Welcome to Guy Babylon Fan.Net!
This is a fan site in appreciation of the talents of Guy Babylon, keyboardist and orchestrator for the Elton John band. Guy has been a key member of Elton John's band since 1988. Elton introduces Guy as a keyboard and orchestral genius. I agree! So please take some time to learn about the very talented Guy.
What's New, July 2, 2009
Nigel Celebrates 1,500th Show in Bristol UK!
Nigel played his 1,500th show with Elton in Bristol, UK, just days after Davey played his
2,000th show. Congratulations, Nigel! Elton made the announcement during the band introductions.
The band will play two more shows in Germany and one show in Italy before heading back to the
U.S. for some F2F stadium shows.
Looks like Guy is having fun on the tour!
Elton and Band Tour Hits Denmark and Norway!
This past week, Elton and the band played sold out gigs in Sonderborg, Denmark, and in Haugesund
and Skien, Norway. Check out some photos from the Norway photos page.
Check out these links for some photos and videos from the shows in Norway!
Photo gallery - Norway Gallery
Video - Funeral for a Friend
Video - SNAFF/I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues
Davey and Nigel Reach Milestones!
This week has seen Davey Johnstone play his 2,000th gig with Elton on June 10 in Glasgow, Scotland, while Nigel played his 1,500th gig with Elton on June 13th in Bristol, UK! Congrats, gentlemen! Quite an accomplishment! Guy is closing in on them, having performed his 1,330th show with Elton on June 14 in Norfolk, UK!
Elton & Billy Elliot Win Best Musical at Tony Awards!
Billy Elliot the Musical has won 10 of 15 awards it was nominated for, including Best Musical! Elton
kicked off the award show as part of the show's opening performance, singing a portion of "Electricity" as
the three Billys danced on stage. Elton also joined all of the other performers from the other nominated
plays and musicals participating in the opening
number for "Let the Sun Shine In" from Hair. Other awards for Billy Elliot included best actor in a musical,
which went
to all three Billys - Kiril Kulish,
Trent Kowalik and David Alvarez, as well as best adaptation from a novel, best orchestrations,
choreography and featured actor in a musical, to name a few. Congratulations, Elton!
Elton and Band in Europe!
The F2F tour is taking a hiatus as Elton and the band have embarked on a summer tour in Europe
with the Rocket Man Number One's Tour. The first show was on June 6 in Limerick, Ireland.
Some songs have been added to the set list, including "I Want Love" and "Skyline Pigeon!"
While we wait for photos from some of the European shows this summer, check out some great photos we just received from Thomas from last year's show in Ischgal!
F2F Tour Hits Toronto!
The Elton John Band joined yet again with Billy Joel for another sold out show in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. There were standing ovations for Elton and the band after nearly every song, and
Elton had many of David's relatives in the audience for the show on Saturday, May 30. Here is a great
photo of Guy courtesy of Richard Antoine! Check out the
Toronto photos page as new photos have been added.
Following the successful Toronto show on Saturday, the F2F show hit Ottawa, Ontario on Monday
night, again playing to a sold out audience that centered it's love on Elton and the band. Check out
The Ottawa Citizen for a nice review of the show. Next up is Wednesday in Montreal, then off
to Europe, beginning in Ireland on Saturday, June 6.
F2F Tour Continues in Madison, WI!
The F2F tour hit Madison, WI, on Thursday, May 7, playing to a sold-out Kohl Center where the crowd lapped up the three hour show, begging for more. The set list remains the same, with familiar tunes that the crowds sing along with, with standing ovations after nearly every single song.
Elton presented Billy with a gold watch for his upcoming birthday on Saturday, May 9, and Billy joked about how old he is, in fact he told the crowd he was Billy's dad, filling in for him, since Billy was home washing his hair. Billy jested with the crowd throughout his set, while Elton went to the people, shaking hands and signing some autographs at the stage for thrilled fans.
Guy waves to the crowd as he and his keyboard rig is lowered below the stage near the end of the show. The two sets of keyboards, drums and percussion rigs where lifted up to the stage when needed and lowered when not in use during the show. Modern technology! Check out this video from the opening of Funeral for a Friend!
For more photos, check out the Madison, WI photos page.
New F2F Tourbook Available!
The new tourbook for the 2009 Face 2 Face tour is finally available at concert venues! The program is chock full of photos of Elton, Billy, and their bands. Be sure to check it out at your next show. Some photos of Guy from the current tourbook are now available on the Tourbooks page, which is always available on the Bio page.
Elton John Band Performs at School Benefit!
Guy, Davey, Bob, John and Nigel participated in a benefit for the Lupin Hill School in
the Los Angeles area with a concert at the jam-packed Canyon Club on Sunday, April 26.
The boys were joined on stage by musical friends Ken Stacey, Adam Chester, Billy Trudell,
Rick Astley, Bruce Watson, Windy Wagner, Kathy Babylon, and many others as well as
the Lupin Hill School's Tiger Chorale and Fabulous Fiddlers, and a band
called The Rolling Tones, comprised of students
including Charlie Johnstone (10), Juliet Johnstone (14) and Ben Babylon (11), who are all following
in their parent's musical footsteps. All proceeds from the show and auctions
benefit the school's music and arts programs. This year's theme was "It's Only
Rock'n Roll!" and featured the Rolling Tones playing several Rolling Stones songs, including
Satisfaction and Jumping Jack Flash.
Ben Babylon impressed the crowd on keys for Baba O'Riley while dad Guy looks on:
Ben Babylon on the melodica (left) while Davey jams with Rolling Tones including Charlie Johnstone & Ben Babylon:
For more photos and set list, check out the Lupin Hill 2009 Photos page.
F2F in Anaheim Guy's 1,300th Show with Elton!
Face 2 Face continued Monday night, March 30, in Anaheim, ending the March segment of the
tour, which coincidentally was Guy's 1,300th show
with Elton! WOW! Congrats, Guy!
Check out this review from the
LA Times from the Saturday show in Anaheim!
Guy's 20th Anniversary with Elton!
The summer of 2008 marked Guy's 20th anniversary as a keyboardist in the Elton John Band! His first concert appearance with Elton was a fundraiser in LA in July, 1988, and shortly after he embarked on his first Elton album recording, Sleeping with the Past, and first world tour. Since then, he has performed in concert with Elton 1,234 times!
See a video clip of Guy's introduction
at his first concert as a member of the Elton John Band in July 1988. Seems like just the other day!
A photo array from the early years:
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See the Touring page for the
latest schedule.
Check out the new Tour Books page for some photos of Guy on tour with Elton through the years, including the most recent tourbooks for the Rocketman 2007-2008 tour and the new F2F tour with Billy Joel! The link resides on the Bio page.
Check out the Archives Page for a new crossword puzzle, as well as some historical posts and photos, articles, video clips and the Q&A with Guy from the 2006 Elton Expo in Las Vegas!
Please let me know if you have any suggestions for this site or any materials to add! And keep checking back!
Guy Babylon Concert Tracker as of July 1, 2009: 1,336 shows!