"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"

Last night was the start of a three day event under the Alaskan summer sun and one that will be talked about for a long time to come. Rocker Sir Elton John came into Alaska for three sold out concerts in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Yes . . . the odds are good that the goods are Odd . . . we’re crazy!
(Photo by unknown EJ Fan)

Anchorage is a unique city in the wilderness . . . 1,900 miles from the nearest city with a population over 100,000 people. In our city you can watch moose in the morning and a ballet in the afternoon. You can take a short flight to see some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on earth then be back in town for fresh seafood at a five-star restaurant. Our “Big Wild Life” city is an urban enclave surrounded by wilderness. This international city uniquely combines the conveniences of the modern world with a rugged, natural environment and backs up to these beautiful Chugach Mountains and surrounded by the waters of Cook Inlet in the middle of nowhere, USA. A special beauty that has all but vanished from populated regions of the world.

And EJ came to town . . .

Music is the life blood of any society and here in the northland we have various assortments found within the many tribal cultures . . . and we do get the rambling stage shows that come to town.

Usually when the stage shows drop into our remote part of the world there is usually something lacking from the “Big” productions found Outside. The three to twenty tractor trailers filled with all of the equipment, stage backdrops, lights, and sound equipment are always missing when entertainment comes to town.

This show according to my friend Scott was great and in its simplicity lacked nothing from the big productions, for EJ was the only person on stage . . . with a grand piano and never paused, a concert lasting over 2 ½ hours. It was a remarkable, even serious, show for a musician without backup band, singers or even percussion. Elton's passion and connection with the keyboard is unique and heartfelt.

Sporting an ornate long jacket with tails, embroidered with musical notes and the words "Music Magic," he opened simply with "Your Song" without a word, the tender ballad that started his career in 1970.

Scott called me on his cell phone when "Rocket Man" and "Tiny Dancer" played giving me a ‘mini concert’ from a far. It felt like when you are looking into our night sky in the winter and your friend sees a falling star . . . by the time you turn to see it . . . its gone and you wonder what beauty you missed seeing. Scott said he continued to play and pummel the keys on the grand which thrilled the attentive crowd which gave him a glowing standing ovation after nearly every song.

"Benny and the Jets" made the house go wild with the audience joining in singing and everyone loved "Crocodile Rock," the high point of the show.

It was probably no accident that EJ closed his performance with "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" which was almost timed to the fact that the Alaskan summer sun was slowly sinking . . . making its way to the horizon across Cook Inlet.

Enjoy your time in Alaska as we remember when your music brought back memories of days long ago . . . and brought out a big smile.

Ice

Photos by Marc Lester – Anchorage Daily News