At 69, Elton John rocked Tel Aviv in a 2 and a half hour performance that kept his fan of all ages greatly satisfied.

By AMY SPIRO

Fans of all ages were happy to let the sun go down in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park on Thursday night, as veteran rocker Elton John took the stage to perform for close to 40,000 fans.

British singer Elton John performs during a concert in Tel Aviv June 17, 2010. – Photo: REUTERS

The rocket man did not disappoint, churning out his biggest hits alongside his new music without his powerful baritone faltering for even a moment.

John opened the show – punctually I might add – with “Love Lies Bleeding,” before veering into “Benny and the Jets” and then “Candle in the Wind,” three songs from the 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Bring Road. And more than 40 years later, almost everyone crowded into the park knew every word.

Decked out in a knee-length royal blue suit jacket generously sprinkled with rhinestones and with a pink bedazzled “EJ” on the back – and metallic pink shoes – John is as flamboyant as ever. But marriage and fatherhood seem to have mellowed the once infamous drama queen; there was no sign of the singer who arrived in Israel in 1993 and – after getting pissed at the paparazzi – turned right around and left the country before performing (he returned in 2010 with no such histrionics).

“We are very happy to be back in Israel,” John said near the top of the show. “We hope you enjoy the show we’ve prepared for you tonight.” Though reports circulated of his rockstar-like demands ahead of the show, on stage John was nothing but gracious.

“Thank you so much Tel Aviv – we couldn’t have asked for a better audience or a nicer place to play,” he said. Reflecting on his impressive 47 years in the business, he said the one constant “is you guys, the audience.” “I love you and I’m deeply grateful for everything you do.”

I should confess that I grew up on Elton John. While I may not have been alive during his heyday, my mother is what could be termed a superfan; while other kids may have been listening to Baby Einstein or Kidz Bop, we reliably had “Crocodile Rock” and “The Bitch is Back” churning out of the car radio speakers (both of which he played Thursday).

Indeed fans of all ages were crowded into the show, from those older than the 69-year-old rocker to the 8-year-old girl who dozens around me stopped to help when she got separated from her parents.

He was accompanied on stage by his loyal and veteran band, including Nigel Olsson on drums, who’s 67, and Davy Johnstone, on guitar, who’s 65. But on stage they were just a crazy group of kids playing their hearts out, with incredible talent.

While John played three songs from his newest album, Wonderful Crazy Night – “Looking Up,” “Blue Wonderful” and “A Good Heart” – he knew what the people were there for – and he delivered.

From “Tiny Dancer” to “Daniel,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” “Rocket Man,” and “I’m Still Standing,” among many more, he performed unflaggingly for two-and-a-half hours, with many extended piano riffs sprinkled throughout.

He capped off the evening with “The Circle of Life” – complete with Lion King footage playing on the screen – and left the whole audience hoping he’d be back again in Israel soon.

View original The Jerusalem Post publication at:
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Rocket-Man-rocks-Tel-Aviv-455183

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