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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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
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.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
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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