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Quantcast Scene [IMG] Tulsa World [IMG] [USEMAP] [IMG] PDF Index Newspaper View Print Print Email Email Comment Comment [IMG] RSS RSS [IMG] [ ctl00$BodyContent$ArticleControl$Toolbar1$lnkBookmarkIcon ] [IMG] Bookmark Share Share [IMG] [ ] [IMG] If you want to bookmark this article on your profile page you [IMG] need to Login to your tulsaworld.com account. [IMG] [IMG] [ Close ] [IMG] [IMG] Piano men rock Tulsa: Billy Joel, Elton John play to a packed, [IMG] receptive BOK [IMG] [IMG] [IMG] Elton John plays the piano during his Face 2 Face tour concert [IMG] with Billy Joel at Tulsa's BOK Center on Tuesday. MICHAEL [IMG] WYKE/Tulsa World [IMG] [IMG][IMG][IMG][IMG] [IMG] By CARY ASPINWALL World Scene Writer [IMG] Published: 3/18/2009 2:34 AM [IMG] Last Modified: 3/18/2009 9:24 AM [IMG] [IMG] ------------------------------------------------------------ Search Spot _____________________ From Wayne Greene's Blog: " They could have fooled me, but it [ Search Spot ] looked like Elton John and Billy Joel really enjoyed working [IMG] together. I think they enjoyed singing each other's repertoire [IMG] more than they enjoyed singing their own." [IMG] Contact Info ------------------------------------------------------------ The tickets weren't cheap, but it was a lot of concert for the money. Elton John and Billy Joel played at the BOK Center on Tuesday night for the Tulsa stop of their Face 2 Face tour. They were cheered on by thunderous applause and several standing ovations from a spirited St. Patrick's Day crowd. The show was nearly sold out - save for 200 lower-level and stage seats that the BOK Center released hours before the show at a hefty $177 price tag with only single tickets available. For the die-hard fans who shelled out serious cash to see them, John and Joel delivered rocking sets of their classics hits. They started out as a duet on "Your Song" and then played a few more hits together before John took over for his solo set. Blindingly bright lighting effects during John's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" showed just how packed to the rafters the BOK Center was. Anyone who went to the show expecting a night of soft piano bar music instead got a thundering rock show ringing their ears. "Tiny Dancer," "I'm Still Standing" and "Crocodile Rock" got most of the all-ages audience on its feet dancing. "It's been a while since I've been to Tulsa," John told the cheering crowd. He last played here in 2000, at the Tulsa Convention Center. Scott and Renee Hiteshew of Broken Arrow bought club seats for the BOK Center so they wouldn't miss shows such as this, Scott Hiteshew said. He loves arena shows in general, he said, but as an Elton John fan, he was waiting to hear songs from the '70s - such as "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." When John played it, Hiteshew was singing along - as was most of the audience. Joel came on stage with an equally furious piano-and-guitar driven set, starting with "Angry Young Man." His piano rotated on a spinning stage during part of the set, something he joked was the only "high falutin' " special effect for his show. He thanked the folks in the cheap seats - joking that they were in Wichita - and played "Allentown," a story of hard times in a blue collar town. "Thanks for keeping us in business," he said. His last Tulsa gig was a show at the ORU Mabee Center in the 1980s. Joel snuck in a lesser-known track, "Zanzibar," explaining that it was known as an "album cut" by fans. "Remember when there were albums?" he teased. Most audience members were old enough to remember albums, but many were now toting iPhones and Blackberrys to take pictures of the show and update their Facebook pages. But in an era where so many concerts feature lip-synching stars and reality show drama divas, this was a show about the music, as indicated by the giant treble and bass clef signs flanking the stage lighting features. John and Joel finished the show together, appropriately singing "Piano Man." Their waistlines might be a bit thicker, their fingers a little pudgier - but the music hasn't lost a beat. ------------------------------------------------------------ Cary Aspinwall 581-8477 cary.aspinwall@tulsaworld.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Slide Show [EMBED] Here is an explanation of the buttons on the player above. Play slide show with sound Next image / play slide show without sound Previous image Expand the slide show to full screen To see each slide To see all of the Tulsa World slide shows, go to tulsaworld.com/photos. By CARY ASPINWALL World Scene Writer PDF Index Newspaper View Print Print Email Email Comment Comment RSS RSS [ ctl00$BodyContent$ArticleControl$Toolbar2$lnkBookmarkIcon ] Bookmark Share Share [ ] If you want to bookmark this article on your profile page you need to Login to your tulsaworld.com account. [ Close ] _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Reader Comments ------------------------------------------------------------ Add Your Comment Add 90 comments entered Show: Newest First Your Comment If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report Comment" link next to a comment. That Report Comment will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you, Web Editor Jason Collington