Fan report of the February 20, 2004 show by Richard Joline.

What a couple of years it has been for this EJ fanatic from New York! I have caught five "Face to Face" shows, including several in the front row, the Tabernacle show in Atlanta (second row), a solo charity show in Chicago, and front row in Norfolk, Virginia.

I had the absolute privilege to attend the EJAF Enduring Vision benefit here in New York, during which I shook Elton's hand twice and had my picture taken with him and Sting as well as leaning on the stage while he performed for an hour.

I have snuck into sound checks, met Elton at his hotel and gotten 10 more album covers autographed, which brings my total to 16 - all of which I will cherish for the rest of my days. (I'm sorry Elton, I won't ask for any more!)

After all of this, aside from being invited over for dinner, what else could top any of these experiences? Well my friends, do yourself a favor and get to Nevada.

I had never been to Vegas and really did not have an overwhelming desire to go. But I just had to see the "Red Piano" during the first week, so off I went. I had managed to secure a second row ticket right in front of the "red" piano and, as is always the case, I could hardly contain my enthusiasm as the final minutes before the show ticked away.

At promptly (get there on time) 7:30 pm the house lights went down and the band assumed their usual positions on the stage. All looked refreshed and relaxed. And then the man himself strode out from stage left and walked the length of the stage to the piano, acknowledging the crowd, including yours truly.

And with the opening pounding notes of "Bennie and the Jets", the spectacle begins. And spectacle is the word! The entire stage is backed by what can be described as a IMAX like screen that must be more than 100 feet in length. The lights, the props, the images all make this a show instead of a concert.

Elton looks and sounds great. He is clearly enjoying himself and he has every right to be proud of this latest accomplishment. I won't go into many specifics except to say "Believe", "Pinball Wizard", "Daniel", "Candle in the Wind", etc, were all fabulous in their own right.

Elton took time between songs to explain how they came to be, introduce the band, pay homage to the original Elton John band "founded in 1969" (including the talented and missed Dee Murray) and thank the audience for all the love he feels from us. I really can't adequately explain the entire experience except to say that you will not be disappointed.

But...the best was saved for last. I had read a fellow fan report before I left that indicated some fans were allowed to dance on stage during "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)", the second to last number. Could this be true? Well as Nigel hit those first six beats and Davey made his guitar scream, there I was bounding up on to the stage, right in front of the piano. Are you kidding me?!! Am I dancing on stage right in front of Elton as he is pounding the piano smiling back at me? Wait, I'm in heaven right? Hi Davey. Hey Bob, how are ya? Thanks Nigel! Turn around - 4,100 people dancing in the audience looking at us!

Back to Elton - he's right there, nothing but the length of the piano between me and him. I'm having the time of my life and he knows it! What can I say. Autographs, hand shakes, 65 previous concerts all over the country during the past 28 years - and now this. It just can't get any better. Except to say that I'm going again and will as often as my real life permits for the next three years. And I'll dance there again...right next to the "Red Piano"!

Folks, I know this can be expensive - and Vegas as a whole is not for everyone although it is a curious observation of human behavior. But if you are reading this far, you are a true fan and you would be as thrilled as I was if you had the opportunity I just had. My thanks to my wife and kids for understanding and allowing me to indulge in this passion - a passion that was kindled in an eleven year old boy in 1972 and has burned fiercely ever since as this boy became a man. A passion that comes from a beautiful man's heart and talent and energy - his devotion to performing for us all these years and the magic that he creates. Through a lifetime of love and loss, everyday life sprinkled with the occasional joys, the music of Elton John as been the one constant source of happiness and inspiration for me - and for that I could never say thanks enough to you Sir Elton John!

And you know what? During the past couple of months he has created another record for us all to enjoy for the rest of our lives. I can't wait for that Tuesday in September when it will hit the stores and the journey continues ...

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