Security News > 2007 > July > Sir Elton rages as princes' security guard makes him walk to post-gig party
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=465770&in_page_id=1773 By Richard Simpson 3rd July 2007 As a member of rock 'n' roll royalty, Sir Elton John does not take kindly to being outranked. Not even by Princes William and Harry. So when his chauffeur-driven people carrier was stopped because of royal security around the Concert for Diana, the veteran singer flew into one of the rages for which he is renowned. "Get out of my ****ing way," he screamed at a policeman. "Don't you know who I am? I've been working all ****ing day and I need to get to my ****ing dressing room." The officer, however, remained unmoved and eventually the 60-yearold star, in tail suit with an extravagant lily motif on the sleeve, was forced to get out and trudge the 50 yards to the VIP backstage area. The incident happened late on Sunday night following Sir Elton's performance in the grand finale of the concert at the new Wembley Stadium. He was upset because his act was delayed by technical problems, meaning he had to cut it short. And matters took a turn for the worse when he climbed into his people carrier to be taken to the Wembley Arena 200 yards away, where the stars had their dressing rooms and the after-concert party was being held. By the time he arrived, police had sealed off the area ready for the princes' arrival. For security reasons, all vehicles were barred from within a 50-yard radius of the arena. Other performers including Lord Lloyd-Webber and members of Take That were happy to get out of their cars and walk the short distance to the party. But not Sir Elton. Our man among the crowd of 100 who were watching said: "The princes were due at any time and the police were getting pretty jittery. "Elton pulled up in the back of a people carrier. A policeman stepped into the middle of the road to stop the car and he said to the driver, "Sorry you can't come in here at this point. "You'll have to drive round the back or park up and wait five minutes". The driver then said, "I have an important artist in the back who needs to get to his dressing room". "The policeman said, 'I don't care who's in the car, you cannot drive down this road right now". "At that point, Elton wound down the window and screamed at him. "The policeman calmly said to him, 'Sorry but you are not going in this road. You have to get out and walk from here or take a drive around the block. We're waiting for the princes, who are coming through here any minute'. "Elton started ranting and swearing again. He just lost it and instructed his driver to drive around the policeman. "The driver started to move and at that point, the policeman stood in front of the car gesturing to put his hands on the bonnet. The policeman was saying to the driver, 'Stop there or you'll be arrested'. "Sir Elton wound his window back up as he realised photographers were starting to congregate. "His security guard started reasoning with the policeman, saying they needed to get him in there right away but the policeman would not budge. "Then at that point, Elton jumps out of the back of the car, stomps round to the front and barges through to get into the backstage compound. He stomped down the road shouting at people to 'get out of my way'." Sir Elton, who had opened and closed the concert seen by an international TV audience of 500million, left in a limousine before the party started, although his partner David Furnish was later spotted there chatting to Prince William. A source close to Sir Elton said: "It had been the end of a very long day. He had been meeting and greeting people for hours before he even opened the show at 2pm. "And his was the last performance at 10pm. Sound difficulties meant his finale was delayed and Crocodile Rock had to be cut off the end, which he wasn't happy about." _____________________________________________________ Attend Black Hat USA, July 28-August 2 in Las Vegas, the world's premier technical event for ICT security experts. Featuring 30 hands-on training courses and 90 Briefings presentations with lots of new content and new tools. Network with 4,000 delegates from 70 nations. Visit product displays by 30 top sponsors in a relaxed setting. Rates increase on June 1 so register today. http://www.blackhat.com