Fan Report by Marian J. Friedman

The show was great both technically and more importantly, emotionally. In all honesty, I am not a fan of Candle In The Wind but for me, it was the highlight. The entire arena lit up their lighters and everything was aglow. It has been a long time since I recall seeing that and it was really great. I loved every second of that song and being there. It was a tribute to Elton and how that crowd felt about him and in true "Elton" spirit, Elton gave back even more to the crowd. Some serious compliments were given to the audience on more than one occassion that night, and they ate those compliments up. WOW. Thank you Elton for that!

Okay, what everyone wants to know is: what did he wear? He wore a stunning all black suit with tassles at the shoulders and black on black stripe up the leg, very dapper indeed and very appropriate for a Texan venue. He wore totally funky sunglasses as well - sort of wrap around. For the encore, he wore a black track suit with red stripes on the arm (I think) and a red emblem on the chest but I couldn't see what the emblem was.

The crowd was great. I think a very classy crowd. Laredo is a border town with Mexico. Take this as you will but the women were beautiful and dressed even nicer. There was a very strong family environment which made for a very warm crowd. Relatives and/or friends shared the night together big time. I don't recall ever seeing so many people greet one another at a concert. I also had outstanding people sitting to either side of me.

Harmony was very good but Dixie Lily was really, really good as was All The Girls Love Alice. Sorry was perfect, Rocket Man got me on my feet, Take Me to The Pilot totally jazzed. Everything was good if not outstanding. It was a perfect show by a perfect showman and his band. Only briefly in one song in the beginning did the back up singing sound just a little off, and I also had hoped he would have performed Original Sin. Then again, there are loads of songs I would love to hear.

The most unusual event of the show happened when Elton cut Crocodile Rock dead to throw out the "f***ing asshole security guards" out. He continued yelling at the guy or guys until they were escorted out because they were making life impossible for the crowd to get to the stage and enjoy themselves.

Elton, you gave us a great show. You lifted everyone's spirits and i think even empowered everyone. People seemed to walk out of there feeling stronger and better about themselves and I am sure about life in general and isn't that what entertainment is for? Thank you for another great show and another great night out!

Following is the complete set list of the Laredo show on June 6, 2003:

1. Funeral for a Friend
   
2. Love Lies Bleeding
   
3. Bennie and the Jets
   
4. Daniel
   
5. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
   
6. Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes
   
7. Philadelphia Freedom
   
8. The Wasteland
   
9. Rocket Man
   
10. I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
    
11. I Want Love
    
12. This Train Don't Stop There Anymore
    
13. Take Me to the Pilot
    
14. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
    
15. Candle in the Wind
    
16. Dixie Lily
    
17. Harmony
    
18. All the Girls Love Alice
    
19. The Bitch Is Back
    
20. Tiny Dancer
    
21. Levon
    
22. Have Mercy on the Criminal
    
23. Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
    
24. Crocodile Rock
    
    
25. Pinball Wizard
    
26. Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
    
    
27. Your Song

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