Farewell, Yellow Brick Road

Photo+by+Melissa+Weinstein

Photo by Melissa Weinstein

Melissa Weinstein, Web Staffer

I refused to tell my mom where I was going Friday night. “It’s something you’ll be very jealous of,” I assured her. I knew she was probably looking up my location every five minutes, trying to crack the case. I knew that eventually she would see me in the Capital One arena, getting ready to witness one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended.

As I sat down to write this article about Elton John’s last show ever in Washington D.C., I tried to think of an angle that would allow me to talk about my experience without bragging. However, I really don’t think there’s a way to casually mention that the star himself would make eye contact with me as I found myself pressed against the stage, right in front of Elton John’s grand piano.

Wearing the most extra, sparkling outfit that he probably stole from my grandmother, Elton John walked out with no opening act and no introduction. He didn’t need one. The man, the myth, the legend proceeded to sit down in front of his piano and play a single chord.

BUM.

Right away the crowd screamed and jumped to their feet as they recognized the infamous intro to “Benny and the Jets.” The electricity in his beautiful voice was contagious. Although I will cut him some slack for not being able to reach those satisfying falsetto notes, Elton John truly made his last tour one to remember as he belted all of his hits including “Rocket Man,” “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting),” and of course ending the show with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”

With the exception of a few laps around the stage, the performer mainly sat at his piano, moving his fingers with impressive speed. There were moments where his talented bandmates occasionally stole the show with insane drum solos and wicked guitar licks, but those moments were very intentionally and all the more enjoyable. Elton John didn’t feel the need to get up and put on an elaborate show featuring himself and only himself. He is at that level where his stage presence takes over the entire room, even if he stays in one spot for a majority of the time.

Photo by Melissa Weinstein

Meanwhile, as I was sobbing in front of the stage, the super star proved to me that he was just your average Joe while he chewed on a cookie to prevent himself from passing out. He would pause to talk to his fans, thanking them for supporting him during his long career, but explaining how he has different priorities in his life right now.

Throughout the concert I consistently sent videos and pictures to my mom, reminding us both of those long car rides filled with Mona Lisa, Tiny Dancer, and the sentimental music my parents worked hard to show me at a young age.

As Elton John exited the stage in the most extra way possible by being carried through the back wall on a lift (are we surprised?), I realized that although his touring days are over, his nostalgic music will always remind me of that amazing night, and the people I care about most.