ELTON JOHN STOPPED TRAFFIC ON THE SUNSET STRIP WITH SPECIAL CONCERT
“ELTON JOHN LIVE ON THE SUNSET STRIP”
SPECIAL GUEST LADY GAGA
EVENT TO THANK THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD FOR ITS SUPPORT OF
THE ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION AND ITS ACADEMY AWARDS VIEWING PARTY OVER MANY YEARS
CONCERT STREAMED LIVE EXCLUSIVELY ON AOL.COM
February 27, 2016 –Elton John stopped traffic along the iconic Sunset Strip on Saturday with thousands of fans lining the streets for a special concert to thank the city of West Hollywood and its residents for their continued support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and its Academy Awards Viewing Party over many years. The free 60 minute concert was held outside of the old Tower Records, a place very special to Elton. Fans around the world were able to enjoy the high-energy outdoor show, as it was streamed live exclusively on AOL.com. The show was co-presented by AOL BUILD and BBVA Compass.
The set list was packed with favorites including “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer” and a powerful rendition of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” with special guest Lady Gaga, plus new favorites from his recently released album Wonderful Crazy Night.
“The City of West Hollywood has welcomed the Elton John AIDS Foundation and our annual Academy Awards Viewing Party with open arms for many years, providing us with the perfect environment to host a really fun and special evening,” said Elton John. “We are profoundly grateful for their generous support, so I wanted to do something special just for them by giving our West Hollywood fans and supporters a surprise concert. Thank you, West Hollywood!”
“This event marks an incredible moment in our commitment to delivering live programming each and every day for audiences worldwide,” said Suzanne Lindbergh, Senior Vice President of AOL.com Live and Original Programming. “At AOL BUILD we’re honored to celebrate the iconic Elton John and his important message in a live digital broadcast event like no other.”
“West Hollywood has a special relationship with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, including as the host City to its annual Academy Awards Viewing Party. The Foundation has a vision that our community deeply embraces — that the fight against AIDS can be won,” said Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath. “Elton John is a music legend and an extraordinary person. I’m overjoyed that he played a special concert on The Sunset Strip in recognition of our city’s support — West Hollywood loves Elton John.”
“BBVA is proud to partner with Elton John this Oscar weekend in promoting our shared belief that everyone deserves dignity and a bright future,” said Jennifer Kelly Dominiquini, BBVA Chief Marketing and Digital Sales Officer.
Elton sat down with AOL BUILD to discuss why the event means so much to him; visit AOL.com to watch the interview.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) will present its 24th annual Academy Awards® Viewing Party Wonderful Crazy Night on Sunday, February 28, 2016, at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles. Elton John and David Furnish will host the gala event.
About Elton John AIDS Foundation
At EJAF, we believe that AIDS can be beaten. We act on that belief by raising funds for evidence-based programs and policies, and also by speaking out with honesty and compassion about the realities of people’s lives. Elton John created EJAF over twenty years ago, first in the United States in 1992 and then in the United Kingdom in 1993. Through hard work and with the help of our network of kind and generous friends and supporters, the two foundations together have raised more than $349 million over the past two decades to combat stigma, prevent infections, provide treatment and services, and motivate governments to end AIDS. The U.S. foundation focuses its efforts on programs in the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean, while the U.K. foundation funds HIV-related work in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Join us in speaking out, taking action, and contributing to our efforts to achieve a world without AIDS. For more information, please visit www.ejaf.org.
About AOL
AOL is a media technology company with a mission to simplify the internet for consumers and creators by unleashing the world’s best builders of culture and code. As one of the largest online properties with over 500 million monthly global consumers of its premium brands and combined Microsoft inventory, AOL is at the center of disruption of how content is being produced, distributed, consumed and monetized by connecting publishers with advertisers on its global, programmatic content and advertising platforms. AOL’s opportunity lies in shaping the future of the digitally connected world for decades to come. AOL is a subsidiary of Verizon. AOL BUILD is a live video series like no other that gives fans a chance to sit inches away from some of today’s biggest names in entertainment, tech, fashion and business as they share the stories behind their projects and passions.
About BBVA Compass
BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 672 branches, including 341 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 77 in Arizona, 62 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 20 in New Mexico, and commercial and private client offices throughout the U.S. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (4th). BBVA Compass recently earned top nods for best mobile app and best regional bank in the South & West in Money magazine’s annual list of the Best Banks in America. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at bbvacompass.com, by following @BBVACompassNews on Twitter or visiting newsroom.bbvacompass.com.
About the City of West Hollywood
The City of West Hollywood is like no other city in the world. Located in the heart of metropolitan Los Angeles, the city was incorporated in 1984 by a unique collaboration of people including LGBT activists and advocates for affordable housing. At only 1.9 square miles, West Hollywood is a robust economic and cultural center instilled with idealism, creativity, and innovation. A spirit of community activism and civic pride thrives in West Hollywood for many of its approximately 35,000 residents. The city has a strong progressive political voice and is filled with rich history. Tourists from all over the globe visit West Hollywood for its iconic destinations such as “The Sunset Strip.” It is unquestionably one of the most famous streets in the world for live music, dining and entertainment. Additional information about West Hollywood can be found at weho.org, by following @WeHoCity on Twitter or visiting weho.org/mediaroom.
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