Elton John thrills crowd at Sun Dome
Rock royalty rocked the house Friday night at the official reopening of the USF Sun Dome.
Sir Elton John brought the love – and the hits. Lots of them.
The capacity crowd went wild from the moment the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer took the stage dressed in a black sequined jacket and rose colored glasses and launched into an energetic "Saturday Night's All Right (For Fighting) and "Bennie and the Jets."
The British rocker gave fans a trip down the yellow brick road of a spectacular career that includes 56 Top 40 hits and seven consecutive No. 1 albums.
John, a young 65, appeared energetic and in his element as he showcased ferocious piano skills and a voice unaffected by time, stopping only occasionally to interact with fans and take a few sips of water.
"He sounds amazing," said Anthony Arena of Tampa. "What a show. What a legend."
Flanked by his veteran five-piece band and four back-up singers, John moved seamlessly through the 150 minute show bringing the audience to its feet again and again on hits like "Bennie and the Jets," "Levon," "Philadephia Freedom," and "Tiny Dancer."
Fans joined in a sing-a-long on "Crocodile Rock" and when John beckoned for the crowd to move into the empty space between the front of the stage and the front row seats, he rewarded them by spending several minutes signing autographs, shaking hands and giving high-fives.
He even thanked fans for buying tickets to the show during these hard economic times.
Croatian cello duo "2Cellos" wowed the crowd as the opening act that included a stunning version of the late Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal." The duo also appeared on stage with John for several numbers.
And if there were any questions about sound issues at the renovated Sun Dome, they are in the past. Concert-goers raved about the sound.
But if Mars is no place to raise a kid, Fowler Avenue is no place to get stuck when you are tying to make a show at the Sun Dome.
There were officers directing traffic and many patrons were still parking cars or walking in when the headliner took the stage.
