Sir Elton ad break for NME
SIR Elton John has recalled how answering an advertisement in longrunning music magazine NME changed his life... just as the publication released its final ever weekly print edition.
The hitmaker paid tribute to the mag as it announced it was focusing solely on its digital output after Friday’s last free print edition.
Publishers Time Inc announced the news earlier this week, citing rising production costs and a “tough” advertising market.
Dozens of musicians, journalists and readers shared memories of the mag, which features rising star Stefflon Don on the front of its final issue.
Sir Elton recalled how he had met his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin through NME’s ads and thanked it for journalist Charles Shaar Murray.
He tweeted: “When I was a teenager, I read you from cover to cover. I met Bernie through an ad in the back.
“It changed my life forever. Thanks for so many memories, and Charles Shaar Murray.”
Sir Elton previously revealed the duo both answered the same ad looking for songwriters in the NME in London in 1967.
Taupin travelled from his home in Lincolnshire to stay with Elton’s family in Pinner.
Although they failed the subsequent audition, they went on to create more than 30 albums together.
Foals, Kasabian, The Clash, Lily Allen, Mogwai and journalist Danny Baker were among other stars paying tribute to the music magazine which launched in 1952 and went free in September 2015.
The development comes at a tumultuous time for magazines, with Glamour announcing it would print a paper magazine only twice a year, and with its online site focusing on beauty. Mexican police are trying to trap a 1300lb African hippo which has been roaming loose in swamp in the south of the country, fearing the beast will attack someone. SCOTS singing hopeful Saskia Eng has gained the support of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in her bid for telly stardom.
The 16-year-old from Edinburgh wowed fans and judges on The Voice when she aced her blind audition last month, being selected for the knock-out rounds of the hit talent show, and was then inundated with messages on social media — including the SNP leader’s backing. Saskia was thrilled with all the kind words, which also included a tweet from Hannah Reid of London Grammar, whose song Strong she performed on stage.
Sturgeon tweeted: “Congratulations, Saskia”, while Reid said: “Thank you so much for singing Strong last night. You are incredible, I loved it. Will be supporting you all the way.”
Saskia said: “There was quite a lot happening and had people getting in touch like Nicola Sturgeon tweeting me and Hannah Reid tweeting me and congratulating me.
“It felt really good to get that support.”
Having been picked by Sir Tom Jones to go through, tonight Saskia will have a head-to-head battle with fellow Team Tom hopeful Ruti. They will both sing Dog Days Are Over by Florence & The Machine for the right to compete in the next stage.
Saskia, who shot to fame seven years ago auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent when she was only nine years old, said she has been loving working with the Welsh singing legend.
“I’d been hoping for Tom, but at the time I wasn’t even certain anyone was turning around because he’d left it to near the end of the song so I was quite surprised and just kept singing.
“He has been great. He helps you with your confidence and makes sure you are ready for the battle.
“It’s a competition at the end of the day, so I need to sing my best and see what happens.
“It’s a tough competition but that’s the point.
”I’ve been working hard and rehearsing for the battle, making sure I’m prepared.” l The Voice is on STV at 8.30pm tonight.
Hippo la vista