Article and Photographic images created by Conall O'Brien. Click photos for large view.
Sir Elton John - dressed in a flamingo-sequined tailcoat, opens with "The Bitch is Back".
Elton John came to Portland and Bangor Maine for two dates as part of a 6-city concert tour that coincides with the anniversary of a songwriting collaboration with Bernie Taupin that started 50 years ago. The enthusiastic fans who managed to score tickets heard a extraordinary show that ran over two nonstop hours and featured 22 iconic hits and classic album tracks from throughout his incredible five-decade career.
Current Band Members
Davey Johnstone - electric guitars (musical director and member since 1972) Nigel Olsson - drums (drummer with Elton’s original three-piece band) Ray Cooper - percussion John Mahon - percussion Kim Bullard - keyboards Matt Bissonette - bass guitar Elton on piano, vocals
Elton John returned to perform at Johnson City's Freedom Hall on September 16th after a 12 year hiatus. Freedom Hall has had its share of big acts (Aerosmith, The Eagles, Elvis Presley) but Elton John was the biggest act to perform there in quite some time. Needless to say the show sold out in a matter of hours. The crowd was certainly appreciative of having a performer of that magnitude come to their small town and they showed it!
The highly acclaimed, world renowned performer did not disappoint. Leon Russell, who opened the show, came back onstage to perform with Sir Elton John hits from their collaborative album, The Union. The quickly sold out show kept on going and Elton John, along with his band, just kept pouring soul into hit after hit keeping the audience fully entertained. Toward the end of the night, Elton showed no signs of slowing down and even though he could have ended the show an hour earlier, at times bowing and another slamming the cover to his Yamaha piano shut, he just raised the lid and took back to the piano bench to blaze more all-star tunes to a well-received crowd. Getting on top of his piano (literally) and walking about the full length of the stage on all side to greet the many fans in awe of his spectacular performance, Elton John did not leave hanging the many who brought albums and memorabilia for him to sign—which he did. The stage security earned their money and it was funny to see ladies (in their 60's) being pushed back like in classic footage of infatuated girls in the presence of the Beatles during their heyday, and I would bet some of these ladies were one in the same!
Elton John's successes have rightfully earned him the designation as one of the greatest performers of our era with 25 platinum albums, 29 consecutive Top 40 hits, and over 250 million records sold worldwide. With 50+ years of performing under his belt, Elton borrowed from his huge repertoire of music surpassing many's high expectations for an night of music that had no regard for age—both his and the audience's.
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