Some reader comments for this page were copied from "Billy Joel, Elton John rock Tulsa," which was published on 3/17/2009. Comments Report Comment [IMG] Dad, Up North (last year) $201.60......EACH.......uh, ok. Report Comment mannfordmom, Tulsa (last year) [IMG] I might pay $201.60 to see John the Baptist, John Wayne, or John Hancock, but Elton John??? Sorry, just can't go [IMG] there. Most Popular Stories Report Comment Comments Barf-Bag, Chouteau (last year) made 1,845 Lawzee...yeah hope they save a few for me....I'm on my yesterday [IMG] way.....checks in the mail for them....yada Total 1,096,720 yada.....Didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday. That Comments is so far out of a poor mans expense. [IMG]Register to make reader comments And the 4 stars are for me in not being that crazy.. Report Comment 1) The CrossFit RomeosTune, Tulsa (last year) Congressman [IMG] Oh, I'd pay that for Elvis to come back. lol Honestly 2) 'Weird Al' though, It'd almost be worth it just to say you've seen Yankovic announces Elton live. Tulsa concert 3) It's official: Report Comment Pioneer Woman's [IMG] Online predator, Muskogee (last year) 'Black Heels to HA HA HA HA HA HA How much? Tractor Wheels' will be a movie Report Comment 4) We gotta feeling BarefootOkieGal, Sacramento (last year) it's gonna be a good, Hey, I didn't drive all the way out to Oklahoma to see good night Bruce Springsteen... I'm not ABOUT to head out there for 5) Dine on a dime [IMG] either of these acts!!! 6) Wednesday's 'Idol' results (Now, if you get Bob Seger out there, save me a room at 7) Eatery adds class the local Motel 6. Wait - doesn't Motel 6 charge almost as to hills much as Billy Joel now?) 8) Woman's back research helps others Report Comment 9) Fitness guinea pig The Reaper, Hells Gate (last year) 10) Influential Big [IMG] Bargin prices compared to other cities and entertainers, Star, Box Tops member Rod Stewart brought $475 for floor seats and the cheap Alex Chilton dies ones were $175 in Jax last year. 1) Justin Bieber's first headlining tour Report Comment will stop in Tulsa Bville, (last year) 2) Poll: What are you [IMG] LOL!!! ALL of you are hilarious! Esp Mannford! Keep it doing for St. coming!! I'm on the floor! Are you for real? $475 for Rod Patrick's? Stewart? Gaa! Bob Seger! YEAH! 3) 'Weird Al' Yankovic announces Report Comment Tulsa concert blackbeauty10, Tulsa (last year) 4) Lady Gaga plans LOL! you all are a mess, I sit and read these and just Oklahoma City arena lol! I work parking the cars and taking money for event's tour stop in July like these,it is really nice seeing people come from all 5) Conan O'Brien [IMG] over town, state, and counties? BOK is really bringing in bringing tour to the people with different events going on. Matter of fact Brady Theater if you all would like to see BOK bring somebody in that 6) Tulsa go braugh you would like to see, I would like to know if you all 7) Expect huge TV would pay that steep price? LOL!! To each it's on, why not audiences for Woods' go ahead and pay that price, the economy is not stoping Masters return anybody from enjoying what they would want to see. 8) Dixie Chicks to tour with Keith Report Comment Urban, the Eagles okie ridgerunner, small town (last year) 9) Black Eyed Peas And we are in a recession and headed for a depression, and plan after party people are losing their homes. but it is not hurting BOK 10) Rolling Stones [IMG] even at these drastic prices.if people would not pay it night on 'Idol': the price would come down. of course i still would not Disaster averted go.but staying away from things like that is the reason my 1) It's official: house and car and big screen TV and every thing i have is Pioneer Woman's paid for. 'Black Heels to Tractor Wheels' will Report Comment be a movie rozake, (last year) 2) The CrossFit [IMG] Incredible show. Elton John, Billy Joel, 3 1/2 hours, no Congressman intermission. My ticket with fees was $115. Well worth the 3) Woman's back price. research helps others 4) 'Weird Al' Report Comment Yankovic announces FuglyDude, (last year) Tulsa concert The show was AMAZING. It was worth every penny. Over 3 1/2 5) 'Safe' food is not hours of non stop music. The piano duets were awesome. 'boring' They both sounded great. Sometimes seeing these "older" 6) Panhellenic to venues can be disappointing and leaves you feeling like my honor women [IMG] God are we that old? (Eagles) Not these two. Last time we 7) Priest delves into saw Elton was in the 70's. Hard to believe. Because we are gaelic tongue older I think we really appreciate these "rerun" concerts 8) Tulsa web series more, and it's nice to actually be able to remember it the is 'mondo' funny next day - just can't hang like that anymore....... 9) Moonsky sandwiches best-sellers Can we get a DVD or CD of this show? 10) On TV Report Comment PR, (last year) Absolutely amazing, wonderful show. 3.5 hours of non-stop hits. Perhaps three songs total I wasn't familiar with (one was Zanzibar). To people commenting about the ticket prices. It is a simple concept - if you don't want to go, don't buy a [IMG] ticket. The $170+ per ticket price I paid was well worth it to me for a concert where you get two superstar entertainers. They were gracious and appreciative. Billy Joel even played 'Oklahoma.' 