Have you ever gone to see Elton John in concert?  Great, great, show!  I saw him at the Starwood Amphitheatre, the Bridgestone with Billy Joel, but my favorite gig was Knoxville.

November 11, 1997, Elton John played Thompson Boling Arena in Knoxville.  To make a long story short, I got to ride from Nashville to Knoxville in a limo with Elton drummer,  Nigel Olsson!

Kathy Armistead worked at the Starwood Amphitheatre and invited me.  She was friends with Nigel, and it was me, Kathy, Nigel and his wife, headed to Knoxville in a limo!

You have to understand that I grew up listening to those early Elton songs that Nigel Olsson played on; My Koss headphones on my head, playing along with the drums.  Elton is huge now, but it wasn't always that way.  Here's the early 'trio' days with Dee Murray, and Nigel on drums in 1971.

Sad story is that Dee Murray died on this day, January 15th, back in  1992 due to a stroke at Vanderbilt.  Dee and Nigel were best friends, and Elton would do two benefit shows at the Grand Ole Opry to raise money for Dee's family.

Nigel was out of the band at the time of the Knoxville gig, but would re-join Prince Elton in 2000, and has stayed with him since.  I got to meet Elton backstage, but it was different than most.  Very British.  You were put in a long line and stood still.  Elton would move up and down the line to 'greet' you.  That's my rub with Rock Star greatness for today!

Elton John plays the Bridgestone April 5th!  Tickets on sale this Saturday at 10 am.

Here's your shot at FREE tickets., plus FREE tickets all Free ticket Thursday!

Always liked this one from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.