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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 11
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Baby brings Rocket Man ‘back to Earth’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On the eve of the 15th anniversary of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the global nonprofit’s founder is the cover subject of the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
The prestigious publication devotes a six-page spread to the Peachtree Road resident and the $120 million his foundation has raised. On Friday, Buzz Central received an advance copy of the issue.
The piece opens with a large photograph of the singer at a South African hospital, holding an AIDS-infected infant. John reflects in the issue: “The baby was so beautiful. I said, ‘Is she going to make it?’ And they said, ‘No.’ And she died two days later. It’s the reality of seeing those things that brings you back to Earth. That’s why I need the foundation in my life. I don’t live in the real world. These people do. Those are the moments that the foundation kicks it home to me.”
With his trademark candor, John goes on to explain why the British office of the foundation has a mere nine employees, while the U.S. office maintains just four employees.
“We don’t want to get any bigger. Otherwise, how can you keep your eye on the ball? You can’t. I don’t want [staff] people driving around in Mercedes and having marble offices.”
As for the EJAF’s routine check-cutting practices, John says: “I don’t see the point of having a nest egg. We’re a charity, for God’s sake. People are dying and needing help now. If we need more, I’ll go out and do another two concerts.”
Talking to the big guys
When we turned up to cover Virgin chairman Richard Branson’s recent visit to Atlanta, we initially had to cool our heels in order for him to discuss global warming with the Weather Channel. As it turns out, it was all for a good cause. Branson’s interview will air on this week’s edition of “The Climate Code with Dr. Heidi Cullen” at 5 and 7 p.m. Sunday.
Since we somehow refrained from putting a water glass to our ear outside the Ritz-Carlton meeting room where the interview took place, Buzz was told that Sir Richard discussed “his $3 billion commitment to research for cleaner fuel alternative. And also, his reasons behind his decision and how he has moved from global warming skeptic to being concerned about climate change.” In the episode, Ted Turner is also profiled and talks about creating the “Captain Planet” cartoon and the Captain Planet Foundation, “along with the necessity of tackling the issue of climate change.” The Weather Channel folks couldn’t immediately say if Turner’s inevitable plug for Ted’s Montana Grill Flying D Bison Chili would make it onto the air…
Sick bay
The members of Bloc Party had an unusual after-party following the rock band’s opening stint for Panic at the Disco Thursday night at HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. Drummer Matt Tong was admitted to an Atlanta hospital where it was determined he has a collapsed lung. Doctors at the undisclosed hospital say Matt “is in a comfortable condition and not in any danger. He will, however, be staying in the hospital for at least the next three days for observation, and it’s not clear at this stage when Matt will be fit to resume performing,” according the reps for the band in an e-mail to Buzz on Friday. It was not immediately clear what caused the ailment. The band has canceled gigs in Charlotte and at New York’s Madison Square Garden next week, however.
Celebrity docket
Canadian cops said Friday that “Wild Things” thespian Denise Richards won’t face charges for thumping two elderly women with a pair of laptop computers that were heaved over a balcony during a tussle with paparazzi in western Canada.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at the River Rock Casino and Hotel after two photographers tried to snap pictures of Richards by gaining unauthorized access to the set where she’s filming a movie with Pamela Anderson.
The 90-and 81-year-old women in wheelchairs were sitting in the lobby when the computers hit them on their arms, causing minor injuries.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl. Peter Thiessen says it’s not in the public interest to bring criminal charges. Um, ladies: two words — civil suit.
Contributing: news services.
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