Elton John delights the fans
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
True to a promise made in a solo concert in 2003, music legend Sir Elton John sang in Malta again yesterday, delighting a huge crowd at the Granaries in Floriana.
Organised by NNG Promotions, the concert saw the music legend sing many of his classics.
He has sold more than 250 million albums and produced songs like Daniel, Your Song and Candle in the Wind.
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69 Comments
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Veronique Amato Gauci
Sep 29th 2010, 21:18
Sir Elton John.......'Un vero signore' showing off his genius and immense talent for the upteenth time and yet, in the most humble manner possible.....
Truly a complete and tireless artiste indeed who gave us his all, for two and a half hours non stop!
Lorna Agius
Sep 29th 2010, 16:22
Concert was great and not disappointed at all with the choice of songs, would have liked it better if half the people in the first 50 rows would have got off their chairs before the last two songs though! How could they sit through that rendition of "take me to the pilot"? And furthermore, when a band, (in this case, a legend) goes off stage after his "last" song, it is customary for the WHOLE crowd to scream for an encore until he comes back on - maybe us Maltese don't go to enough concerts to know this! Please Malta, really, if you like what you're seeing and hearing, let everybody know it - Scream, Applaud, Dance (really it's OK!)
By the way, today's article mentioned he came on stage around 9pm when in fact he came on at 8:30 on the dot!
Samir Abou-Hussein
Sep 29th 2010, 14:39
It was really a great concert. Many thanks to the highly distinctive super star, ELTON JOHN and to all the organisers. It was some thing that maltese fans deserved! looking forward optimistically for future that Elton John will be again in Malta. Proset for all!
Cesco Bonello
Sep 29th 2010, 10:59
I pity all those who here state that this performance was a let down for the lack of "famous" songs. You don`t go to see Elton john live for just for Crocodile rock and candle in the wind but to witness a legend perform his magic. You need to look beyond and appreciate that Elton john gave a deeper, warmer performance. He played way more songs than he had planned on his set list (as can b noticed from the set list stuck on the piano). If he chose to play "less famous" songs is because he felt he needed to share them with an audience which i`m guessing he felt made him feel comfortable to do so. That`s an honor cause these songs normally mean much more to the artist than the commercially successful ones.
p caruana
Sep 29th 2010, 10:45
As far as I'm concerned, Indian Sunset, Levon and Sixty years on+ all the rest are just as great as Crocodile Rock and all the others. All you have to do is look beyond Elton John's obvious hits to albums like Madman Across the Water and the early ones. Seeing Ray Cooper performing with Sir Elton John was just great.
My questions: Is there any possibility of another concert, even in seven years time? and will this tour be issued on DVD?
charles spiteri
Sep 29th 2010, 07:32
in my opinion ej best music is not even included in his 'greatest' albums. i have been a fan of his music for some 35 years now. in his concert he gave us one example 'better off death'. together with ray. it was so wonderful and perfectly delivered. if you want to taste some more of his music listen to 'live like horses', 'harmony', 'i've seen that movie too' and 'high flying bird' for example.
D. Farrugia
Sep 28th 2010, 21:23
He didn t delight all his fans.....I m disappointed and so many others !
J.Pace
Sep 29th 2010, 10:23
I agree.......he didn't play his best songs like candle in the wind, yellow brick road, don't go breakin my heart, someone saved my life tonight, sacrifice, nikita, crocodile rock, I want love, I'm still standing. Disapointed too.
Chris Saliba
Sep 28th 2010, 19:50
Great show by the Legend Sir Elton John. I agree with Mr. Joseph Galea that we had to wait so many years to see 70's/80's music. Nng Promotions keep up the good work and bring us Eric Clapton, Phil Collins ets. Thanks to all at nng.for the professional work.
