A night with Sir Elton John

A night with Sir Elton John... from the nosebleed seats

http://www.thedmcfoghorn.com/entertainment/a-night-with-sir-elton-john-from-the-nosebleed-seats-1.1339447

Elton John’s concert excites crowds, up-close and from far, far away.

By Natalia Contreras

managingeditor@...

Published: Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Updated: Tuesday, April 13, 2010

As soon as Sir Elton John walked on the stage, his black penguin tuxedo caught my attention – the suit jacket read “Stardust Kiss” in pink letters – and I was only able to make this discovery thanks to the amazing zoom feature on my digital camera. John opened the show with “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” and seemed completely ready to begin his rock concerto.

That night, Elton was all about business, focusing on the 9000 people who went out to see him April 6 at the American Bank Center; and of course he was focused on the music.
As soon as he touched the piano keys and I recognized “Tiny Dancer,” I could not help but be tremendously jealous of the people “down there” sitting in front-row seats.
I kept on thinking, “They are definitely not excited enough!” However, the nosebleed seats I had, far from the stage, did not stop me from connecting with John and his piano.
I could tell John was full of excitement that night. Every time he decided to run back and forth to the front of the stage and talk to the crowd or when he decided to jump on top and around his piano, everyone went crazy.

The hits started right away with “Rocket Man” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”
As soon as he played the opening chords to “Bennie and The Jets” (my favorite song by John), a big crowd ran up to the stage and all I wanted to do was jump from the second-floor seat I had to join the lucky crowd.
I even thought, “Perhaps I could get really lucky and land on the stage.” The energy level was totally raised to the top with the songs “Crocodile Rock” and “I’m Still Standing,” which reminded the crowd to get on their feet and start dancing.
The night was glamorous and magical in a way and I’m sure met everyone’s high expectations. However, it all made perfect sense since no one could expect anything less from Elton John.

In his 40-plus-year career, Elton John has sold more than 250 million records. He has placed a single on the top 40 every year from 1970 to 1996.
Two of his albums debuted at the top of the album chart, 1975’s “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” and “Rock of the Westies.”
Elton left the stage that night, only to come back with an encore, playing “Your Song” and “The Circle of Life” to close the show.
I can speak for myself and the other 8999 attendees — we all hit the Jackpot on April 6.

'Billy Elliot' opens in Chicago

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/entertainment&id=7380683&rss=rss-wls-article-7380683

April 11, 2010 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- A Broadway musical made its Chicago premier Sunday night with some real star power on the red carpet.

Sir Elton John, who wrote the music for Billy Elliot the Musical, attended the opening.
The show began its Chicago run Sunday at the Oriental Theatre, where it will play through late October.
The critically acclaimed musical took home 10 Tony awards last year, including best musical.
After Sunday night's performance, Elton John joined the cast on stage for a curtain call, as well.

Wharton Center: LSO performs Elton John's classics

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100412/THINGS0104/4130302/1161/char


Anne Erickson • Lansing State Journal • April 12, 2010
At this point, Elton John is a musical legend in his own right.
The singer-songwriter, pianist and composer was named the most successful male solo artist of all time by Billboard in 2008. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and was knighted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth in 1998.
In honor of Elton John's poptastic fare, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra's Pop Series presents "Rocket Man: The Music of Elton John," on Friday, April 16, at Wharton Center's Cobb Great Hall. The show closes out the Pop Series season.
This is not your everyday Lansing Symphony Orchestra performance. The concert will feature a live band of guitar, bass, vocals, piano and drums. The group, London, Ontario-based Jeans 'n' Classics, is known for bringing a new generation of classic rock fans to the symphony. Under the direction of Jeff Christmas, the band will play alongside the LSO, mixing rock and orchestral elements for a unique program.
When it comes to Elton John's catalog of songs, the list of plentiful. Friday's performance will no doubt feature classics "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues," "Rocket Man," "Tiny Dancer," "Saturday Night's All Right" and "Your Song."
Most important, the night will celebrate the work of a veteran rocker with a rare gift for crafting masterful arrangements and commercially savvy pop songs.

See it

» What: The Lansing Symphony Orchestra's Pop Series presents "Rocket Man: The Music of Elton John."

» When: 8 p.m. Friday.

» Where: Wharton Center Cobb Great Hall, MSU campus.

» Tickets: From $12 to $35. Purchase at www.LansingSymphony.org or call 487-5001.