Thursday 16th June saw Elton John visit the Isle of Man for the first time with a tremendous gig up in Nobles Park in the tent originally earmarked for the Bay Festival
Sometimes when older superstars play, there are so many backing artists and gizmos that you actually wonder whether the original performer is still in there but this was just Elton and his piano. No place to hide but he certainly didn't need anywhere because in 2 hours and 45 minutes he took us through his 41 years in the spotlight with breaks only to take applause and the occasional sip of water.
Although I am no expert on art of piano, it seemed to me to be a consumate performance, using his full repertoire and the vocals remain strong if deeper than in years gone by.
As with most of the crowd, I couldn't quite believe who had come to sing for us and we certainly let Elton know that we appreciated his presence.
I had it on good authority from a police source that there was to be no encore but having taken his bow and spent time signing many autographs, he returned to the grand for one last tune.
The other 7,999 fans will join me I'm sure in apologising for the delay to the Airport staff who had kept open Ronaldsway especially so that he could leave that night and also the dude who will have to rebuild the park wall which my chum Murray Lambden assures me was knocked down to allow Sir Elton swift egress rather than to allow access for pitching the marquee.
It was a truly magical evening but certainly, one is left wondering whether we will see the like again after the spectacular implosion of the Bay Festival.
Can it be worth importing such facilities as the tent, the bars and all the event staff for one night only and were they able to make it still pay or were the promoters, Marshall Arts, just limiting the damages to their pockets and reputations?
Personally, Irene and I were among many who having failed to procure tickets on the morning they went on sale, went for the hospitality option. As the day of the concert loomed and we still weren't in possession of our tickets, we began to doubt that we would be going at all, especially when we learned that they had been sold to Jonathon Irving's outfit.
It was somewhat disappointing that the package that we had bought for a staggering £234 each including having paid V.A.T. twice on the £100 seats had been slashed to just being two glasses of bubbly and a cheap buffet.
That having been said, there was a really good harpist and vocalist playing beforehand in the sunshine, some entertainment afterwards and not such a long queue for the loo.
All considered, if we had travelled anywhere in the UK to watch such a brilliant performance, we'd have had flights, hotels and meals to buy as well as the tickets and we had superb vantage point, so Reg Dwight really did save the day.
I really can't imagine where my friends get the idea that I'm a bit of a hog of the limelight but of course, as soon as we left the arena, we were accosted by a lady from 3FM interviewing concertgoers and the aforementioned Mr Lambden was on hand to record the occasion and has since published it on his blog at www.manxathletics.com
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