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Elton John lands at Centrium

The Rocket Man touched down in Red Deer on Wednesday night for a red-hot concert at the sold-out Centrium.
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One of the 1970's biggest pop superstars

The Rocket Man touched down in Red Deer on Wednesday night for a red-hot concert at the sold-out Centrium.

Elton John revealed his love for Canada, his astonishing virtuosity at the piano, and his sheer joy in performing, keeping 7,000 fans singing and swaying in the aisles through the non-stop, nearly three-hour event.

At age 65, the world’s most famous balladeer showed more endurance than many of his younger followers, rolling out a show that was as indefatigable as John’s seemingly endless run of hits across four decades.

“Good evening Red Deer! I never thought I would say that, ever, but I’m here — and very pleased to be here,” said John to shrieks from the crowd.

Many people in the floor-to-ceiling throng at the arena had travelled from across Alberta to attend the concert, including some fans wearing light-up glasses and feather boas that pay homage to John’s early glam rock days.

But there was no retro plumage for John.

Wearing a sparkly dark jacket that was understated, except for a giant silver ‘Z’ on the back and cuffs (presumably a silent shout-out to his young son Zachary), the English-born singer sat at a black grand piano and launched into the irrepressible love song, The One.

He followed it with an austere 1970 tune called Sixty Years On that contains what must now be considered the tongue-in-cheek line: “I’ve no wish to be living sixty years on.”

Holy Moses, John’s already five years past the mark and barely seems to age!

While his voice can’t always hit the high notes of his youth (some songs were adjusted accordingly), it remains a robust instrument that seemed to improve as the evening went on.

John sang some less familiar material including The Greatest Discovery, about a toddler getting a baby brother, and Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes, his emotional response to the U.S. government’s uncaring attitude towards ‘80s AIDS victims. But the concert was mostly packed with the hits many of us were raised with.

“I wouldn’t be sitting here tonight, or have had the career I’ve had, if it weren’t for this,” said John, before starting the familiar intro to Your Song.

The tune earned him a standing ovation from the devoted crowd, like almost every song he played.

He went on with Border Song (“Holy Moses, I have been deceived”), Honky Cat, Nikita, a ragtime rendition of Levon, a tinkly Tiny Dancer, and an appropriately bluesy That’s Why They Call It The Blues. Vegas versions of I’m Still Standing and Philadelphia Freedom, featuring detached staccato deliveries, were also served up.

But more affecting were John’s sensitive renderings of Daniel, Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word, and his gorgeous Candle in the Wind, which seemed to instantly transform the cavernous arena into an intimate concert venue.

He did similar justice to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, which was accompanied by a colourful light show.

While the infectious Bennie and the Jets and Crocodile Rock were the biggest crowd-pleasers, the most electrifying moment happened during the finale of John’s Rocket Man. The pianist created an echoing, lonely moonscape, using his instrument to remind listeners of the mystery of space and the wonder of the lunar landings that inspired the song.

John regularly amazed with his virtuosity as a pianist, infusing various beginnings and endings with seemingly spontaneous honky-tonk, blues and jazz bits.

He came across as a consummate professional — and a pretty nice guy. John took the opportunity, before sipping water between songs, to turn and address fans in all directions. At one point, he obligingly signed virtually every program waved at him from in front of the stage.

“I love coming to Canada. You know, part of me is Canadian,” said John, referring to his civil union spouse, Canadian filmmaker David Furnish. “And my son has a Canadian passport . . .”

Before performing his Lion King selections The Circle of Life and Can You Feel The Love Tonight? as an encore, John told audience members, “I wish you well, (good) health and happiness. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

No, thank you, Elton John — not only for the soundtrack many of us grew up with, but for providing one heck of a memorable concert in a city that didn’t expect to get it.

Beaming Calgary fan Donna Kernaghan left the Centrium having crossed one more item off her “bucket list.”

“It was an amazing concert,” she concluded. The biggest impression Kernaghan was left with is how much John likes being in front of an audience. “I was really surprised by how much he still really enjoys playing.”

lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com