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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > March > 08 > Entry
Sir Elton works on ‘Captain’ sequel in Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
HOLLYWOOD — Perhaps sensing our Aretha Franklin-esque aversion to air travel, Elton John generously gave Buzz a scoop Sunday night during his 14th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation benefit Oscar party at the Pacific Design Center. The singer-songwriter confided that in addition to readying “Lestat” for Broadway and performing his “Red Piano” tour dates in Las Vegas, he’s been spending time in his adopted U.S. hometown recording.
“I’ve been in Atlanta recording for the past three weeks,” John said. “It’s going brilliantly. We’re halfway through.”
The pop star has been working with Atlanta engineer Matt Still, who also assisted John in producing his 2004 studio disc “Peachtree Road” in Atlanta.
The upcoming album is “The Captain and the Kid,” a long-awaited sequel to Sir Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin’s classic 1975 recording “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.” Presumably, the new album would pick up the storytelling threads of the first album’s song cycle 30 years later.
John told Buzz the new album is due in stores in September.
Maybe not the winning bid
As we reported Tuesday, “Basic Instinct” actress Sharon Stone was beaming Sunday night when her winning bid of $170,000 fetched her the singer’s signature Yamaha digital acoustic red piano, affectionately named Nikita by John. But Stone may not yet walk away with the instrument, which was signed by John just after he performed a pair of duets on it with Grammy winner John Legend at the party. The auctioneer made it clear that Stone’s bid could be trumped since the piano is still up for bid on eBay. The online auction, which runs until Thursday, benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Moneyed fans willing to outbid Stone can shop online at www.ebay.com/ejaf. FYI: Interested shoppers must pre-qualify for the red piano.
Star encounters
As an actual invited guest at Sir Elton’s annual Oscar bash (as opposed to, say, when we have to shimmy over a wall to cover a Jane Fonda G-CAPP benefit for Buzz readers), we must admit to feeling a smidge guilty strolling past the working reporters yelling questions from the standard press perch at the rope line outside the Pacific Design Center on Sunday afternoon. We also felt compelled to be on our best behavior (well, OK, our best possible behavior). Still, the nine-hour gala netted some opportunities to chat with celebrities.
“The Office” actor John Krasinski was trying to adjust to being a suddenly recognized star of a hit sitcom. “It’s been really wonderful,” he told us. The budding writer recently finished his first screenplay.
Attendee (and 1950s pin-up) Tab Hunter still generated lustful stares from women of a certain age (and, apparently, a few men) who once had his picture on their bedroom walls. Hunter told Buzz that while the film rights haven’t yet been snapped up to his 2005 memoir,”Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star,” people ask him about its casting. “I always get asked, ‘Who’s going to play you?,’ ” Hunter said, laughing. “I always reply, ‘Me? The question is who’s going to play my mother!’ “
Brunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel
We had to pop a few Aleve on Sunday after brunching in the Polo Lounge at the gorgeous, historic Beverly Hills Hotel off Sunset Boulevard that has housed Charlie Chaplin, Katharine Hepburn and Gloria Swanson. Outside on the patio, we endured repeated neck strain to ogle former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss, Paris Hilton, who requested a secluded table in the shade (waiters dutifully lugged over a 10-foot portable heater for the hotel heiress), and Chance Evans, the owner of Nuevo Laredo, one of Atlanta’s most beloved Mexican eateries. Inside, veteran ABC newswoman Barbara Walters was lunching with a female companion.
Sightings
As we were sprinting through the Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel Sunday morning looking for the complimentary coffee service that had somehow evaporated, it was reassuring to run into another caffeine junkie. Hidden behind dark shades, skin care queen and Home Shopping Network superstar Adrien Arpel was also in desperate need of java. Initially, the buzz-deprived Buzz suggested a hostile takeover of the tony hotel to Arpel. In an attempt to stave off the impending coup, an eavesdropping concierge directed us to the Blvd. bar. As she sipped, Arpel lamented the perils of aging. Cracked Arpel of “Sunset Boulevard” tragic turban-wrapped heroine Norma Desmond: ” ‘Sunset Boulevard’ is becoming my life!” Take it from us, Arpel’s products must work. She looked fab.
Twice during the weekend, Buzz shared an elevator with a distinguished gentleman who motored around the Beverly Wilshire on a red scooter. On Saturday night, our suspicions about his identity were confirmed when he popped on with two women, one of which was holding his famed Soil Strad violin case. And on Sunday at the Oscars, classical violinist Itzhak Perlman performed the best original score nominees. And yes, we are now relieved that we held the elevator door for him.
Oscar ratings down
Nielsen is reporting that an estimated 38.8 million people watched the Academy Awards on ABC, down 8 percent from last year and the worst since 2003, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Celebrity birthdays
Actress Lynn Redgrave is 63. Actor Aidan Quinn is 47. Singer Shawn Mullins is 38. Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. is 30. Singer Tom Chaplin of Keane is 27.
Contributing: news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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