Pule' Carmel
Sep 28th 2010, 10:25
@ Adrian Wirth. Rather strong words,but I tend to agree in a way. All people need to feel entertained, some are active and create their own hobbies others are passive and need others to entertain them. What I find interesting to study is the fact that all entertaining and relaxation emanating from others is a form of drug which suits the observer and listeners and audiences. There are medicinal drug, musical and artistic drug, religious drug, other entertaining drug as magical shows, airshows, carnival, etc and of course there are the heavy entertaining drugs which we will not talk about. Poeple seem to need to create all this form of entertainment to feel fullfilled!! We are a social animal and group behaviour is intoxicating. I believe there is a limit to all this, but we have certainly gone over the limit and rythm and motion sends you into the world of fantacy at least temporary to have some leave from the city world we have created.The interesting component about such art is that it is the observer that creates his own extacy, sometimes derimental. Hide all art and all that remains is the technology that supports it.We imagine the rest!!!
D.MANGION
Sep 28th 2010, 09:07
Only 2 more left to see.
Paul McCartney and Adriano Celentano.
Then I can die in peace.
@ NNG...this was your finest act...up to now.
Jonathan Vella
Sep 27th 2010, 22:41
A very well done to NNG...perfect organization...keep up the good work and bring us more !!! Thank u Sir Elton, you were truly amazing!!!
saviour visanich
Sep 27th 2010, 20:28
For my wife and myself, two and a half hours of pure pleasure. I have been an Elton John fan for the past 40 years or so. I seriously doubt if any of today's musicians will be even mentioned in 40 years time. Well done NNG, how about trying to get David Gilmore to Malta?
Michael DeBono
Sep 27th 2010, 23:01
That would be the day. Dave Gilmour. Or even Waters one other time...he's touring in Europe this and next year
G.WOOD
Sep 27th 2010, 20:25
what can i say well done Fantastic. seen your show many times, hope to watch many more.
Charles Micallef
Sep 27th 2010, 17:40
@ M .Fenech Since Elton John was a very close friend of Lady Di (and is still very close to her two boys) as she helped him to turn his personal life problems around, and Lady Diana death came all of a sudden he spoke to Bernie Tobin his lyric writer (who wrote most of his songs) and they decided to use the music of Candle in the Wind and re-write the lyrics. He also recorded the song in one take. I do not think that publicity was the main reason as all proceeds went to Lady Di favourite charities at the time. I also think that he did not need any further publicity as he is one of the artists that donate a lot of his income to various charitable institutions hence the reason of the knighthood!
Adrian Wirth
Sep 27th 2010, 17:04
Are we seeing (or is it reading) evidence of a younger and less well broadly educated generation that, like all else in their tiny narrow focus world, can't see, taste, hear or touch other than what is thrust down their ever open throats and even smaller gullible minds by moronic advertising and so called market promotion experts. No longer is musical appreciation taught in schools let alone are the nuances of all main stream music genre explained or investigated let alone the social and cultural histories that brought about those styles of music understood or appreciated by todays human automata. Every generation brings about it's music fashions, this generation forgets the latest fad before most even know it existed, such is the nature of todays 'disposable society'. There - got that off my chest and feel a lot better for it.
R.Farrugia
Sep 27th 2010, 17:33
Why are you generalising mr.Wirth ? Who do you think you are !? Or does your surname make you an upper class ?? After all, you know what ? We are the generation of those who think that are so intelligent and ingenius like you ! Im 18 years old. I attended yesterday's concert. I think it was quite good although could and would have been better had he sang the more popular songs. Am i still one of those adjectives you used ? What a waste of time !!!
Nizar Hingari
Sep 27th 2010, 19:49
Mr Wirth are you implying that all youngsters are iiliterate in musical appreciation / Im 26 and i like this music .. dont generalise!
V. CALLEJA
Sep 28th 2010, 15:05
Well, I'm 19 and I like Elton John... I also like ABBA, Barbra Streisand, Shilrey Bassey, The Bee Gees, and many other great artists like Diana Ross.... I think this is too harsh a generalisation! Although I think many people my age are oblivious to such talent, that is not to say that all of them are unappreciatice of it! Perhaps you do have a point but the manner in which you said does not really encourage such youngsters to listen to and admire these great artists!
Alex Buttigieg
Sep 27th 2010, 15:40
I always said that Elton John is in a class of his own and once again, we were not disappointed. An excellent show from start to finnish and was worth every cent.
Thank you Elton. thank you Ray Cooper.
My final thanks to the Organizers for a great job.
