Elton to join Shirley

Elton John has been added to Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebration in London next month.

Elton has announced that he will be performing a duet but he won’t say with whom yet. He has said it will be a “younger” artist. Word is he could be Duffy. Others are suggesting Eminem.

Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday Celebration will take place in Hyde Park, London on June 27th.

Above : at Elton’s 2007 Chopard charity bash 

Other acts scheduled to appear are Dame Shirley Bassey, Queen, Razorlight, Sugababes and a couple of Corrs.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton are also expected to be at the gig.

Thanks to Undercover.com.au

Links to previous pages about the celebration:

http://shirleybassey.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/june-27th-mandela-party-in-the-park/

http://shirleybassey.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/mandela-line-up/

http://shirleybassey.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/mandela-46664-concert-continued/

 

 

Yes it was Dame Shirley watching Elvis!

On a page dated 15th May, Gary wondered if this really was DSB at Elvis Presley’s legendary 1970 show in Las Vegas.

 http://shirleybassey.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/is-this-dsb-watching-elvis/

My friend Hope in L.A. sent this welcome confirmation:

 

“Hi Peggy,

 

A day or 2 late, I wanted to confirm that the photo at the Elvis concert is in fact Shirley, wearing one of her famous and lovely wigs.

 

Fans can also see her in this wig on the YouTube videos of her in concert in 1972 in front of a German TV audience singing a wonderful “Love Story (Where Do I Begin)”, a sexy “Diamonds Are Forever”, and a very sizzling version of “Light My Fire” along with”Big Spender”, etc.

 

These videos were added by our dear Scot from the TV special “All About Shirley” (I think.)

 

Also, it looks like the audience isn’t paying much attention throughout this concert, but I noticed several of the same audience shots for some of the different songs Shirley sang and concluded that the director first shot the audience waiting for the concert to begin,but then added these shots in later.

 

The poor choice of shots by the director makes it look like the audience isn’t giving Shirley the respect and consideration that she deserves!……..OY!

 

Warmest Wishes,

 

Hope

 

 

Photo – Bassey Praises

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61538604@N00/2390849185/

 

What a great photo!

 

Thanks to Ed

Red Sequin Gown

 

GOWN OF THE WEEK

 

 

The Red Sequin Gown ( Christie’s lot 25)

 

This gown was designed by Douglas Darnell in the late 1960′s to the design of the ‘cut out gowns’, ( see DSB in the silver lame and black harem gowns), but was reworked to this design in 1987.

 

The gown is recut on the bias, it consists of a fitted bodice, the gown made up of a red silk background, covered with ruby red sequins and Swarovski clear crystals. The back of the gown bears Dame Shirley’s trademark – the two long clear, crystal strands, ending in large tassels of clear and ruby rhinestones and beads, quite a mini chandelier really!

 

It’s a miracle how Dame Shirley would have moved in this during a 90 minute concert. Thee are no splits in the gown and it would have been very difficult to dance in!

 

The gown, in this form was first worn in 1988 on tour in the U.K. then in Barcelona in 1990 and again during The Dame’s U.K. tour of 1991.

 Final auction price £6,800

Do you have any memories of seeing DSB in this dress or were you even lucky enough to win it at the auction? Do share with us all!

 

Thanks to Ian our Gowns Guru