Elton John bids Orlando ‘Farewell’ with energy, style, pizazz
Everyone knows divas like to be fashionably late but almost two years? C’mon! Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour” finally arrived at Orlando’s Amway Center Wednesday night after a COVID-19 pandemic-caused delay.
Originally scheduled for May 2020, the concert was a staggering reminder not only of John’s incredible effect on pop culture but his connection to fans.
There was a woman behind me nearly swooning, her arms raised over her head like she was a revival meeting. Across the aisle, four young guys danced and hugged. The couple in front of me enjoyed a steamy make-out session. Hey, music can be an aphrodisiac.
Video images throughout the show reminded us of how John has been part of the entertainment industry for decades — my entire life, literally. His first chart hit was in 1970. Images of John with pal Elizabeth Taylor, guesting on TV’s “Will & Grace,” at fashion shows, Oscar parties, his animated likeness appearing on “The Simpsons,” singing behind Simba from “The Lion King,” in the outrageous outfits he was known for, and inexplicably dressed as a second-rate Donald Duck (I would like to know the story behind that clip).
John has said he’s retiring from touring, so if he doesn’t follow Cher’s “I’m back again” lead, this really is goodbye.
Wednesday night, he was in top form — performing for nearly 2.5 hours with just two quick breaks of a minute or two for a rhinestone-studded costume change. Perhaps in a wink to his age — he’s 75 — the last ensemble involved a bathrobe, or what the British more elegantly call a dressing gown, as if he were preparing for bed.
But the energy throughout the show was sky high, suitable for rock’s “Rocket
Man.”
In a frenetic dance segment, he played “The Bitch Is Back,” “I’m Still Standing,” “Crocodile Rock” and “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” one right after the other, each building to a frenetic finale.
He stuck with his rock ‘n’ roll roots for the most part — none of the easier listening mid ‘80s-’90s “Circle of Life” era. And he reminded us that in the 1970s he was hailed as the savior of rock for a reason, with harder edged hits such as a passionately delivered “Burn Down the Mission” and a frenzied piano jam at the end of “Levon.”
Three percussionists among his veteran band members meant any combination of trap set, bongos, tambourine, maracas, chimes and cymbals could be played — and they were. That benefited “Sad Songs (Say So Much),” which felt even more rollicking than usual.
He paid tribute to Aretha Franklin, who had a hit by covering his and writing partner Bernie Taupin’s “Border Song.”
“Can you imagine?” he said of “two young British boys” learning the Queen of Soul would sing one of their songs. “We could not believe it. We were absolutely thrilled to bits.”
Lest you think John is resting on his laurels, he performed his latest U.K. No. 1 hit, last year’s “Cold Heart,” with duet partner Dua Lipa appearing on video.
“It feels really good, you know,” he said of having a hit at this point in his career.
John followed up the synth-pop confection with his first big hit — a simple and moving “Your Song,” which was released more than half a century ago.
“I’ve been very lucky,” he told the crowd.
John had done his homework, rattling off statistics in a farewell address at concert’s end. His first show in Orlando was Oct. 14, 1989, at the “Centroplex,” — better remembered today as the TD Waterhouse Centre or old O-rena — he said, before noting this was his 80th concert in Florida, 12th in Orlando and fourth at the Amway Center.
The English singer spoke emotionally about what his visits to the States have meant to him over the years.
“The love and loyalty and compassion that comes from you is just amazing,” he said. “I love America so much, and I want to thank you again for making me feel so very, very special.”
His parting thought, after a final visit to “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”?
“Be kind to each other, love each other.”
Then the one-of-a-kind star ascended a lift to his backdrop’s twinkling stars, before an image of John traipsing down that golden road filled the screen.
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