A bona fide rock star coming to town and giving a free concert in the parking lot of a local records store. But that’s just what happened on Saturday when Elton John stopped by Tower Records on the Sunset Strip to promote his new album and to thank West Hollywood for its support of the AIDS Foundation.

Unlike the faithful crowding the parking lot and lining the surrounding sidewalk, I was nowhere near West Hollywood that day, but AOL live-streamed the event so I spent my lunch hour watching from the comfort of my workspace.  Years have passed since I was a kid listening to 45s of “Bennie and the Jets” and “Your Song,” but they still charm–and they’re recognizable from the opening chords. As is “The Bitch is Back,” which started off the set with a bang!

Anyway, pictures are worth a thousand words when it comes to an event like this, and I got some nice stills of Sir Elton, his band, and his magic piano hands that blur over the keys. Enjoy!

These guys have been playing with Elton for years, and the comfort and familiarity shows, from the way they back him up with such enthusiasm to the way they all embrace and take their joint bow at the end of the gig.

 

And seeing close-ups of Elton’s hands, moving so fast they were a blur over the keys, was a special thrill! That man can play, and he zoomed through 13 or 14 songs with an enthusiasm and energy that had the whole crowd cheering him on.  Towards the end, Lady Gaga made a special appearance to sing some of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” with him. He ended with a rousing rendition of “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.”

What a performance–and what a wonderful memory for those who got to see him!