I Met Elton (part one)

Hi, Eltonites! I love that picture, it's from Patrick Andrey, from Switzerland. He is one of a few Eltonites who had the chance to meet Elton: "He signed a few items including a photo taken on stage (at a Red piano concert). He asked me where it was and I replied: Zurich. He signed it and draw an arrow on his head with a chuckle". It seems very  hard to meet him, but some people do. And what are you thinking when someone guides you to meet him? How's Elton? How difficult is to meet him? That's the first part of some histories about meeting the idol: in the kitchen, on a football team, on a party after a show, on the street. Me, particularly, I haven't met Elton, and I am afraid it will neven happen. But I love to heard their experiences, they are all good people, great fans, and deserved what happened. "The only thing I can tell you is "believe"" explains Patrick, while adding: "Myself, I dreamed of this meeting during 25 years and I never thought it will happens one day". Let's join us on their stories: They met... Elton!

"Oh, I was obsessed 100% lol, everything I did or talked was to do with Elton, I drove my mum mad", starts Marie Hart Challenger, from England: "One time my mum had a win on the football pools and she gave me £100, that was a lot if money them days, she told me to buy my friend Julie a present, so what did I buy her? haha: and Elton John album, she didn't even like him, and I made Julie sit there and listen to every single album". "I got the chance to meet Elton in April of 2000... it was through the Rocket Club" continued Lynn or ericsmum from Alabama, US.: "They were giving a very limited number of Rocket Club members an opportunity of "winning" a backstage pass and meet and greet with Elton. I was informed I was selected" Patrick Andrey had, along with Anna from Barcelona, the same experience: "It was on September 4, 2010, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain: "We met him in his dressing room. At first, I could not believe I had Elton standing in front of me, it was a bit surreal".  Hercules eltonfan editor, Stephan Heimbecher, from Germany, reminds the road to go to one of Elton's Londoner houses, and the excitement arriving there: "Half way to the hallway, a few stairs downwards, two young ladies appeared and shortly afterwards a little dog jumped around between my legs. It's name was Denis, as I got to know later from Elton himself". That was on April 3, 1997: "I was very surprised when the two guided us through a small living roon directly into the kitchen and disappeared right away. Only Denis stayed with us". Stephan went to deliver a fantastic cheque of about £1,000 for his EJAF, the fanclub recollected, also with gifts given by other fellow Eltonites: "When I told him the sum, he was obviously surprised".

And how to approach him? "I was both very excited and intimidated to realize my wildest dream. With Anna, we wondered how to approach him, what to say to break the ice... without looking too... fanatics!" Patrick Andrey had it clear. "He was dressed with a beatiful white shirt and white glasses, something quite rare at this time. And I do not know why but I told him: "Wow, you look great tonight!". He replied with a smile, "Oh, thank you very much!". Incredibly, I spoke to Elton like to an old friend... without hesitation!". Ericsmum says: "On the way to the venue, even though I knew this was happening, it was all very surreal... like you can not believe you are really going to be able to meet him, I was so excited, nervous, but so very excited...". Jamesm from England too, explains his experience: "I met Elton several times back in the 1980s. I was nervous the first time but quickly realized I had no need to be. It was always after a match had finished at Watford Football Club". Now it's Marie Hart's turn: "I first met Elton in 1977 when Watford were playing at Norwich. The second time was when he did a concert at Preston Guild Hall and Julie got to go backstage to meet him. Julie queued up with me most of the night outside Guild Hall, in sleeping bags, in the snow". 

"To say I was an Eltonite is an understatement. I have loved him since I was around 11 years old and can say that his music has absolutely been the soundtrack to my life" says Ericsmum with satisfaction, while adding: "My first Elton concert was in 1976, I was 15. We wound up in the second row and had a blast. I think Elton changed costumes about 3-4 times that night. This was when Caleb Quaye and Roger Pope were in the band, I still have a picture of Elton then. One of the outfits that he wore was an Uncle Sam outfit". What else, Lynn?  "We were escorted to a room where there were tables and chairs and they had Coca Cola products and bottled water for us. Then several members of the crew such as Bob Halley and Clive Franks came in the room and spoke with us and answered questions. I would say there was about 20-24 people in the room. We were told by them that they weren't SURE that Elton would visit us, that it depended on him and how he was feeling... and just basically told us that if he came in that he is kind of shy and not to rush him"

(to be continued)