Business Unit News
Sir Elton John to Perform on Idol Gives Back on Behalf of Elton John AIDS
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Joins Special as Not-For-Profit Partner
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 – As part of his global
effort to raise awareness for and to end HIV/AIDS, Sir Elton
John will perform on Idol Gives Back, airing Wednesday,
April 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, on
behalf of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Alicia Keys, Carrie
Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox, Jeff Beck & Joss
Stone and Mary J. Blige & the All-Star Band will also perform.
In addition, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has joined
Idol Gives Back as a not-for-profit partner on the charity
special.
Iconic superstar Sir Elton John has become a legend since
forming his first band in 1961 and continues to sell out
concerts all over the world. In 1992 in the U.S., and then in
1993 in the U.K., John established the Elton John AIDS
Foundation to support innovative HIV prevention programs,
efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with
HIV/AIDS and direct care and support services for people living
with the disease. Collectively, the two organizations have
raised $220 million since inception in support of projects in 55
countries around the world, including significant funding
dedicated to programs in their respective home countries. John’s
collaboration with Tim Rice on the music for “The Lion King”
garnered him a Grammy Award and an Academy Award in 1994. In
2004, John and his band began a residency at The Colosseum at
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for “The Red Piano,” which ran until
April 2009 and totaled 241 shows. In 2006, he released the
autobiographical album, “The Captain & The Kid,” the sequel to
“Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.” In 2007, John
released “Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits,” a collection of 18
classic hit songs. Also that year, for the first time ever,
John’s entire catalogue of nearly 500 tracks (90 singles and 32
albums) became available to download legally. John will be on
the road in 2010 with Billy Joel and with Ray Cooper, as well as
with his band, including Bob Birch, Kim Bullard, Davey Johnstone,
John Mahon and Nigel Olsson. He will also be in the studio
recording a new album in collaboration with Bernie Taupin and
Leon Russell.
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates
Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive
lives. In an interview with host Ryan Seacrest, Bill and Melinda
Gates will describe their commitment to improving health around
the world, and share why they are so optimistic that support for
Idol Gives Back can make a difference and save lives.
The brainchild of Simon Fuller, Idol Gives Back has
made history by raising over $140 million for charity to date.
This year’s special celebration will help raise awareness and
funds to benefit various U.S. and international charities,
including Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No
More, Save the Children’s U.S. Programs and the United Nations
Foundation.
As previously announced, News Corporation, Ford Motor Company,
Coca-Cola, AT&T and ExxonMobil will return as corporate sponsors
of Idol Gives Back and will generously donate to the
historic Emmy Award-winning television event. Viewers will once
again be able to make donations during and following the show.
In addition, the week’s voting results will be revealed, sending
one of the finalists home.
Tickets are currently on sale for the Idol Gives Back
celebration at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and can be
purchased by calling 1-800-745-3000 or by visiting
ticketmaster.com. Net proceeds from ticket sales will go to the
Idol Gives Back Foundation.
Additionally, viewers can visit
www.idolgivesback.org now and
join the “Help Me Give Back” program, an online initiative that
empowers individuals and teams to help raise money for Idol
Gives Back. The website also allows access to an online
auction featuring one-of-a-kind items such as an American
Idol Season Ticket Pass, a Meet & Greet with Simon Cowell,
a pair of autographed sneakers from Ellen DeGeneres and more.
Net proceeds will benefit the Idol Gives Back
Foundation, and the auction runs until 11:59 PM PT on Tuesday,
April 20.
American Idol is created and executive-produced by
Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and
executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia
North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer,
FremantleMedia North America. The series features host Ryan
Seacrest and judges Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Kara
DioGuardi and Randy Jackson.
Visit americanidol.com
for more information on Idol Gives Back in addition to
exclusive videos, photos, special behind-the-scenes information
and all of your American Idol news.
Contact:
Jill Hudson
310-369-2953
jill.hudson@fox.com
Alex Gillespie
212-556-2519
alexandra.gillespie@fox.com
Jennifer Sprague
310-369-5650
jennifer.sprague@fox.com