Fan report by Craig Mallaby.

I have been explaining time and time again to people how good Elton John actually is and how his music is an inspiration to all if we allow ourselves to believe that Elton truely is a legend in his own right.

This is the third time i've seen Elton and surely not the last and where better than to tour the ground where Elton dedicated his passion than the Vic itself (no not the Eastenders Pub) but Vicarage Road home to Watford Football Club.

I went with my Mum and with some encouragement I managed to persuade my younger brother, Neil, 13 to going to see my "teenage idol". I took my keyboard, amplifier and microphone for a little gig I would be doing myself at Cafe Maximo, where a successful "Lunch Around the World" event took place.

I made sure I didn't play songs that was in Elton's set though made them just as special including the "Peachtree Road" songs including "Too Many Tears" and "It's Getting Dark In Here" which Elton hasn't yet performed live. I also included some slow songs like "The Greatest Discovery" and "Come Down In Time" and to get people on their feet some up tempo classics like "Honky Cat" and I couldn't resist to play "Crocodile Rock".

Overall the event was successful and with help from the auction and raffle featuring goods, my favourite being the photo of Elton's last performance at Watford in 1974, with this and plenty more valued collectibles for the taking, we managed to raise over £1,000 which I think is a great achievement to contribute to the Elton John Aids Foundation. Guests at the LATW event included Eltonjohn.com editor Laura Croker and East End Lights reporter James Turano.

After 5 hours of fun we were set to enjoy ourselves even more, just a stroll around the Town Centre of Watford down a couple of roads to the club which looked incredible and you could see why the city takes pride. The chants from the crowd were amazing and the atmosphere was unbeatable and to make it more special the money we paid for our admission goes to Watford F.C.
themselves so lets hope they have all the success they deserve next season.

I sat in the turnstiles, though I actually managed to get onto the pitch before the concert started and took some pictures of the stage and the crowds and then toured back to my seat ready to hear a British icon, Lulu! I must say for a woman of her age she's looking amazing and in great shape and her voice was terrific she started off with the song she duetted with Elton on her "Audience with Lulu" show in 2002, which also featured on her album "Together" called "Teardrops" and then played a couple of songs from her upcoming album as well as some of the memorable tunes including her energetic finale "Shout" a great way to get us into things and she warmed our vocals a little too.

Next up the Pinball Wizard himself, and coincidently thats the song that he was introduced with as the band landed straight into the instrumental which sounded amazing and when Elton John arrived on the stage the crowd gave him such a reception which for one man is outstanding and an inspiration to me to say he plays the piano, writes songs and sings them classics that we are well known to, it's difficult to wonder what the difference is.

Elton too was energetic and you could tell he was enjoying himself and absolutly beside himself knowing he was back where he belonged, and for someone like me who has never been to Watford before I sure knew how he felt as I was proud to be there too. Elton was on fire playing hit after hit, the wonderful new single-to-be "Electricity" from his recently written musical, Billy Elliot, was like the song starts "I can't really explain it, I haven't got the words" but the feeling was uncontrollable and the emotion was high among the crowd which had reached over 23,000 for this one off event one of whom was the young star who is one of three to play as Billy in the West End, James Lomas.

To hear "Funeral For A Friend" in the middle of his set was quite refreshing as normally we hear it at the start but I really appreciated it more and it made you think that the concert was far from over.

People danced, sang and just adored hearing the 58 year old pound out his talent knowing he was playing for them. I was so glad he did his encore early because i didn't want to wait for just one song, but thankfully he did "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" revealing that he does where a wig! Yes, a Watford wig, given to him my by a fan in the front row which added a bit of humour to the excitement and the emotion overall which is great and defines his title as a showman and entertainer.

Elton then played "Crocodile Rock" and everyone joined in on the La La La's! But when the evening finally came to it's end with "Your Song", Elton dedicated it to every single one of us and reminded us how proud and happy he is that his fans support him everywhere he goes and I think that made it special too that he appreciated our efforts some of us even drove 6 hours just to get there but "Your Song" gave a feeling of relief and love which could easily bring anyone to tears.

Although Elton sang as loudly as he could, "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" kept it there for a little longer and then the night drew in and as we walked out of the stadium we were accompanied by the Aida song "Written in the Stars", and I don't know is it written in the stars? Just a stretch of Elton's time? No but it was definatly God's gift (if there is one) and one which we will treasure in our hearts forever. Time to go on, life continues ...

Picture from the event can be found on the Watford website.

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