Elton John Stands The Test Of Time.
Is this really The Rocket Man’s last dance…?
Few people have achieved the musical feats of Reginald Kenneth Dwight. At 72 years of age, the man more famously (and now legally) known as Sir Elton John has literally done it all. And he ain’t done yet!
May 1st comes the ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ World Tour, which looks like Elton’s last goodbye to his millions of fans. Astonishingly, the tour spans 2 years, winding up at London’s O2 Arena in December 2020.
It’s always remarkable that everyone (even Sir Elton) has to start somewhere, from such humble beginnings. From quickly picking up the piano (having sat at his grandmother’s from age 5) to memorising pieces by George Frideric Handel in one go, it was clear this young man had a gift. It’s amazing to think of a young Elton tracing his fingers over keys, well before anyone knew who on earth he was and what he would become.
Before long, the kid simply calling himself ‘Reggie’ was wowing people in local bars and by age 20 had caught the ears of Ray Williams, an A&R manager at Liberty Records (USA). Here’s where things really took off and an almighty career was airborne.
No less than 67 Billboard Top 100 Hits, and 47 albums on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart, Elton shares the number 2 slot of world’s top solo male performers with Paul McCartney — topped only by Michael Jackson. From performing at Princess Diana’s funeral to writing tracks for the timeless film ‘Lion King’ to collaborating with the likes of John Lennon, and having the world’s most famous feud with Madonna, Sir Elton’s time in the limelight is something aspiring musicians would struggle to even fathom. Let’s not forget he’s been Knighted by the Queen of England and an inductee in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
This really shouldn’t take too much thought…a pop icon on stage for the final time. Irrespective if you’re a diehard fan or not, the opportunity to belt out “Hold me closer tiny dancer, count the headlights on the highway!” with thousands of others is always going to be a good time. I mean, imagine the ovation Elton will receive when he takes and leaves the stage, I’d want to be part of that!
These shows carry weight. They will be the ones you’ll be recalling 10 to 20 years from now. I once saw the legendary Fleetwood Mac play on a winery and I feel these shows will be on a similar par (are you jealous?). What are you waiting for..?
