The Queens of Pop: a look at today’s UK Press
Have you been thinking “the Re-Invention Tour is over, Madonna has disappeared from the public eye and is currently working on some new project, or just having a break, and therefore she doesn’t make the news anymore?” Well, we’ve all been proved wrong.
After Sir Elton John‘s comments at the Q Awards, the Queen has made the headlines once again, and the UK press is filled by shots from the Re-invention tour today, somehow even more than when the Tour actually stopped in Britain.
Here’s a collection of today’s press.
Elton blasts Madonna
3AM, The Mirror, Oct 5 2004
And the award for Top Tantrum goes to Sir Elton
If his recent rant at Taiwan airport is anything to go by, Sir Elton John is on fighting form at the moment.
The legendary singer was firing on all cylinders at the Q Magazine Awards yesterday when he launched a tirade against Madonna.
Sir Elton was presented with the Classic Songwriter gong at the ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. But in front of a stunned crowd, including U2, Bryan Ferry, Pet Shop Boys, Emma Bunton, Amy Winehouse and Elvis Costello, he delivered a hilarious rant about the queen of pop.
Earlier on in the ceremony, presented by Jonathan Ross, Madge had been nominated for Best Live Act and lost out to Muse. The nomination outraged the Rocket Man so much he could barely contain his anger by the time he got on stage.
The fuming star reached the podium and, while the crowd was still giving him a standing ovation, burst out: “Madonna – best f***ing live act? F*** off! Since when does lip synching count as live?”
And the superstar was just warming up.
“Sorry about that but I think anyone who lip synchs at a show which you pay £75 a ticket to see should be shot,” he continued to cheers from the audience.
“That’s me off the Christmas card list,” he laughed. “But do I give a f***? No!”
Elton: I hate Q all
Victoria Newton’s Bizzare, The Sun, Oct 5 2004
Elton John had one of his infamous tantrums at yesterday’s Q Awards and slagged off two of pop’s biggest stars. The ranting rock legend accused Robbie Williams of being two sandwiches short of a picnic then accused Madonna of miming before saying she should “f*** off.”
Sir Elt was speaking exclusively to me when he questioned Robbie’s mental health. The Rocket Man nearly went into orbit over comments from the Victor Meldrew of pop. The amazing outburst happened just minutes before the star-studded ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. And it wasn’t just Robbie that got a tongue lashing from Elt.
Madonna was savaged by the star as he accepted an award for classic songwriting. He branded her a fake who mimes during her shows after he learned she was nominated for Best Live Act.
He ranted: “Madonna up for Best Live Act? F*** off. Since when has lip-synching been live? “I think everyone who lip-synchs in public when people are paying £75 for a ticket should f*** off.”
Madge hit back at Sir Elton last night, denying she mimed on tour. Her US spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, said: “Madonna does not lip-synch. She sang every note of her Re-Invention tour live and is not ashamed that she was well paid for her hard work.”
And Madge showed she was not taking Elton’s remarks too seriously. Her aide added: “Elton John remains on her Christmas card list whether he is nice … or naughty.”
From today’s Daily Express – click to zOOm
From today’s Daily Star – click to zOOm
Q Awards – Sir Elton blasts “cheat” Madonna
By Adam Sherwin, The Times, Oct 5, 2004.
Sir Elton John accused Madonna of cheating her fans last night, saying that she had mimed during her recent concert tour. Sir Elton turned heckler, shouting abuse from the audience as Madonna was nominated as best live act at the Q Magazine Awards ceremony. Then he continued the assault when he collected the Classic Songwrighter award, saying: “Since when has lip-synching been playing live? Anyone who lip-synchs in public when you have paid £75 to see them should be shot.”
Sir Elton is in a combative mood: the outburst came a week after he called photographers “vile pigs” for harassing him at an airport.
Madonna brushed off the attack, however, and denied miming to any songs on the tour. Her Amserican spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, said in a statement: “Madonna does not lip-synch nor does she spend her time trashing other artists. She sang every note of her Reinvention tour live and is not ashamed that she was well paid for her hard work.”
Images from www.pressdisplay.com – newspaper replicas from around the world