I loved their music in the '70s, listening to the songs over and over, but I never realized how talented Billy Joel and Elton John were on the keyboard until last week, when I - along with thousands of screaming fans - saw the duo perform in Albany.
I guess I never really paid attention before, but to see what those two men did to their keyboards was an eye-opener. Elton John and Billy Joel are to the piano what Santana and Eric Clapton are to the guitar. Putting these two men face to face on stage was a stroke of genius.
Performing alone and together on the Pepsi Arena stage, the artist's really brought me back to my past - back before MTV, before music videos, back to when you had to use your imagination. Back to the days when you would lay on your bed listening to your “record player†and daydream about your latest crush.
They opened the set together; Billy Joel’s piano dropped onto the stage and Elton John was decked out in a chartreuse suit with matching shoes. They rocked the house. Elton John could barely keep his butt on the piano stool, and it did tip from time to time. With songs like "Rocket Man" and "Tiny Dancer" (which he dedicated to a friend) the crowd just wanted to dance, although you couldn’t actually stand up in the $90-something upper seats that we had.
When Billy Joel came out for his set I was mesmerized. His sound was not quite as good as Elton John’s and sometimes you couldn’t quite understand his words, but that didn’t really matter because you knew them anyway. I literally ran to the bathroom so that I’d only miss one song. I found myself with my elbows on my knees and my chin in my hands remembering thinking that "Only the Good Die Young" was written for me.
The backup bands were incredible. Elton John’s backup singers sounded exactly the same as 25 years ago. Billy Joel’s band used every instrument, including two saxophones, horns, percussion and bongos. The laser light show danced perfectly the music. You can't describe in words what the combination of music, lights and nostalgia felt like.
Later, the duo jammed on stage together, rocking the house again. You can’t call their music Pop; it was truly rock and roll. I found myself forgetting whose song was whose. They just played together so well, as if they'd always performed as a duo.
They finished up with "Crazy," "Crocodile Rock," "Great Balls of Fire" and the finale of all finales’ – "Piano Man." How appropriate. The 40ish crowd sang the chorus. The smile on my face was genuine and I knew that I had gotten my money’s worth with a concert of a lifetime.
Billy Joel & Elton John performed at the Pepsi Arena on Thursday, April 24 and Saturday, April 26, stops on the "Face to Face" tour.Julie Salatino is a Berkshire Juvenile Court staff member, jewelry designer and a lifelong music fan
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Winter Storm Warning Issued for Berkshires
Another snowstorm is expected to move through the region overnight on Friday, bringing 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is updated from Thursday's winter weather advisory.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has posted a winter storm warning for all of Berkshire County and parts of eastern New York State beginning Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday at 1 p.m.
The region could see heavy to moderate snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour overnight, tapering off Saturday morning to flurries.
Drivers should exercise caution on Friday night and Saturday morning, as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Saturday night should be clear and calm, but warming temperatures means freezing rain Sunday night and rain through Monday with highs in the 40s. The forecast isn't much better through the week as temperatures dip back into the teens with New Year's Eve looking cloudy and frigid.
Samuel Currence served his country in the Air Force with distinction, professionalism and unparalleled humility from 1962 to 1985, retiring as a technical sergeant. click for more
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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