More Gigs

[Rosemary]

First there's Billy Joel and now I hear that Elton John is coming to Perth to do a concert in December... now I really have to save up

The last time I saw Elton John in Perth was when he did a special tour with Billy Joel.

Anymore fans of Elton John out there?

[littlemissattitude]

Sure. Saw him at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1975. Great show. With the two opening acts (Joe Walsh, Emmylou Harris), it lasted from noon until about 7 or 8 p.m. Elton did two sets, a couple of hours of just him and his piano and then another two or two and a half hours of him, band, choir, backup singers (including some celebs). Even got Bernie out to take a bow, which I understand was rare at the time.

I think the reason that the show was so elaborate is that it was the last show of the tour and, at the time, he was thinking of not touring again. Well, we know what happened to that idea, but since it made for a wonderful show, who am I to complain? And I had to smile when he was interviewed on television one time and he was asked to name four or five of the favorite shows he's done, and the show I saw was one of the ones he named.

And the most amazing thing? Tickets were $10.00 each, sold only by mail lottery.

[Rosemary]

$10 a ticket? We are looking at between $AU90 - $AU230 a ticket this time round! Still, he always puts on a great show, so I feel the prices are not too bad.
I have the VCR running right now - Elton John In Melbourne is on the TV...A show I want to watch again! I had to fly over to Melbourne on a Friday night, see that show on Saturday night and then fly back to WA on the Sunday morning! I certainly have not regretted the inconvenience of him not coming to Perth that time.

[Rosemary]

Well, it looks as if I won't be here next Monday night... need to take folding chair, blanket and flask of coffee for an all night wait out in the cold for the tickets to go on sale. Add to that one umbrella as rain is forecast.

Still, to get a ticket - who cares? Not me

[chrispenycate]

Originally Posted by Rosemary

First there's Billy Joel and now I hear that Elton John is coming to Perth to do a concert in December... now I really have to save up

The last time I saw Elton John in Perth was when he did a special tour with Billy Joel.

Anymore fans of Elton John out there?

Not really. I met him a first timen - oh, it must have been in'68, when he was playing with Hookfoot, and he was thoroughly detestable; already prima donna and treating both musicians and technicians as dirt beneath his feet. I suspect he was terrified of being dependent on anyone else, but the effect was the same as if he considered himself the only important being, and the rest of the world should be ashamed for not organising itself for maximising his peasure. Then, when I was in the States touring in the mid seventies, he was with the same PA company (Clair Bros.), and it was considered a punishment to be sent on one of his tours; not merely perfectionist (we're used to that) but expecting the impossible if he merely hints… apparently in the studio it was much the same. (I believe he's mellowed considerably since)
So, despite his undeniable talent I wouldn't go to one of his concerts unless someone paid me a considerable sum.

[Rosemary]

Oh dear, I am sorry to hear that Chris I knew he was not easy to work with but not THAT bad

Lucky for you then that I don't have a considerable sum of money to pay for you to come over here for his concert

[carrie221]

I like his song Candle in the Wind

[littlemissattitude]

Originally Posted by chrispenycate

Not really. I met him a first timen - oh, it must have been in'68, when he was playing with Hookfoot, and he was thoroughly detestable; already prima donna and treating both musicians and technicians as dirt beneath his feet. I suspect he was terrified of being dependent on anyone else, but the effect was the same as if he considered himself the only important being, and the rest of the world should be ashamed for not organising itself for maximising his peasure.

Which is why I'm perfectly content to not meet any of the performers whose work I enjoy. I'm pretty sure that I would be disappointed.

Of course, having said that, I have to say that the one quite famous musician that I've met - very briefly - and who apparently has a reputation for being a jerk sometimes, was quite gracious to me during that brief meeting, making me even more of a fan than I had been previously. That was David Crosby.