A night of nostalgia

He walked onstage at exactly 8 p.m., flung his coattails behind him and sat down at the shiny, grand piano. For two and a half hours, Elton John played exactly what we wanted to hear. He totally loves and respects his fans. And we adore him right back. To describe him – soulful, legendary, an icon, even a little bit human when this 75-year-old man let his tongue loll, just a little bit as the show was in full gear. I knew every single word and the reason I’m not bragging is so did everyone else. “The bitch was back!”

 

The venue was incredible – my husband turned to me part way through the show, gesturing at the sea of people and said: “Can you believe this is happening on our island?”

 

The band – none of these guys were strangers and they had talent for miles. They have been around for a long time – they clearly worship their person and his music and he clearly loves them just as much.

 

Sometimes I think the gigantic video screens at concerts are a bit corny and a cop out, but not this time. We needed to see him up close and personal. We were allowed to share his thoughts and visions as they meshed with the music. They were all there —  “Rocket Man,”

“Tiny Dancer,” “Daniel,” “Marilyn,” “Bennie And The Jets,” “Levon.” We experienced “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Candle in the Wind,” went crazy to “Crocodile Rock,” went to a “Funeral for a Friend” and while love lay bleeding in our hands we were reminded that “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.” 

 

While pounding away at the ivories and belting out his words, he told us “I’m Still Standing.” Well, maybe he wasn’t standing as much as he did the other four times we went to see him, but that didn’t make a bit of difference. He hasn’t lost a thing. If anyone thinks there was ever a collaboration more important or just plain amazing than Elton John and Bernie Taupin, I don’t think they could ever convince me.

 

When he reminisced about all of his shows in South Carolina while also reminding us that this would be his last one – that human again, he wants to spend time enjoying his family. He may be saying “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” but our sun will never go down on him.

 

The fans – many appropriately and adoringly adorned with feather boas, glittering sunglasses and white platform boots, refused to let him leave the stage. They were stamping their feet so hard the place was literally roaring. I briefly thought that our seats on the third tier may end up on the ground, but, what a way to go. He changed his costume three times, the third being his robe. He came out, sat on his piano bench and sang us goodnight.

 

Just as I always knew that Mick Jagger would begin his concerts with “Start Me Up,” I knew that Elton John would end with “Your Song.” 

 

Dear, dear Elton, 

“I hope you don’t mind

 I hope you don’t mind

That I put down in words

How wonderful life is

While you’re in the world.”