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The Captain & The Kid

In this episode - The Captain and the Kid . . .

At 76, Elton John may not be able to vocally hit the high notes in Bennie And The Jets. Still, his solo piano renditions put many a classical pianist to shame as his accomplished fingers flow freely over his Yamaha Grand. He will always be Captain Fantastic - “A crazy kid becoming a better man.”

Last night (11/20/2022), while watching Elton’s return to Dodger Stadium, 47 years later, his Farewell Yellow Brick Road, North American tour, streaming on Disney+, feelings of immense gratitude stirred my soul.

The song - Someone Saved My Life Tonight from Captain Fantastic & the Brown Dirt Cowboy brought tears to my eyes. An LP vinyl album that shaped my youth. In 1976 I first experienced Elton John in concert (see Captain Fantastic).

Little did I realize at the time my dream of adult independence from small-town life took root during those impressionable years. Yes, Elton’s music and Bernie’s lyrics shaped the minds of millions of young people, just as our parents echoed the sentiment of the times; “Rock-roll music is the root of all evil.” Really?

As I sat in my living room, astounded that this live concert could be experienced from the comfort of my favorite chair, images of all those albums spinning on a turntable burst into my mind. It was as if I was young again, for only a moment, flooded with emotions of those years long ago that only music can rekindle.

Back then, my interpretation of the lyrics went something like this; When I think of those old street lights, winter nights, the curtains drawn in the bedroom upstairs. Prima donna Lord, you really should’ve been there, sittin’ like a princess perched in your electric chair. Someone saved my life that night, sugar bear; you almost had your hooks in me, didn’t you, dear? Fly away - high away, bye, bye.

Admittedly, one number that would have been worth the price of admission to this concert was the over-the-top production of Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding from the album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Fitted with multiple video screens, Dodger Stadium was transformed into a magical venue; a thunderstorm rolls in, lightning flashed, aerial views of Dodger Stadium DARK, the audience wearing synchronized flashing LED wristbands.

Suddenly, the eerie sound of an organ rises to a crescendo and then drops to complete silence. A solitary piano plays a familiar melody; the crowd begins to wave their arms; Funeral For A Friend - rocks Dodger Stadium. What a spectacular effect!

In 1976 my price for admission to the concert at the Chicago Stadium included; a nine-hour drive (the price of gas was $0.59/gallon), free parking, $9.50 for a ticket, and a few McDonalds’ meals on the road. To be young again. Today’s live events have an average ticket price exceeding $150.00 per person, driving to the venue (cost of gas $6.00/gallon), parking for $50, and staying overnight.

The answer to that elusive question, “Should I make my way out of my home in the woods?” In hindsight, maybe my move to California was inevitable, but unknowingly, someone saved my life that night.

“No, you can’t go back; if you try, it fails
Lookin’ up ahead, I see a rusty nail
A sign hangin’ from it saying Truth for Sale.”

Thank you, Rocket Man and the Brown Dirt Cowboy; through music, lyrics, and the magic of digital streaming, we were more than spectators at a concert . . .

“No lies at all, just one more tale about the Captain and the Kid.”

I’m Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

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