Elton John played in Sun City and other South African Venues During Apartheid

[Ian David]

Elton John Concerts and Tours


07 Oct 1983 Sun City Casino Johannesburg South Africa unknown
07 Oct 1983 Sun City Casino Johannesburg South Africa unknown details
06 Dec 1993 The Superbowl Sun City South Africa elton john and ray cooper
07 Dec 1993 The Superbowl Sun City South Africa elton john and ray cooper
09 Dec 1993 The Superbowl Sun City South Africa elton john and ray cooper
10 Dec 1993 The Superbowl Sun City South Africa elton john and ray cooper

More:
http://www.eltonography.com/cgi-bin/find_concerts.cgi?LOC=South%20Africa




Sun City: South Africa-lite

Once a low-rent, whites-only Las Vegas, Sun City is determined to reinvent itself as a glitzy surf-and-safari destination. But has anything really changed?

<snip>

While the rest of the world was waking up to the evils of apartheid, the resort at Sun City was providing white South Africans with the opportunity to wake up to the dubious delights of high kicking showgirls. It was built in 1979 to capitalise on a loophole in gambling laws that exempted the Tswana tribe, in the dry bush lands two hours north of Johannesburg, from the otherwise strict regulations. It quickly became a casino oasis where those with money to spend could catch a lascivious show or see an international rock star pretending that playing Sun City was no different than playing Vegas.

Like everything else in South Africa, this resort has had to change. With the gaming monopoly gone now that the area is part of the north-west province of the country where gambling is no longer illegal, Sun City has had to start selling a different dream.

<snip>

I'm reminded of the stock excuse rolled out by everyone from Elton John to Queen when asked why they had chosen to shrug off the boycott of South Africa at the height of apartheid and play the resort. They had always done so on the understanding that Sun City wasn't really South Africa anyway. As the towers of the Palace loom large and thoughts turn to the drive back to Johannesburg, I feel I can agree with that much at least.

More:
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/africa/sun-city-south-africalite-497205.html


Entertainment Tonight: Celebrities march against South Africa's apartheid (1985)
Topic started by hadrons on Jan-12-09 05:24 PM (1 replies)
Last modified by burning rain on Jan-12-09 10:34 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=385&topic_id=258862

"Sun City" by Artists United Against Apartheid
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=472597&mesg_id=472597

Elton John sings at Limbaugh reception...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8499557&mesg_id=8499557

[Ken Burch]

1. Rod Stewart was notorious for doing that too:

Those two probably inspired "Sun City" by Artists United Against Apartheid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjWENNe29qc

(viewer warning: Frightening Eighties Hairstyles).

[blondeatlast]

2. I kinda thought he did but couldn't remember for sure.

At least he's consistent. I haven't given him a moment's listen since the Taupin arrangement ended for whatever reason. John can't write a lyric to save his life.

[Walk away]

3. I think it's just a "Pimp Yourself out as a Whore" thing.

I can't believe everyone is overreacting to his show of support for an evil, racist regime and his celebrating a big, racist, sexist hate monger on that monger's big day!

Did anyone actually think Captain Fantastic was really fantastic? I think no.

[Starry Messenger]

4. And?

I don't think anyone ever claimed he was some champion for social justice.

[Ian David]

5. That's a very good point. n/t