I never realized until recently how weird things unfold as we tread forward in this thing we call life. To gain a better idea of what I'm taking about I need to take you back to 1986 or thereabout. My family was gathered at my cousins' house one night. We were standing around for some reason when my cousin Paolo asked if he could go see Elton John at the old Montreal Forum.
I was 14 at the time, which meant he could not have been more than 17. Like any young teenagers, his brother (who was my age at the time) and I expressed interest in going also. Our parents were not convinced that they should let the three of us go on our own into the city. Luckily for us, my uncle was interested in going to the concert and was willing to take us. Paolo was persistent and he was not going to be denied. Permission was eventually granted.
It was to be our first major concert and we were thrilled. We may have been kids but we were sufficiently exposed to classic rock thanks to my older sister. I was aware of who the giants of rock were back then. I was not easily impressed by the sound of the '80s. But Elton John. Wow. Tumbleweed Connection was a favorite album back then and remains so until this day. Same with Madman Across the Water.
Paolo, who was a piano player, liked "Sad Songs" very much. I liked it also and one day I borrowed his 45 to record the song on my tape recorder. We didn't burn CDs in those days. Of the older classic penned by Bernie Taupin and composed by Elton John, "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" also held a special place in his musical heart.
Article comments
1 - Jon Q.
This story is a Sad Song, he makes it sound like eight track tapes were invented in 1986 and EJ was just releasing Captain Fantastic. I was out of high school for three years already in in 1986 and EJ was not flamboyant anymore and 45's were not the flavor, what a loser.
2 - alessandro nicolo
Huh? Wow. I've seen distasteful comments in my day but this one takes the cake. We were KIDS, were just getting onthe CD craze. 45s were still being sold. And to us he was still flamboyant. Unreal. The point John Q, was that someone I hung out with and died loved Elton John - sorry you missed the human side of the story. Says much about you. Did I say unreal? If you were in front of me....
3 - denice
alessandro,
i hope you don't mind, but i posted this blog in the alt.fan.elton-john newsgroup... i'm sure they'll appreciate both the joy and the sadness you've expressed... it's both a heartwarming and heartbreaking story at the same time.
also, to correct the previous poster, elton could still be described as flamboyant in 1986... that was the year he recorded the "live in australia" cd and video, and he was wearing some wild costumes for that concert... and some would say he's STILL more flamboyant than most performers out there.
4 - alessandro nicolo
Denice, thanks. No problem and further thanks for the clarification. I have no idea where he was coming from - eight track tapes? Sad Songs, I believe, was realesed in 1983 when 45s were still being sold.
5 - Stoned In The Twilight
Nice story, Alessandro.
6 - alessandro nicolo
Thanks. This may be a nice story but that's one cool name! 'Stoned in the Twilight'....
7 - elton1111
Thanks alessandro. I came across this story posted on the crazywater elton john fan site. I am sorry about Paolo. I'm also sorry about Jon and his ignorance. Elton was quite flamboyant in 1986, with huge wigs going every which way and glasses in the shape of various tetrahedrons. That was his most flamboyant tour ever, maybe next to 1973. anyway, I hope you enjoy Captain and the Kid, and hold on to your memories.
8 - alessandro nicolo
Hey there, thanks. Yeah, he managed to push my buttons. I remember distinctly looking into my binoculars and watching him go wild on that piano.
9 - Lord Choc Ice
For Jon Q, if you don't know what you're talking about, maybe you shouldn't be talking. 1986 was was one of the most flamboyant times for Elton in his whole career, not only were the costumes over the top, but it was a time that Elton was wearing crazy colored wigs, something he had not done in any other time of his career. I'm sure there are many other places that you can get your 2 cents in so next time do it somewhere else. Thanks.
Lord Choc Ice
10 - Evan
i like Elton John Elton is the best i saw him in concert and who is this Paolo
11 - Evan
Elton John deosent come on here