
Sir Elton John is a musical legend whose impact spans multiple generations. I have powerful memories of the Captain Fantastic and never believing I’d have enough money to buy Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – it was a double album of course. I eventually bought it with hard-earned cash from my part-time job. Like so many of Elton John’s albums, it was destined to be a classic. While the vast majority of Elton John’s work is in collaboration with Bernie Taupin (they did part ways for a brief period from 1977 through 1979), it was John’s work with Tim Rice for Disney’s Lion King that introduced a whole new generation to Elton John’s musical genius. I remember my daughter mesmerized in the movie theater and later her younger brother loving the stage production of the Lion King at the Princess of Wales Theater in Toronto.

Through out the night he was accompanied by his long-time band mates – and I’m talking 30 plus years together – Nigel Olsen and Davey Johnstone.
Take Me

to the Pilot was next on the set list. This is a staple of Elton’s live performances. When released as a single, it was the A-side to the enormous hit Your Song and was included on the American debut and self-titled Elton John album (his second studio album). Many have tried to interpret this number, but lyricist Taupin himself has acknowledged that he really doesn’t know the meaning of the lyrics, but they do seem to have worked.