Elton John becomes latest to sign for Shanghai show

Elton John becomes latestto sign for Shanghai show
SHANGHAI, China -- Hold on to your sunglasses, Shanghai.
Elton John will sing his hits in China's commercial center in September in his first China appearances, local promoters said Friday.
The shows at Shanghai's Grand Stage could be the prelude to a full China tour within two years, said Yang Yibin, deputy general manager of Xin Xin Sports Development.
The 57-year-old performer, known for his flamboyant stage clothes and exotic sunglasses, has recently taken a break from touring to score the songs for the stage version of the film "Billy Elliot."
John is the latest Western pop star to book dates in Shanghai. Whitney Houston is scheduled to appear next month, and the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears also are planning shows.
Concerns of homophobialead to show cancellation
LONDON -- A concert by Beenie Man was canceled after police questioned the Jamaican dancehall star about his allegedly homophobic lyrics, the Ocean nightclub said Friday.
Beenie Man, whose real name is Anthony Davis, had been set to appear in London on Thursday night as part of his European tour.
The 30-year-old performer is one of the biggest names in the dancehall scene and had a top-10 hit with his single "Dude." But human-rights campaigners say songs such as "Bad Man Chi Chi Man (Bad Man, Queer Man)" could incite violence against gay men.
In a statement, Ocean nightclub in Hackney, east London, said the cancellation was the result of "concerns for public safety and following discussions with the Metropolitan Police."
Police said they didn't ask for the concert to be canceled.
"Officers from the Race and Violent Crime Taskforce have had an informal discussion with a performer as a result of a complaint received that while visiting the country he may perform songs containing some lyrics that are an incitement to homophobic murder and violence," a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.
Diana Ross concertbenefits teen center
GREENWICH, Conn. -- Diana Ross took more than 2,000 people on a trip down memory lane during a 90-minute concert in her hometown of Greenwich that benefited a local teen center.
Ross performed nearly two dozen of her most popular songs from her 40-year career Thursday night, the Greenwich Time reported. General seating for the concert was free, but some 400 people paid $250 to $1,000 for premium seating near the stage.
"Thank you," the 60-year-old singer said to the crowd during one of her breaks. "I can't see you all but I know you all are there."
She threw a kiss to her sons, Evan and Ross Naess, while singing "Endless Love." Her sons are active at the Arch Street teen center, which has been facing an operating deficit.
Today's birthdays
Actress Eleanor Parker is 82. Jazz musician-film composer Dave Grusin is 70. Actor Josef Sommer is 70. Singer Billy Davis Jr. (The Fifth Dimension) is 64. Singer Georgie Fame is 61. Actor Clive Francis is 58. Actor Robert Davi is 50. Singer-musician Mick Jones is 49. Actor Gedde Watanabe is 49. Rock singer Chris Isaak is 48. Rock singer Patty Smyth is 47. Singer Terri Nunn (Berlin) is 43. Actor Mark McKinney is 42. Rock singer Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays) is 41. Rock musician Colin Greenwood (Radiohead) is 35. Actor Sean Hayes is 34. Actor Chris O'Donnell is 34. Country singer Gretchen Wilson is 30.
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