It is now official... Elton John Band to Honor Late Colleague Guy Babylon

An upcoming Elton John tribute show produced by Rock Nation School in Los Angeles will be as much a tribute to late band member Guy Babylon as to the Rocket Man, himself. Three members of John’s band—lead guitarist and music director Davey Johnstone, drummer Nigel Olsson and percussionist John Mahon—will perform “Goodbye Superman,” a song written in Babylon’s memory by his 12-year-old son, Ben Babylon. Johnstone and Mahon will also play Elton John songs with Ben and other student musicians. The concert will take place September 26 at the famed Canyon Club near Los Angeles.

Ben Babylon will play keyboard and sing lead vocals on “Goodbye Superman,” which he composed after his father passed away suddenly on September 2, 2009. Ben, who plays keyboards, piano, guitar, ukulele and drums, has taken private lessons at Rock Nation since 2008, and has written several original songs. Elton John and his musicians have remained close friends of the Babylon family, so when Ben’s mother, Kathy Babylon, learned that Rock Nation was planning an Elton John tribute show, she came up with the idea to invite members of his band to appear. "It's been a year now and it just seemed to be perfect timing to bring everyone together in honor of Guy's memory, through Ben's song," she said. "My husband was a big supporter of Rock Nation. All the guys in the band have helped with fundraisers over the years, and the last one was actually at The Canyon Club. So this is truly a full-circle moment for me."

“I’m really excited that Davey, Nigel and John will be playing my song,” Ben said. “I wrote it as a tribute to my dad. They were his friends and fellow band members, so for me to get to play it with them on stage means a lot.” That sentiment is shared by John Mahon, who has been a member of the Elton John Band since 1997. "I'm looking forward to playing some music with Ben Babylon again, and performing something by Elton John will be right up his alley,” Mahon said. “He is an amazing young talent with many exciting musical endeavors in his future. I better start practicing!"

Ben Babylon isn't the only child of an Elton John associate who will appear in the upcoming show. Fifteen-year-old drummer Juliet Johnstone, a student at Rock Nation, will perform, as will her older brother, Jesse, a professional recording engineer, who will lend his talents on bass. Their father, Davey Johnstone said: "I met Guy at a recording session in 1987 and immediately knew I was in the presence of someone really special. We had an almost psychic connection and we loved stretching our talent to create music that was always challenging and refreshing." In 1990, Johnstone and Babylon formed their own musical group, Warpipes, with Nigel Olsson, Bob Birch,and Billy Trudell, and released one album, “Holes in the Heavens.” Singles off the album are now being released on iTunes, in association with Babylon Music.

Unfortunately, Elton John will not participate in the upcoming Rock Nation concert, because he will be on tour in Europe with drummer Ray Cooper. However, he remains close to the Babylons, and has shown support for Ben's music in other ways. Recently, he invited Ben to hang out in the recording studio, while he worked on his forthcoming album "The Union" with rock legend Leon Russell. That album is scheduled to be released in October.

Rock Nation, a private rock-music school with four locations in the Los Angeles area, is owned by Tony Avalon, son of singer and actor Frankie Avalon. The school produces several tribute shows annually, each highlighting the music of a different rock star. "Rock Nation and the Rock Nation community are very excited and honored to have the members of the Elton John band performing at a Rock Nation show,” Avalon said. “What this means to me is that Rock Nation’s status has earned the respect from professional world-class musicians who embrace the quality of a real music education to all ages. The musicianship level of this show will be outstanding. These students will sound unbelievable and true to the songs of Elton John.”

The Rock Nation Tribute to Elton John will take place on Sunday, September 26, at 7:00 p.m. at The Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills, California 91301. Tickets are $12 at Rock Nation or $15 at the door. Reservations can be made by calling Rock Nation at 818-706-2326, The Canyon Club at 818-879-5016 or by visiting www.RockNationSchool.com.

Information about the music of Guy Babylon is available at www.BabylonMusic.biz.

Podcast #044 Freeman Michaels Interviews Ben Babylon

Podcast #044 Freeman Michaels Interviews Ben Babylon

Freeman Michaels interviewed Ben Babylon

So emotional! Freeman Michaels interviewed today Ben and Kathy Babylon on his show at 1400 KKZZ AM radio. Also it was Chasen, his music teacher. "Amazing young man" told Freeman when he was requested about how the interview went. "A lot of people are talented, but not everyone has permission to be extraordinary, like this young man" continued. And he has reason. Ben's an extraordinary guy. We could felt that when the first open chords of "Goodbye Superman" were on the airplay. "That's your song?" requested Freeman when Ben laughed "Yeah!". "When my dad passed away I've got so much things to say, and I thought that music could help me in that through" argumented Ben. The tribute to the late Guy Babylon, was described by Freeman like a "very touching song, a beatiful song in his own right".

The interview developed since Ben was very interested in music as an early age: "at 6 years old" what caused surprise to Freeman: "(It's) remarkable being able to write songs, lyrics, find the way to express your feelings to your dad in a language that you’re comfortable with. (To) write that song at 12 that’s impresive!" Ben talked about playing live with Kathryn Keats and being at school, in a rock school indeed: "(the school) help me so much with learning new things, and helping me writing my songs, it’s really great" he said.

Kathy Babylon jumped on the micro to remind the single produced by Guy Babylon for Nigel Olsson, explaining how Ben "always writes stories" and how he started playing piano at Elementary School. With emotion, she explained how she met Guy "when he played his keyboard, it was amazing". "You're an extension of your dad" asked Freeman to Ben: "yeah, he inspired me so much, seeing him on stage, on the studio, writing his songs, somehow (I've) got his gift. "He spent so many hours teaching, this is the way to play, and he teaches (Ben) exactly" continued Kathy.

