Review: Elton John at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, December 18, 2019

At 72 years of age, the mind-boggling stamina of Sir Elton John can’t be denied as he begins his victory lap of Brisbane with the first of several shows.

ELTON John has Crocodile Rocked his way through the first of a few farewell laps of Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

The venue was packed with fans aglow with excitement to see, probably for the last time, the undisputed global superstar perform a range of lesser and better-known songs from a remarkable career spanning 50-plus years.

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In his first of two Brisbane shows this week, the 72-year-old music legend gave the people what they came for, with rollicking knees-up performances of many great songs — most composed with career songwriting partner Bernie Taupin.

The bejewelled star, who is in town as part of the mammoth Aussie leg of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road World Tour, flicked up the tails and kicked off the party with a well-received if languid version of Bennie and the Jets.

One of his biggest ’80s hits, I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues, was backed on the big screen by great people-watching pics of everyday English folk.

He told the gathering of his thrill when Aretha Franklin recorded Border Song from his self-titled 1970 album.

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The current version of the classic singalong Tiny Dancer proved to a rapt crowd that it is truly a song for the ages.

He hit the piano accompanied only by a percussionist for a dramatic reading of Indian Sunset after an explanation of he and Taupin’s unique songwriting method.

The consummate professional and ever flamboyant showman belted out many of the hits including Rocket Man, Candle in the Wind and of course Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Sad Songs, Daniel, Bitch is Back and Your Song.

He roared down the home straight with rocking flurry of I’m Still Standing, Crocodile Rock and belter Saturday Night’s Alright.

What cannot be denied is the mind-boggling stamina of the man who was playing show No.151 of a 270-date, global-criss-crossing Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour.

After another show at BEC on Thursday, he’ll and be back to play Brisbane and Mount Cotton in January and will return again in February/March for more Queensland shows.

Then on to New Zealand, Europe, and more US shows before closing the marathon tour and a glittering career with four shows at London’s O2 Stadium in December 2020.