Elton's Red Piano Goes Global

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sir Elton John's celebrated Las Vegas "Red Piano" show is gearing up for a trip around the world, with stops in England, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Sweden and Norway, as was reported in a recent issue of Billboard magazine. The traveling version of the show, which will cost $2-$3 million to reproduce, will make its first European debut November 19 in Birmingham, England. The Vegas show has raked in around $140 million since 2004 and will continue to call Caesars Palace home through April 2009.

Elton Stands on the Piano
Yamaha Artist Sir Elton John
If you aren't able to see the show live at its home venue or at one of the new international venues, you can now watch the show right in your living room thanks to the retail outlet Best Buy. Best Buy recently announced the sale of a new two-DVD/two-CD set through a Sunday paper insert that was distributed to millions. "The Red Piano Collection" is currently available and features the 14-song performance of the "Red Piano" show and a documentary about its creation. For a sneak peek of Elton with his beloved Yamaha, a trailer of the collection can be seen on Best Buy's website.

In other Elton news, on October 10, he hosted a special benefit event for the Elton John Aids Foundation titled "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", which featured a diverse group of guest artists from across the entire spectrum of the entertainment industry, including many Broadway stars. The guests performed all 17 songs from the classic double album, and Yamaha artist Rufus Wainwright ended the night with the show's namesake song.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.