This will probably be the strangest concert update, but I had a fanatastic time anyway. I need to describe the Roxy first so everyone can get a feel for last night's concert.
Picture an old time single movie theatre with the large marquee out front and a balcony inside. A small street / alley runs behind the building and the whole building width is no longer than a semi tractor trailer (which was parked behind it for the equipment). I'm talking a very small venue.
The stage ran from one side to the other with fire exit doors on each side of the stage. Elton arrived about 7:20 in a black Jeep escorted by 2 motorcycle cops to the back north fire exit. (Alley entrance) Security was tight and we (6 or so fans) were about 5 car lengths away. He entered quickly without acknowledging anyone.
I proceeded to attempt to purchase a single ticket from anyone one willing to sell one, but never had luck. I walked back to the alley and the show started about 8:15. I literally sat on the other fire exit door to the left of the stage for the whole show.
Every now and then security came to check on folks near the truck rig but left us alone. At any given time there were maybe about 25 fans gathered out the back of the building. The sound was awesome and to top it off, this fire exit door looked directly at eye level to the left hand side of the stage where Elton John sat playing the piano. You could fit something the size of a pen through the door weather stripping so we had a view (though only of him) of the entire show. The place is so small that he sat literally 10-12 feet away from this door.
He played four songs from The Big Picture and he also played, as I reported yesterday, the Beth Neilsen Chapman song, Sand and Water. The song was very pretty and I believe acoustic guitars were used. Very nice lyrics, though my vantage point was not the best, so I can't post them.
The show ended about 10:45 with EJ playing about 2 1/2 hrs worth. He sounded great, he really enjoyed himself and got into the show and improvised here and there in the usual songs.
During the show I met a Roxy employee (roadie) who helped with the stage set up. He could not even get in to the show. The place was literally busting at the seams.
At about 11:30 Davey Johnstone exited from the back door, he stopped for a few seconds acknowledged our applause, stood around for awhile and left. Another band member carrying 2 bottles of champagne (sorry his name alludes me) then came to a 2nd limo , he was about 10 feet away, so I asked as to EJ's whereabouts. He said he'd be out soon, he was still eating dinner.
At this point it was 11:45 and the crowd was now down to about 15-20 people out back. My new roadie buddy came out while loading equipment and said here I got you something, and hands me Davey's guitar pick. (Guess he left it on stage or this guy got it off a guitar, who knows.) But it's purple and on one side has EJ, on the other DJ. How cool!
I crossed the alley and stood 6 feet or so away from the Jeep on the passenger side that EJ would have to enter into. Security people where very laid back and more focused on the 20 or so people all facing them. The exit door opened and there stood EJ, (he wore a royal blue/purple looking suit) He slowly walked to the jeep, stopped waved to the crowd, took a few bows, blew kisses, all right to the side of me. It took all my will power not to want to just go reach over and grab his hand. He was that close to me!!! It was awesome.
As I was about to leave , the roadie came over, he saw me writing song names down all night, and said "I got the song list, give me a fax number and I'll get it to you in the A.M.." I'm still awaiting the official list but for those of you who are dying for my e-mail to end and the song list here it is, in order from the Roxy show:
1. Simple Life 14.*Love's got a LTAF
2. The One 15.*Long way from happiness
3. Grey Seal 16. Made in england
4. Goodbye YBR 17. Believe
5. Honky Cat 18. Someone saved MLT
6. Take me to the Pilot 19. Phil.freedom
7. Can you feel TLT 20. Levon
8. Tiny Dancer 21. Bennie & the jets
9. I guess that's why TCITB 22. Saturday night's ARFF
10.*If the river can bend 23. Your song
11. Don't let the sun GDOM 24. I don't wanna go on WYLT
12.*Something about TWYLT 25. Sand and water
13. The last song 26. We all fall in love sometime
27. Curtains
This was the nest best thing to being inside, and those inside told me it was as hot as hell and so many poeple squished near the stage that we probably were better off. I'm not complaining... heck my seat was free!!!
Enjoy the tour everyone!!! Go Braves!!
Lisa
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