The last tour started last night, and it started in Allentown. Twenty four songs at the PPL Center, and Elton John walked out and opened with Bennie and the Jets like he had somewhere to be.
The setlist was a career in miniature. Tiny Dancer, Philadelphia Freedom, Rocket Man, Levon, Candle in the Wind solo at the piano, Funeral for a Friend crashing into Love Lies Bleeding. The Bitch is Back, I'm Still Standing, Crocodile Rock, Saturday Night's Alright. Then the encore said the whole thing out loud: Your Song, the one that started it, and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the one that ends it.
Allentown was not random. It is right up the road from Lititz, home of the stage builders, and it was Elton's 81st show in Pennsylvania. His first was a pair of gigs in Philly back in 1970. He told the crowd the night had been two and a half years in the making.
Two sold out nights in Philadelphia next. Then the long goodbye really gets going.
Photo: Photo by Diana via Pexels
Source: EltonJohn.com
