Sir Elton shows he still has what it takes

I mentioned in a blog late last year that I had bought some tickets to see Elton John at Portman Road, home of Ipswich Town FC.
At the time I was a little worried – would his voice hold up? Could he still knock out the old favourites with as much vigour as in the past?
Or was he going to be like his mate Paul McCartney, who, let’s admit it, has lost it.
Who can forget his shaky warbling at the London 2012 Olympics?
Well I needn’t have worried. The big day was yesterday (June 17) and Sir Elton was, put simply, quite magnificent.

As fans, we are obviously a little biased but even the usually cynical moi was very impressed.
The set lasted more than two hours and, apart from the occasional sip of water (?) and an admittedly laboured strut or two around the stage to whip up the EJ devotees at the front of the stage, he stayed at the piano the whole performance.
He may be 70 but he can still entertain a crowd.
I also mentioned last year that we had last seen him live on June 21, 1975 at the old Wembley Stadium at a concert that also had Joe Walsh and the Eagles and The Beach Boys on the bill.
Wrong.
We were at the Concert For Diana in in 2007 at the new Wembley Stadium when he was on the bill with many talented artistes, and Kanye West.
I mention that not as boast but because Sir Elton said at Portman Road yesterday that the home of Ipswich Town was only the third football stadium he had appeared at twice – the others being Watford and Wembley.

Wonder if he remembers spotting us in the crowd in 1975 and 2007 as well? I am sure he waved at me last night.

The sad passing of Sir Roger Moore last month had one positive moment for SWMBO and me.
We have been unsuccessful in attempts to get tickets for the New Year’s Day concert in Vienna for more than ten years. It’s a lottery and we have consistently missed out.
Yet each year, near the front, sat Sir Roger and his wife Kristina.
Do you think I can have their tickets?