1.25 hours each with Billy Joel and Elton John followed by another 1.0 hour of additional hits played together... easily two complete concerts. Great show - bravo. Report Comment Bball Fan, (last year) I totally agree with Rozake FuglyDude and PR....the show [IMG] was AMAZING and a once in a lifetime event. Our $100 tickets were on the 3rd level but the view of the stage was great and the images on the scoreboard kept us 'right up close'. This was a wonderful show, and I am so glad that Tulsa has the BOk Center!! Report Comment [IMG] dog walker, tulsa (last year) Ken's around here, BA I agree with you 100%. It was a spectacular show. Report Comment Chaser23, Sand Springs (last year) [IMG] It was a great show and well worth the price we paid for the cheap seats. I was wondering, what happened to holding up lighters? Now they hold up cell phones..I feel really old now ! We would go again in a heartbeat. Report Comment Jolie2, (last year) Both Elton John and Billy Joel were at the top of their game, vocally and playing their pianos and were very friendly and warm to the audience. However, I was sorely disappointed by the sound amplification. The bass was so high, my chest was vibrating and actually hurt. This seriously distracted me from the enjoyment of the music I love so much. I lost part of my hearing for a couple of hours after the show as well and still have a slight headache. Why do bands/performers think more/higher volume is better? At this level of musicianship, they should back off the volume and allow the music and their talent speak for itself. I actually had a much, much better time at the Gordon Lightfoot concert last month at the Mabee Center. His beautiful songs and voice were not overwhelmed by high volume and his band. Even though I paid $200 to see this concert, I almost left before Billy Joel came on for his solo performance because [IMG] of my discomfort, but am glad I toughed it out to see two of my favorite songwriters/musicians. It was a little disconcerting to see Joel in a suit and tie playing rock and roll. Last time I saw him perform was almost 30 years ago and I can't remember if that's how he dressed in concert back then. Elton John was wearing flashy jackets, though, as you might expect. Both men looked healthy, happy, and relaxed. Does anyone know who the woman was that got up on stage and danced during 'Uptown Girl' and got groped by Joel and who kissed John three times? Pretty ballsy. One young man used Elton John's microphone to propose to his girlfriend during the concert. She accepted. John then invited them to come back to their next concert in Tulsa and bring their children with them. I've got a ticket to see Springsteen in less than three weeks. I'm taking ear plugs but can anyone recommend what I can do to block the vibrations from the loud volume/bass from my body? Report Comment Jolie2, (last year) to okie ridgerunner I think the performers and their agents set the ticket prices, not BOk. If people aren't willing to pay the [IMG] prices for certain performers, they just won't come to our town. This concert was performed by two legendary, internationally acclaimed entertainers and two full bands. They played much longer than the average concert. Therefore, the price should be viewed as buying tickets for two concerts, not one. Report Comment [IMG] debbiewade, Tulsa (last year) Fabulous show!!!! Report Comment [IMG] tjayer01, (last year) WOW...The concert was simply amazing!!! Report Comment seymore1965, Tulsa (last year) [IMG] Billy Joel played at the Mabee Center sometime in 1979 or 1980. I was still fairly new in high school. I regret not going all those years ago. Report Comment [IMG] centralhigh, (last year) $200 would have fed alot of poor people. Report Comment HardHeartedHanna, (last year) Jolie2, my best suggestion is for you to stay home. And all of your whiners, please stay home as well making tickets to an absolutely magnificant available for people like me who appreciate them. My tickets were in the $50 range, you could pay as much as your budget allowed. Too bad most tulsans have nothing better to do than to criticize how others spend their money. I have not received such a value for my money in many years. Those guys played their hearts out and I was [IMG] starting to wonder if they were just going to keep playing until their plane leaves the next day. I am still pumped. I also want to recognize the infrastructure that moved that huge crowd through the streets, ticket takers, and on to their seats. The police presence is obvious and parking was a snap. All of the prognosticators got that part wrong while complaining about the arena location. The people that actually ponied up for the tickets have said it all. It was an amazing show, and I would still be thrilled if I had paid $200. Tulsa is getting it right, I sure hope they continue! Report Comment [IMG] Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (last year) Best concert I have ever seen. Period Report Comment The Only One, Tulsa (last year) This was the best concert I have been to in many years. I [IMG] liked the way Billy Joel interacted with the crowd. My opinion is he blew Elton John out of the BOK. I would have paid $178 any day of the week if I could have gotten the tickets. I agree this was on my bucket list too!!!!! 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