record an electronic LP because it wouldn’t suit his style.

Elton – who is famous for his piano-inspired sound – said: “I’m always listening to new music. I really love electronic and dance stuff, like Royksopp and Robyn. But I could never do stuff like that because I’m 63 and too old. If I ever tried I wouldn’t be true to myself.”

Although he is a huge fan of modern music the flamboyant songwriter still enjoys listening to older artists and admits The Rolling Stones are one of his favourite rock bands of all-time.

Elton – whose new LP ‘The Union is a collaboration with singer-songwriter Leon Russell - explained: “The Rolling Stones album ‘Exile On Main St’ is one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll records ever made. It was done live, so it’s very loose, a little rough around the edges and isn’t always in perfect time. But that’s the beauty of it, the qualities that make it special.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The Rolling Stones guitarist was arrested and questioned by officers following an argument between him and his ex-girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova in Esher, Surrey earlier this month.

A Surrey Police spokesman said: “A 62-year-old man from Esher has been cautioned for common assault in connection with a domestic incident in Claygate high street on Wednesday December 2.”

The 62-year-old rocker – who was divorced by his wife Jo last month on the grounds of adultery after he began a relationship with the 21-year-old Russian cocktail waitress – was initially released on bail.

The couple’s relationship became more tempestuous in recent months with Ekaterina previously threatening to kill herself, and Ronnie, at one point, moving his belongings out of their home.

They split following the row and Ekaterina has since branded Ronnie an “evil goblin” and blamed his reliance on alcohol for wrecking their romance.

Ekaterina insists their 16-month relationship started to turn sour after they moved into a rented “fairytale” turreted castle.

She said: “The whole thing started off like a fairytale. Then it felt like an evil fairytale. When Ronnie and I moved into a tower my friends were laughing and saying I was like the princess trapped in the tower. I’d be trapped there with an evil goblin king.

“It was like trying to keep a child under control. In the end I was so unimpressed by everything. I found it very fake.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The Rolling Stones rocker has called time on his turbulent 18-month romance with the 20-year-old Russian waitress following a string of explosive rows – the latest of which saw him arrested for allegedly assaulting her last week – and has turned to ex-wife Jo Wood for support.

Jo said: “I was very upset to hear about what happened last week and I’ve spoken to Ronnie.

“In fact, I called him after he came out of the police station to see how he was coping and he told me not to worry and that he’s going to be OK.

“But he said he has split up with that girl for good. It’s over. He won’t be going back to her. There’s no going back for him, he’s adamant about that.

“We’re still speaking and he’s been talking with our daughter Leah, too, and told her the same thing.”

Despite putting their acrimonious divorce behind them, Jo insists she doesn’t want to get back with the 62-year-old rocker.

The former model – who was married to Ronnie for 23 years before he left her for Ekaterina last summer – told the Daily Mail newspaper: “But before people ask or assume that we might be getting back together, we’re not. Absolutely not. I’m very happy being single at the moment and I’m enjoying life.”

Jo, 54, is so determined to move on from Ronnie she is even selling their former marital home in Surrey to move to London.

She added: “I’ve decided to sell the house here and move out and I’m looking to buy a lovely apartment in town, close to all the parties and so I can be near to my friends.

“This house has so much history and so many memories for me but it’s time for someone else with a big family to enjoy it.

“My kids are getting older and I don’t want to be rattling around here on my own.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The Rolling Stones guitarist was arrested on suspicion of assault on Wednesday night (02.12.09) and allegedly dragged 20-year-old Russian cocktail waitress Ekaterina Ivanova by her neck during a drunken row in the street which spanned 30 minutes.

A police source said: “Ekaterina was very distressed and had cuts on her knees from where it seemed she had been dragged along the street. But she was insistent she didn’t want police involved. Despite her refusal, witnesses allege this was a potentially assault and he may face charges. We’re looking at allegations that at one point he had her by the scruff of her neck and her collar was so tight she seemed to be choking.”

At one stage, the angry 62-year-old rocker had the young beauty pinned to the ground.

Celine Dixon, 20, and her boyfriend Phillip Legge, 30 – who live by Claygate High Street, Esher, where the incident took place – were forced to intervene when they heard the red-headed beauty making “choking sounds” from the road.

Celine told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “We heard a woman screaming, then saw a man pinning her to the ground. He was shouting at her then we heard choking sounds so my boyfriend rushed out to help. When he got outside he realised it was Ronnie and Ekaterina.”

Ronnie is believed to have left after being confronted by Phillip.

He said: “I heard her say, ‘Ouch, stop it’.

He added to the Daily Star: “He was yelling, ‘You are a f***ing b*****d,’ and then ‘you are a f***ing w***er’ and it was really loud.”

