The high notes don't come as easy, or at all, for Elton John anymore. But at 62 years old, Elton showed on January 6, 2010 at Honolulu's Blaisdell Arena that he remains rock royalty - writes Dave Dondoneau of the Honolulu Advertiser.

Playing to a packed house Elton, looking elegant in tuxedo tails and wearing rose-colored glasses, opened with a 75-minute solo set of his own — just he and he is piano — before percussionist Ray Cooper joined him for more than 90 minutes.

To say it was nearly a three-hour rock concert wouldn't be entirely accurate. It was more like an evening with Elton John. Classy, elegant, sometimes mesmerizing, sometimes taking everyone in the crowd down memory lane with old favorites like "Crocodile Rock," "Daniel," Nikita," "That's Why They Call It The Blues," "Rocket Man" and "Your Song."

Unlike many artists who pass through the Islands, play a few songs and talk little to the audience, Elton took the time before many of his lesser-known songs to explain the meaning behind them.

By the end of the show, security was ushering the reserved crowd toward the stage so fans could take photos and Elton could sign autographs and shake hands before the encore. Before performing "Sixty Years Old," Elton said he couldn't believe he wrote it 40 years ago, and before performing "Weight of the World," he said it had special meaning to him because he's now happy in life and that he made it through his wild years.

He was impeccable on the piano, and where he used to hit his high notes in songs like "Rocket Man," he smoothly sang lower. When it came to "Crocodile Rock," he let the audience hit the high notes in a "La-La-La-La's" singalong.
After opening with "The One," Elton proclaimed that Honolulu has long been one of his favorite cities — he's played there seven times — and said he couldn't believe he hadn't performed here in nine years. He said he booked the concert because he was coming to O'ahu for holiday and wanted to perform while he was there.

His final solo song was "Your Song," dedicated to the audience and all the fans who stuck by and supported him through the years. Sitting front row and taking in Elton's soothing sounds and class act was Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon, who are vacationing on Oahu.

About 400 tickets remain for Saturday's 8 p.m. performance at the Blaisdell Arena. Prices range from $67 to $157 and can be purchased at all ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com and 800-745-3000.

Following is the complete set list of the Honolulu show on January 6, 2010:

Elton solo

• The One
  
• Sixty Years On
  
• The Greatest Discovery
  
• Border Song
  
• Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes
  
• The Emporer's New Clothes
  
• The Weight of the World
  
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
  
• Rocket Man
  
• American Triangle
  
• Nikita
  
• Tiny Dancer
  
• Philadelphia Freedom
  
• Your Song

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