Grandma’s 75th birthday one to remember

GRANDMOTHER Danielle Dodin thought she was dreaming on Saturday night.

The Smithfield resident – a lifelong fan of Sir Elton John – was celebrating her 75th birthday at Cazalys Stadium.

“I never, ever thought he would come to Cairns,” she said. “I never thought it would happen. I wouldn’t dream about – it was a dream.” It was also her first concert. Ms Dodin – who has called the Far North home for the past 15 years – fell in love with the British pop star’s music when she was living in Sydney thanks to hits including Crocodile Rock, Daniel and Candle in the Wind. Her family surprised her with the tickets as a birthday gift.

She said she could not believe she was seeing him in the flesh for her first ever concert.

“I always sent the kids to all the concerts they wanted but not me,” she said. “This is my big night.” Her family went as far as writing to the music superstar’s management requesting birthday shoutout on stage.

“I have followed his whole life,” Ms Dodin said. “He is a good artist and he is down to earth. I love listening to all the lyrics.”

She said it was a thrill to see the superstar in regional areas.

“It is a good thing because he went to Wollongong and other small towns,” she said.

“I think that is great because people in the country and small towns want to see him and you wouldn’t want to pay tickets to go to Sydney.”

Her granddaughter, Rachel Webb, said her grandma had been a fan as long as she could remember. a

I NEVER, EVER THOUGHT HE WOULD COME TO CAIRNS