T Mifsud
Sep 27th 2010, 14:20
Besides commenting on the fantastic show by Elton John, I would like to congratulate the camera director and cameramen for pulling out a moment of magic :
During highlight of the fantastic song Rocket Man, Elton John appeared on the large screens with a shot of the live moon behind him. Literally there was a few moments that the moon appeared cloudless and by chance it was during Rocket Man. The director grabbed the moment and pulled out a fantastic shot of the moon superimposed by Elton John on the piano singing and playing Rocket Man repertoire. The crowd went ecstatic in cheers and claps and was very emotional shot.
It was only used once, not overdone and that's what made it so special.
Absolutely Perfect! Well Done!! Who was the director?
racheal jones
Sep 28th 2010, 13:54
Director is john steer
T Mifsud
Sep 29th 2010, 01:22
Thanks! Well done to him as well.
K FARRUGIA
Sep 27th 2010, 14:18
i'm still thrilled to this minute, what a talent! and i add that a word of praise should equally also goes to the great Ray Cooper
Joseph Galea
Sep 27th 2010, 14:13
I'm a big fan of 70's / 80's music ,but i ask ,why is it that we had to wait all these years to see them performing on our islands?
RGatt
Sep 28th 2010, 09:56
'Cause in the 70ies and 80ies we only got the Gaddafis and Ceaucescus.
Jankarl Farrugia
Sep 27th 2010, 13:55
what a great night for all ages...
@Ms richards...do you actually appreciate music? with all due respect to TJ and RS, they re not even close to EJ, and its a completely different music style youre looking at anyway... so i he ll step a side when he decides to step a side, and if you have been to last night's concert ..his performance was as good as his early years if not better inspite of his age..
Joseph Falzon
Sep 27th 2010, 13:13
Well done...... Great Concert. Thanks to the organisers. Worth every euro cent.
colin stanley
Sep 27th 2010, 13:04
Truely a great show ,everything well organised, prosit. one problem for us, we were seated,in section A row E,front seats, but unfortunately for us, the huge speakers were right in front of us, and sometimes the sound was a bit too much for my ears,otherwise GREAT.This is the third time we saw his concert.
R. Vella Bamber
Sep 27th 2010, 18:13
Again, seated concerts and the cheapest ticket holders set to the far sides or at the very back.
Come on organizers!!
Mario Genovese
Sep 27th 2010, 12:48
Dear Joanna Richards
Who would you compare with Elton John from the last decade???????????
Julian Pace Ross
Sep 27th 2010, 12:32
Well done to the organisers.. thank you for not making us buy €20 worth of tokens just to get a small bottle of water... Rod Stewart organisers please note!
Put the big screens higher please, I'm short.
Joanna Richards
Sep 27th 2010, 12:25
I think he actually passed his sell-by date and should step aside for the much younger generation of entertainers, this includes has beens such as T.Jones and Rod.Stewart. Ofcourse i am not an old age pensioner Yet.
RGatt
Sep 27th 2010, 13:24
Are you serious. Do you know that legends like Sir Elton never die. Sell by date you say. I say over 40 years of music and still going strong. Today's generation of musician are exactly that, just for today. It's obvious you do not know what you're writing. LOL
R. Azzopardi
Sep 27th 2010, 13:48
Ms. Richards,
I won't bother asking what sort of music you listen to. It is probably what you hear on the radio, not to mention the ghastly so called dance music that has "graced" our lives for the past 20 years. I am only 31 years old but happen to have an ear for PROPER music, hence I enjoyed myself immensely last night.
RMangion
Sep 27th 2010, 14:16
I am in my early twenties btw so its not an old pensioner who is saying this . Some of today's musicians are ending up making remixes, or including pieces of great classics to enhance their songs. sooo.... does that ring a bell ?
Thanks
N, Pace
Sep 27th 2010, 14:52
Joanna
I think you need a course in music appreciation............sell by date?? Sir Elton John????
Oh well......