"Ben is a gifted singer" added Chasen, his school teacher. Ben said that it was "pretty cool" to work with producer Greg Penny, that he is penning a new album, he has new songs created, specially he remarked "World Away", a song that "speaks about when a son loses his dad", a song which Kathy collaborates. Finally, Guy Babylon was honoured for Kathy as "such a fantastic man, he left so much love".

Freeman Michaels is the founder of the Service to Self™ Process, a life coaching program he designed and developed. Besides being a radio talk show host, he is a speaker, workshop trainer and author. He holds a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology from The University of Santa Monica. Most importantly, Freeman holds a degree in life. His life degree has been earned by great success and fantastic failure. Everything, according to Freeman, has been a learning opportunity.

The Premiere Of New Songs at Ventura County Fair in California

Ben will introduce several new songs when he performs at the Ventura County Fair near Los Angeles, California, on August 6.

Ben composed his first song, Goodbye Superman, as a tribute to his father, who died unexpectedly last September. The song has received much attention on the Internet, including on Elton John fan sites. Ben has performed Goodbye Superman at several clubs in the Los Angeles area. Last month, he received a standing ovation in Oakland, California, where he appeared as a special guest of The Kathryn Keats Show at the famed Yoshi's jazz club.

“I am looking forward to playing at the fair, because I think a lot of my friends will be there,” Ben said. “I like getting feedback from them, especially the musicians.”

At the Ventura County Fair, Ben plans to perform Goodbye Superman and three new songs, two of which were inspired by memories of his father. Goodbyes on the Road was taken from something Guy used to tell Ben about how when bands are touring, there never seems to be enough time for everyone to say goodbye, before they go their separate ways. World Away is a song that Ben co-wrote with his mother, Kathy Babylon, imagining how Guy may be another world away, but love goes on. The third new song, Write Your Own Song, is more upbeat.

“It’s about how everybody has their own life story, and they can write it however they want,” Ben said. “It is more of a honky-tonk, pop song. It has a happy feel to it.”

Ben will perform at the Ventura County Fair as part of a concert by Rock Nation School, where he studies music. Also appearing in the Rock Nation show will be student Aubrey Linder, the musical group Shadows of Aries, and Chasen Hampton, music director at Rock Nation. Ben will perform one song with Chasen, who has recorded five CDs and appeared with such stars as Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, Keri Russell and Britney Spears, when she was on the Mickey Mouse Club.

For Kathy Babylon, Ben’s performance at the Ventura County Fair will be especially meaningful, and is already bringing back memories.

“The last time I was at the fair was when Guy played there with a local band, before he started working with Elton,” she said. “For Ben to perform there, it’s like he is stepping into his dad’s shoes. I see Guy’s and Elton’s influence on Ben, with every song he writes and the way he plays keyboards. He amazes me all the time.”

Kathy and Ben will be interviewed on The Freeman Michaels Show on radio station 1400 KKZZ in Ventura, California on August 5 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time. You can listen online at www.1400kkzz.com by clicking "Listen Live."

The Ventura County Fair will take place August 4-15 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura, California 93001. “Rock Nation School Presents All Original Artists” is scheduled for August 6 at 4:30 p.m. For information about the fair, visit www.VenturaCountyFair.org or call 805-648-3376.

Thank you Fred Anderson
Photo by J.E. Smith/Lost Road Entertainment

Ben At The Yoshi's: The Kathryn Keats Show

Ben Babylon performed, credited as a special guest star, as part of The Kathryn Keats Show at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, California on July 8. The show included some of the Bay Area’s most renowned musicians: master percussionist Joe Venegoni, Grammy-nominated bassist Michael Manring, guitar virtuoso Tom Lattanand, pianist Kelly Park, award-winning trumpeter Jeff Oster, and Brazilian-born drummer Celso Alberti.

Kathryn Keats was so pleased to introduce keyboardist, songwriter and singer Ben Babylon to her fans in the Bay Area. The young musician has been working under the tutelage of Elton John, who remains a close family friend.

During the show, Ben performed "Goodbye Superman," the stirring tribute to his late father, the legendary Guy Babylon, along with some of Kathryn's musicians. He did also play keyboards during at least one of Kathryn's songs in the show: “Ben Babylon is an amazing talent and we are thrilled that he will be performing with The Kathryn Keats Show” she says with satisfaction. “Ben is multi-talented. He is a fantastic songwriter and musician. Elton John's influence on him is clear."

She learned about Ben Babylon after seeing his song "Goodbye Superman" on the Internet, and decided to invite him: "My sons and I were watching Ben Babylon's video of 'Goodbye Superman' and it directly affected me. I lost my father, so I understood the power and the meaning of the song. It blew me away, to see how a 12-year-old could write such a song to honor his father in that way. It was impressive” she added.

Kathryn Keats is a soulful singer and prolific songwriter who specializes in pop, jazz and blues. She began working behind the scenes, packaging feature films, creating and producing shows for television and film and directing several bands and artists. Her work included projects for Herb Ritts, Wayne Masur, and Mary Ellen Mark. She quit singing in the early 1980's, and went into hiding, after her partner held her captive and tortured her for 54 days. She began performing again in 2005, after learning that her former abuser had died, and could no longer harm her. In addition to singing, she also speaks to nonprofit organizations and audiences about domestic violence.

Yoshi's is one of the most famous jazz clubs in the United States where many famous artists have performed including Betty Carter, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis, McCoy Tyner, Harry Connick Jr. and Oscar Peterson. There are two locations: one in San Francisco, California, and one in Oakland, California. Ben will perform at Yoshi's Oakland.

Here is more information about the history of Yoshi's: http://www.yoshis.com/oakland/about

Sources from:
maine.broadwayworld.com