Almost two years later, the time had come. Monday night, it was finally time for Tampa to say farewell to the legend himself, Sir Elton John. It was almost a year ago when he was forced to postpone the original sold-out extravaganza at Amalie Arena, due to an ear infection. That was announced at his Orlando show the night before, when people were actually seated and waiting for 25 minutes.
The Rocket Man said he’d be back, and would make sure that Tampa got an incredibly special show. And boy, did we.
This was Reggie’s third time in Florida on this tour, but he nonetheless made the night more bedazzling than anyone in the hip-to-hip sold out crowd could imagine. Though Elton being Elton, it was really no surprise. The show began at 8:05, five minutes after what was promised on the ticket, and his presence was confirmed as he struck the opening chord to Bennie And The Jets five times, while the stage lights flickered along to it.
“We hope you enjoy what you see.” Captain Fantastic announced, before plinking his way into a sentimental I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues. That wasn’t even the most sentimental part of the nearly 3-hour glittery extravaganza. In spite of that, this did not feel like a farewell tour: This was more like a 50th anniversary tour, that would turn out to be one last hurrah.
He introduced Border Song, off of his self-titled album from 1970 with a lucky anecdote about when him and partner-in-crime Bernie Taupin learned that someone had covered the song, only months following its release. “In those days, we were struggling songwriters and anyone recording our songs would be an incredible thrill…and it was Aretha Franklin! Wow!” he reminisced. If not for the Queen Of Soul, this show may not have happened. In fact, Aretha’s last ever live performance before her passing last year was actually at an Elton John AIDS Foundation gala in 2017.
An indistinguishable-from-the-original Tiny Dancer brought tears to all eyes, and Philadelphia Freedom got everyone down on the floor on their feet, with their flashing glasses from the merchandise table blinking blue and red. An album track off of Madman Across The Water, Indian Sunset, was dusted off as well. For that one, only Elton and longtime percussionist Ray Cooper were onstage, and the rest of his band, featuring musicians going as far back as his original band, took their longest break of the show. He’s had many of these people with him since before he was world-renowned, including drummer Nigel Olsson, who drummed with Elton’s original band. Lead guitarist, and musical director Davey Johnstone, who has been with Elton since Honky Chateau is there too, and is always prepared for Elton to abruptly arrive from England for rehearsals. “I just swan in, and…they’re ready!” he praised.
Yes, he kept Rocket Man in the rotation, and like what was to come, he improv’d on the keys like crazy near the end, for the same amount of time the main song ran for. Levon was a 12-minute musical showcase of improv and solo moments from all band members, and Elton smashing those keys, with and without accompaniment. Candle In The Wind cleared the stage so Elton could pay tribute to Marilyn Monroe for probably the millionth time in his career. His piano, which was on a cloud-like platform the whole night, then did something I hadn’t seen it do before, anywhere: It started rolling across the stage. It eventually turned back around, so the people on the stage-right side of the venue could actually get a quick view of his face, rather than the back of his head, of which they got all night while he played. Stage left saw the back of his head for a few minutes…just to get the front of it again in a matter of minutes.
A life-sized thunderstorm broke out Funeral For A Friend, as Elton left the stage to change out of one of his custom made Gucci outfits, into one of his trademark flowery tuxes, to belt out Love Lies Bleeding. Even his die-hard favorable LP, Tumbleweed Connection, wasn’t neglected. Burn Down The Mission was his selection to dust off that era of his life.
A recent rarity was presented, too. As heard in the new biopic, Rocketman, I Want Love, only played once before on this tour, was presented as “a song about love,” reminding us how divided not only the US currently is, but the world in general. Another elephant in the room was the Elton John AIDS Foundation, founded in 1992, from his dining room table. “It’s 2019, and people still have it. That’s ridiculous.” Elton lamented.
His main set ended with some more of his bigger hits. If you didn’t feel all gooey inside during Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, or didn’t la-la-la-la-la along during Crocodile Rock, you might have to do some soul searching. Thankfully, most everyone banged their heads to The Bitch Is Back and Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) until the stage went dark, and was cleared of all musicians.
Elton came back out a few minutes later in what must have been a sweltering hot, blue kimono so he could do his generous encore of Your Song. The last song he’d ever play in Tampa was, appropriately, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Oh, there were tears on all sides of the dome as Elton gestured his goodbyes, while flying away on a lift to behind the breathtaking stage.
But the real question is this: Was this really the Rocket Man’s final show ever in Tampa? Maybe in the sense of being on tour, it was. If he still plans on performing for charity events and such, they’re most likely going to take place in more close-to-home areas, such as England or California.
Then again, we still have another year or two until Elton plays his final show, and retiring beyond the Yellow Brick Road. While the chances are slim, who knows? Maybe we will get one more view of Captain Fantastic. But even if this was indeed his final stop here, he most certainly did not leave us with a whimper.
Josh Bradley Live 