R. Azzopardi
Sep 27th 2010, 18:51
@RMangion BRAVO!!!!!!! Very well said. Speaking of remixes, you're probably too young to remember, however, I remember a time (in the late 90s when music was really awful) that remixes became de rigeur. Fleetwood Mac's "dreams" was remixed. Nothing much was done to it but enough damage was done to turn a magnificent song into drivel. The bass grooves were deleted and left the song with no soul whatsoever. That's what "modern musicians" are capable of.
H Zammit
Sep 28th 2010, 16:41
You probably never heard of Led Zeppelin, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath .... just wondering!
adrian wirth
Sep 27th 2010, 11:53
A river of pleasure from first to last note with crescendo rising upon crescendo in cascades of utter pleasure.
What a repertoire and consistency of quality of both voice and piano with the added enjoyment of a wonderful timpanist. What age did you say you both are.
The flow from one to the next piece barely noticable.
Superb - a night to remember - thank you -
PS - You delighted the wife too.
PPS - To the sound engineers - you rarely get a word of appreciation - if you are local then very very well done, if you're not please please consider offering a Diploma Course at Malta College of Science and Technology - WE NEED YOUR PROFESSIONALISM !
Navarro Anna Marie
Sep 27th 2010, 11:41
Sir Elton, thank you, wishing you much health to continue drawing crowds in the years to come.
M. Vella
Sep 27th 2010, 11:17
Rod Stewart should learn from Sir Elton John
What class, interaction and performance
A true star!
Charles Micallef
Sep 27th 2010, 11:02
I think that the original Candle In The Wind was originally a tribute song to Marilyn Munroe...?
J Simpson
Sep 27th 2010, 11:13
Yes it was.
Bernard Cachia Zammit
Sep 27th 2010, 11:36
Yes 'Candle in the Wind' was dedicated to Marilyn Marylin Monroe. He composed another version of the song, named 'Goodbye England's Rose' dedicated to Lady Diana.
M. Fenech
Sep 27th 2010, 14:27
@ Bernard Cachia Zammit.
He didn't compose any new music, he just changed the lyrics of 'Candle In The Wind' which I find very unfair towards Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jean Baker), since it was a tribute song to her. It was a good business deal as the new version of 'Candle In The Wind' broke all previous single's sales in the UK. He could have composed a new song and added lyrics dedicated to Princess Diana Of Wales, since he's such a great composer. But I think time wasn't on his side, and he wanted to take the once in lifetime opportunity, which he did! The event ( the funeral of Diana, Princess Of Wales) was a very big publicity, and he didn't want to lose it!
Yanov Cutajar
Sep 27th 2010, 22:09
M. Fenech, I highly doubt Sir Elton John used Diana's death for publicity. He remade the song and sang at her funeral because he was a very close friend of her's not for money. Get your facts straight please.
Joe Fenech
Sep 27th 2010, 10:46
I've been to loads of concerts by Elton John in the 70s and 80s. From the comments below i notice that his is still a big professional and a gentleman!
I hope that this time there were no cons with the drinks from the organisers. Give the Maltese people a break and let them enjoy themselves. They've already got a lot to deal with!
Charles J. Buttigieg
Sep 27th 2010, 10:39
A correction for my other comment.
"Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose" is a remake of "Candle in the Wind" as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. Released in 1997, the song peaked at No. 1 in the United Kingdom, becoming Elton John's fourth No. 1 single. It also peaked at No. 1 in several other countries. Elton John said he would never again sing this version live except at the request of Prince William of Wales or Prince Harry of Wales.
mike galea
Sep 27th 2010, 10:24
Worth every cent and minute we waited for. Just excellent! Thank you EJ
Marisa Ford
Sep 27th 2010, 10:16
perfect. worth every cent!
Charles Micallef
Sep 27th 2010, 10:16
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant..! ! ! ! ! !
!..........what a night, what a show, Sir Elton and Ray Cooper simply the best.
Well done to the Promoters, very professionally organised and managed.
Even their Agents / Security personnel were very well briefed and acted in a very professionally manner and deserve a pat on the back!
A night to remember......!
anton cassar
Sep 27th 2010, 10:00
Elton John was astounding...his live performance was magnificent considering his age & Ray Cooper summed it up with an energetic performance...Having said that everything was perfect,even the weather held well(Probably God wanted to listen to Elton John playing) My final suggestion goes to the organizers.Please next time don t have the VIP & seating area too big cause most of them were just sitting ducks.