“She was in a terrible state. Her tights were ripped and there were grazes all over her legs.”

Ekaterina told the couple the row began after they had been out for dinner at The Bengal Lancer restaurant near their house in Esher, Surrey.

It is believed the row kicked off when Ronnie – who had been allegedly drinking whisky and vodka – got angry that Ekaterina wanted to stay out rather than go back to their home.

Ronnie was arrested at his rented home and spent the night in police custody at Staines Police Station. He was freed yesterday (03.12.09) on police bail pending further inquiries.

Source: BANG Showbiz

The Rolling Stones guitarist was taken into custody in Claygate, Esher, last night (02.12.09) after officers were called by his girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova, 20, who alleged he attacked her during a row.

The 62-year-old rocker – who was divorced by his wife Jo last month on the grounds of adultery after he began a relationship with the Russian cocktail waitress – was released on bail this afternoon (03.12.09).

A spokesman for Surrey police said: “We can confirm that a 62-year-old man from Esher, Surrey, was arrested last night on suspicion of assault in connection with a domestic incident in Claygate high street.

“He has been released on bail till a date in January pending further inquiries.”

The couple’s relationship has become more tempestuous in recent months with Ekaterina previously threatening to kill herself and Ronnie at one point moving his belongings out of their home.

Ekaterina – who started her romance with the musician in 2008 –reportedly threatened to reveal everything about their relationship if he refused to take her back.

A source said: “They were definitely on the rocks – the rows were huge. He’s really unhappy. It’s a bit of a fiery relationship.”

Ronnie’s spokesman confirmed he was arrested after an “incident”, but is yet to comment further.

Source: BANG Showbiz

According to music website eFestivals, the Devonshire trio are set to confirm they will headline the world famous music event next June, joining former tour mates U2 in topping the bill at the 40th anniversary of the festival.

The website wrote: “We are confident that the information we’ve received is good and we fully expect to see Muse confirmed to play at some point over the coming months.”

The Rolling Stones – who are said to be planning a 2010 World Tour – are heavily rumoured to be the third act headlining the festival.

Organiser Michael Eavis had reportedly been in talks with U2 for months about taking one of the three headlining slots.

A source said: “Eavis has been asking them for a while now and really stepped up the effort this year. This could be an iconic moment. The fact U2 have never played Glastonbury in their 32-year career only adds to the mystique.”

The Glastonbury Festival takes place from June 23 to June 27 at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset. All tickets for the event are completely sold out, despite no line-up announcements being made.

Source: BANG Showbiz

The ‘Umbrella’ singer has been asked to sing at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi to help revellers see in 2010 in what will be her first performance in the Middle East.

A source told the New York Post newspaper: “She was supposed to perform back in May but she cancelled in the aftermath of the assault. This is a make-up date.”

Rihanna had been due to perform in Dubai earlier this year, which would have been her first show since she was attacked by ex-boyfriend Chris Brown in February.

However, she cancelled the concert as she felt she wasn’t ready to return to the stage.

Rihanna will not be the first star to earn a vast amount of money for a one-off concert.

On New Year’s Eve 2006, George Michael was paid $2.6 million to perform 13 songs at a party for Russian nickel magnate Vladimir Potanin and a few months later was given around $2.5 million to sing at the 55th birthday party of Sir Philip Green, the owner British fashion chain Topshop.

Last year, it was revealed Amy Winehouse was paid $1.6 million to perform in an old Russian bus garage for Daria ‘Dasha’ Zhukova – the girlfriend of Chelsea Football Club owner, billionaire Roman Abramovich.

The Rolling Stones were paid around $7.3 million for playing at the 60th birthday bash of billionaire David Bonderman.

Source: BANG Showbiz

The music event’s organiser Michael Eavis has signed up the Irish rockers – Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. – to perform for the first time at the world famous festival which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year.

A source said: “Everyone is over the moon that the deal has been done. Michael really wanted a huge name for the 40th anniversary and the fact U2 have never played Glastonbury in their 32-year career only adds to the mystique.”

The ‘Get On Your Boots’ hitmakers – who will headline the festival on Friday June 25, in Somerset, England – have been in discussions with Michael, 74, for some time.

The source added to Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “Eavis has been asking them for a while now and really stepped up the effort this year. This could be an iconic moment.”

Glastonbury tickets sold out just hours after their release last month, even though no acts had been named.

At the time, Michael promised the festival would be full of the world’s best musicians.

He said: “There will be three or four superstars. The expectations are really high and we’re trying to get the best headliners in the world.”

‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ singer Andy Williams recently revealed he had also been booked to perform at the world-famous event.

Veteran rockers The Rolling Stones are favourites to headline the final night of the three-day event, while Radiohead and Beyonce Knowles have also been tipped to appear.

Source: BANG Showbiz