We went into the venue about 7:15p.m.  The stage was all set up except for no pianos.  It was about 7:50 p.m when we heard the orchestral music from Aida which signals show is about to begin!!!!   The stage was in four sections; band on upper section, then singers on next section, pianos then a open section around the stage.  The floor went down on the open section and came back up with two pianos.  The music swelled, the crowd started applauding and Elton and Billy came out.  Elton wore a black suit and black shirt. His jacket had red stripes on the shoulders and sparkly diamonds on the lapels. The same red stripes ran down the sides of his slacks. He had black shoes, a diamond stud in his ear and dark tinted glasses. Oh yes, the sideburns are back. Billy wore a black suit and shirt. He had slimmed down and it was great to see him looking so good.

1. Your Song Elton and Billy

2. Just The Way You Are Elton and Billy

3. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me  EJ & BJ...Billy leaves stage. His piano goes below stage.

4. Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding..........loved Davey's guitar on this.  Elton said he was happy to be back in Tampa again.  He was sorry about the postponement from March and he wanted to make this a memorable night for all.

5. Someone Saved My Life Tonight....Elton's vocals on this came from his heart it sounded like tonight.  About this time, a group of people from the New York Fire Department(FDNY) sat down in the front rows by Elton. He acknowledged then when they sat down.

6. Philadelphia Freedom........Elton slammed the piano lid several times.

7. I Want Love......Elton said he would do a few songs from the new album "Songs From The West Coast."

8. Rocket Man....this song seemed to go on and on, which was perfectly okay with me.

9. Take Me To The Pilot......same as above.

10. Have Mercy On The Criminal......didn't expect this song as I have never heard it in concert......thought Elton might have sung "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" as he did on the Concert for New York last year, and because there were those from the FDNY at the concert. It was good seeing them there. A local group has been flying them and their families in  for a stay on the west coast(of Florida); this time they got tickets to see Elton also.

11. Tiny Dancer....Elton introduced the band after this song. I could hardly see Nigel from my seat.  With both Elton and Billy's bands, it looked crowded up there.   Bob Birch, Guy Babylon, Jon Mahon, Nigel Ollsen and Davey Johnstone. 

12. This Train Don't Stop There Anymore.....Elton only sang two from SFTWC....I missed not hearing "Original Sin" live.

13. I'm Still Standing...Elton, a few times, stood up, walked around the stage and motioned for everyone to "stand up!"

14. Crocodile Rock.....never get tired of hearing this one live...Everyone was up dancing in the aisles with this song.

15. Angry Young Man.....On Billy's first two songs, we had trouble understanding the words, but they got it fixed soon after.

16. Allentown

17. Movin' Out(Anthony's Song)...Billy now apologized for postponing the show last March.  The audience warmly greeted him with much applause.

18. Summer Highland Falls

19. Goodnight My Angel....one of my favorites of Billy's songs.

20. River Of Dreams....another good one also.

21. New York State Of Mind...this one got the most reaction.  Billy's saxophonist, Mark Rivera, wore a NYPD cap,which he later threw out into the audience.  Billy introduces his band here.....Mark Rivera(gee he's handsome), Andy Cichon, Tommy Byrnes, Dave Rosenthal, Liberty DeVito and Crystal Talifero.  I love watching Crystal play her musical instruments. She is never still and must have a deep wellspring of energy. (Wonder if Billy would let Elton steal her away for his band?) 

22. Miami 2017(Seen The Lights Go Down On Broadway)

23. All For Leyna

24. I Go To Extremes.

25. The Good Die Young.

26. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant...You know how this one begins: "A bottle of red, a bottle of white; Perhaps a bottle of rose instead" but Billy sang "Perhaps a bottle of ginger ale instead."  This one got to us, knowing what he has been through earlier this year.

Elton comes back out now for a set with both him and Billy. Elton is now wearing a red suit and black tshirt.He is wearig red framed glasses with clear lenses...Good, we can see his gorgeous eyes now!  His jacket has sparkly diamonds near the cuffs.  He is wearing the shinest black boots.  He has on a single white earring this time. Billly is not into changing outfits like Elton at all. He took his jacket off though.

27. My Life

28. The Bitch Is Back. Elton and Billy were trying to outdo each other one on this song.  Elton got up, walked down the stage and pouted.

Not sure what song this happened on but Elton got up,stood on his piano bench, then laid down on the piano. That was so funny! Never know what Elton will do sometimes. But thats the fun of his shows.

29. You May Be Right......Elton was having a lot of fun on this one.  He went to where Davey was playing his guitar, and danced around the stage. Elton was so cute dancing....he should do that more often!

30.  Benny And The Jets...this one needed no introduction. Everyone knew it from the first note.  Up dancing in the aisles again.

 

31. A Hard Day's Night....a total surprise but Elton and Billy rocked on this one.

32. Great Balls Of Fire......loved this one...Elton sang this song at the first concert of his I went to, May 1998, here in Tampa also but haven't heard him sing it since. 

Elton and Billy leave the stage.  Lights go down and everyone is clapping and stomping the floor. I could feel the floor move where we were sitting, with all the stomping.   Elton and Billy return to the stage. This time Elton is wearing his plaid pjs, a medium lavendar shirt and grey jacket, black shoes but no earring this time,  and black framed glasses, again with clear lenses.  Gosh, he looked good enough to hug and kiss...sigh............

33. Candle In The Wind......you know what this means.....its almost over. boo hoo..

34. Piano Man....in this case, it should be Piano Men.....Elton and Billy let loose on this one and had everyone on their feet again, clapping and yelling.  They left us all with a mixture of sadness and euphoria.  Sadness it was about over but euphoria for all the joy they gave us tonight.

As Elton exited the stage, he was walking toward the exit, which happened to be right under where we were sitting. He was so close to me, about 5 feet below us. I leaned over to look at him; I would have called down to Elton, except for I was hoarse and couldn't have squeaked out a word at all. I do believe he saw me though.  Elton was in the shadow but I think he looked up.

That's my story of Elton and Billy's concert on Friday, 13 September 2002. Been the best Friday the 13th I've ever had!!!  When's my next Elton John concert? I am ready for another one! 

Patricia Holecko

 

Patricia aka EJsPat