E Gatt
Sep 27th 2010, 11:18
@Anton Cassar..
I was sitting in the VIP area and I could hear everyone sing along to his songs. There surely werent any sitting ducks in my area.. as i could see most people were over 50 so you dont really expect them to stand for 2.5hrs. Also, after paying up to €200 for a ticket.. im sure everyone made the most of it and the sitting ducks were at home and not on the granaries.
Aside from that,
a BIG well done to NNG Promotions for putting up such a spectacular show! This was by far the most organised concert I`ve ever attented. Getting to our seats was no hassle what so ever! everyone was truly hands on and it made such a difference!
J Brincat
Sep 27th 2010, 09:51
What can you expect from one of the biggest stars of our time!
Charlene Bonello
Sep 27th 2010, 09:28
Great show and well organized but disappointed that he didn't sing candle in the wind.
Adrian Sciberras
Sep 27th 2010, 09:13
@Marthese and Kevin Camilleri
I believe he needs permission from the royal family to sing that song.
Jason Copperstone
Sep 27th 2010, 13:23
Just a clarification mr. Sciberras. He does not require permission from the royal family to sing the song. The fact is he has two versions of the song, the original dedicated to Marilyn Monroe (aka Norma Jean) and the second dedicated to Princess Diana with slightly different lyrics. After performing the second version at the funeral of the Princess of Wales he vowed not to use that version in a live concert unless requested by members of the Royal family.
Antoine Grima
Sep 27th 2010, 09:10
WOW WOW WOW .What a night.Thanks from the heart Sir Elton.That is professionalism.What an artist,what a singer,what a gentleman.Got as close as a couple of feet away from the legend hoping to shake hands,at least the wife got the plesure of doing so and she was,is over the moon.Thanks again Sir Elton and may God be with you , the world desperately needs people like you.
Mario Genovese
Sep 27th 2010, 08:46
That is what I call 'money's worth'. Elton John continues to be truly a legend. I had seen Ray Cooper perform with other great musicians on various recorded concerts and I knew that the man is truly a musician and a showman........as well. Congratulations Elton....next time please bring in Davey Jonstone and Nigel Olson.
Junelle Galea
Sep 27th 2010, 08:45
Amazing performance!
RGatt
Sep 27th 2010, 08:32
Dear Mr. Rod Steward, it's never too late to learn.
Marthese and Kevin Camilleri
Sep 27th 2010, 07:13
Excellent show, both had a lovely time. Abit disappoointed that Elton John did not sing Candle in the wind. How come?
A. Schembri
Sep 27th 2010, 09:33
Unfortunately, he does not dsing it anymore on Live concerts as he get too emotional during it. He had said this on one of his TV interviews. However, yes it was a pity we coudl not hear it Live. But what a show.
Just a small comment to NNG, please place the large screen highter up as some as a number of people found it difficult to see them. Otherwise fantastically organised. Wel done to all involved!
Shawn Grech
Sep 27th 2010, 09:54
If you are referring to the version of Princess Diana, Elton John swore that he would never perform that version again in concert. If you are referring to Marylin Monroe's version, well he did not perform a lot more of his classics, like Nikita, Sacrifice, I wanna kiss the bride, I'm still standing etc..... but you can't blame him from performing his recent and new material. It was a great show we could not have for more in my opinion.
R. Azzopardi
Sep 27th 2010, 10:03
Expect these disappointments. I remember being disappointed that Deep Purple didn't play Child in Time in 1998. Yesterday's concert was truly awesome. I was really disappointed by some idiots who preferred talking their way through the concert though.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Sep 27th 2010, 10:27
Elton,only sings 'Candle in the wind' ( the second version) when he has a member of the British Royal Family in his audience.
D Fenech
Sep 27th 2010, 07:07
Excellent performance! Elton has so much energy and passion! He played the piano and sang for two and a half hours without a break ! Amazing! Sheer poetry!
Ray Cooper's contribution was the cherry on a very MAGICAL cake!
The organisation was also flawless!
What a wonderful evening!