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Elton John and Billy Joel, the most successful and longest-running concert pairing in pop history, will reunite for their Face 2 Face tour March 2, 2009 in Jacksonville, FL. Elton and Billy open the concert with a series of duets, playing twin pianos and trading vocals. Each artist then performs a set with his own band. A grand finale brings the two superstars and their supporting musicians back together for a closing encore. This includes some of both Elton and Billy's greatest hits along with an unpredictable selection of rock and roll classics.
Elton John
Only one word can describe Sir Elton John's musical career - legendary. His is a multi-Grammy Award winner, including the Grammy Legend Award, reserved for the rare few.
 He is a musical chameleon, initially a singer/songwriter, John discovered he could create pop, and rock tunes with the rest of them. He could go into soul, disco, and country, in addition to his already known balladry and rock. His song writing skill, the effortless way he belts his songs, his charisma, and his flamboyant stage presence makes him perfect for the glamorous lights of Las Vegas.
The Rise and Fall
The start of his music career was not very promising. He released his debut album in 1969 which received fair reviews, but no sales. He continued to toil until in 1970, his single "Your Song" hit the Top Ten.
He produced a steady stream of hits from 1972 and 1976. There came "Rocket Man," "Crocodile Rock," "Daniel," "Bennie and the Jets," "The Bitch Is Back," and "Philadelphia Freedom."
But the years would follow a swift decline. He was addicted to cocaine and alcohol, and was losing steam and fans late in the 70’s and early 80’s. His admission in a major music magazine that he was a bisexual (and afterwards, a homosexual) alienated him from some of his fans. It did not end there. In 1986, he underwent throat surgery while on tour, though he thankfully made a full recovery.
The Comeback Kid
In 1988, his concerts in Madison Square Garden in New York City sold out five consecutive times and marked the start of his return to fame. He voluntarily underwent therapy to address both his drug addiction and bulimia and 1991, was pronounced sober and cured.
In 1992, he established the Elton John AIDS Foundation announcing also that he would donate all royalties from his single sales to AIDS research.
His newest album at the time, The One, entered the US Top Ten. He then signed a record-breaking publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music in 1992 for a reported 39 million dollars. In 1994, John joined hands with Tim Rice on Disney's The Lion King. The single, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, as well as the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. John's comeback was complete.
The Diana Tragedy
However, his success would be overshadowed by a tragedy to one of his closest friends, Princess Diana. For her memorial, he re-recorded "Candle in the Wind" as a tribute to the princess.
He then released an album featuring the “Candle in The Wind” and promised the profits for Diana's favorite charities. It became the fastest-selling hit of all time in both Britain and the U.S. with first-week sales of over three million copies in the U.S. alone.
Las Vegas and The Red Piano
Sir Elton is now one of the premier performers in Las Vegas. His show, The Red Piano, is an exclusive to Caesars Palace. The last show is set for February 3rd, 2009.
Few artists go through some of the things that Sir Elton John has gone through and still come out stronger than ever. He has weathered the storms of his more than 30-year music career, and yet he remains one of the most admired and beloved performers all over the world.
Tickets for the May 26 and May 30 shows at Air Canada Centre are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.ca, www.livenation.com, the Air Canada Centre Box Office (no first day sales) and charge by phone at 416-870-8000. There will be a limit of 6 (six) tickets per customer.
Concert dates announced for the March segment of the Face 2 Face tour immediately sold out and include Jacksonville FL, Tampa FL, Charlotte NC, Cincinnati OH, Atlanta GA, Tulsa OK, Houston TX, Phoenix AZ and Anaheim CA.
"The great thing about performing with Elton is that he is such a good piano player and that makes me have to dig deep to keep up with him, not to mention I've got the best seat in the house-only one piano away from Elton John!" said Billy.
"I love touring with Billy. I have the greatest respect for him and we're such good friends," Elton said.
"Following their 1995 sold-out performance, Toronto will finally be able to see these iconic piano men, Elton John and Billy Joel, dueling together on one stage," said Air Canada Centre's VP Live Entertainment, Patti-Anne Tarlton. "We are thrilled to welcome back to Toronto these two legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees."
Elton and Billy played the first date of their co-headlining Face 2 Face tour on July 8, 1994 at the 62,000-capacity Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia PA. That Veterans Stadium concert began a run of 21 sold-out performances in 13 cities and established a winning formula for all future Face 2 Face concerts. The duo last toured together in 2003.
Perhaps the high point of that 1994 maiden voyage was the series of five concerts at 75,000-capacity Giants Stadium in New Jersey. In his review of the July 22 performance, Neil Strauss of the New York Times wrote: "Musically, the two gifted, idiosyncratic artists exist in the nether world between pop and rock, where Broadway show tunes, classical compositions, ragtime, gospel and rock-`n'-roll mingle freely."
The 1994 Face 2 Face Tour played its final concert August 20 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL. It had become one of the ten biggest US tours of all time. In March and April 1995, the Face 2 Face Tour returned for twelve encore performances at some of the country's largest stadiums.
Three years later, the tour that conquered North America took Europe, Japan and Australia by storm with a total of 30 performances.
Elton and Billy last toured together in 2003 with 24 sellouts. There could be no doubt that Face 2 Face starring Elton and Billy was, according to Billboard, "the most successful touring package of all time." |
