The Eltonite's Day (IV): Dazza

Hi Dazza. Nice to “meet” you. I was very interested in interviewing you because I know you’re a great collector of Elton’s items. You started like me, recording Elton’s songs from the radio to tapes, waiting to buy his last album. And you’re a dear kiwi, as Elton named to all of you in one of his concerts.

So... Could you tell us, please, who are you and where are you from?
My name is Darren George, born & grew up in city Hamilton, New Zealand (North Island, 1.5hr drive south of Auckland) I was born March 1974 (very close to Elton’s Birthday!!!) I now live in sunny Gold Coast Australia since March 2006.

Right. When you became an Eltonite? Remember the first time you heard Elton’s music and what moves you to buy his music?
Like Elton I grew up in a house with music, manly radio. To this day my parents still go to sleep radio going in their bedroom. When I was 11 or 12 I stared to get interested in music. I had tape cassette player and blank tapes and use to record songs I liked off the radio. In New Zealand the main national radio station played loads of Elton songs…… Your Song (1970); Tiny Dancer (1971); Levon (1971); Rocket Man (1972); Honky Cat (1972); Crocodile Rock (1972); Daniel (1972); Saturday Night's Alright For fighting (1973); Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973); Candle In The Wind (1973); Bennie And The Jets (1973); Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (1974); The Bitch Is Back (1974); Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (1974); Philadelphia Freedom (1975); Someone Saved My Life Tonight (1975); Island Girl (1975); Pinball Wizard (1976); Don't Go Breaking My Heart (duet Kiki Dee) (1976); Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (1976); Part Time Love (1978); Song For Guy (1978); Mamma Can't Buy You Love (1979); Little Jeannie (1980); Sartorial Eloquence (1980); Just Like Belgium (1981); Chloe (1981); Blue Eyes (1982); Empty Garden (1982); Princess (1982); I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues (1983); I'm Still Standing (1983); Cold As Christmas (1983); Sad Songs Say So Much (1984); Who Wears These Shoes (1984); In Neon (1984); Nikita (1985); That's What Friends Are For (Dionne Warwick & Friends) (1985); Heartache All Over The World (1986); Slow Rivers (1986); Flames Of Paradise (Jennifer Rush) (1987); Candle In The Wind (live) (1987); I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That (1988); Through The Storm (Aretha Franklin) (1989); Healing Hands (1989); Sacrifice (1989); Club At The End Of The Street (1989); You Gotta Love Someone (1990); Easier To Walk Away (1990); Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (with George Michael) (1991); The One (1992); The Last Song (1992); True Love (duet with Kiki Dee) (1993); Can You Feel The Love Tonight (1994); Circle Of Live (1994); Believe (1995); Made In England (1995); Blessed (1995); Something About The Way You Look Tonight (1997); Recover Your Soul (1997); Written In The Stars (1999); Some Day Out Of the Blue (2000); Friends Never Say Goodbye (2000); I Want Love (2001); This Train Don't Stop There Anymore (2001); Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (feat Blue) (2002); All That I'm Allowed (2004); The Bridge (2006); Tinder Box (2006). Close to 70 songs!!!!! It’s the melodies that catch me, his voice, his fashion (in the eighties)

Fantastic. What was it like seeing Elton for the first time and how many concerts have you been? And also, have you got Elton's autograph at a show? Or have you got a guitar pick from Davey or a drum stick from Nigel or John?
I have seen Elton 12 times in concert now:

1st - Feb 1993 Auckland New Zealand (The One Tour)
2nd - Mar 1998 Auckland NZ (Face 2 Face with Billy Joel)
3rd - Mar 1998 Auckland NZ (Face 2 Face with Billy Joel)
4th - Mar 1998 Sydney Australia (Face 2 Face)
5th - Mar 1998 Sydney Australia (Face 2 Face)
6th - Apr 2002 Sydney Australia
7th - Apr 2002 Sydney Australia
8th - Dec 2002 Royal Opera House London U.K (Dream Ticket)
9th - Dec 2002 Wembley Arena, London U.K
10th - Nov 2006 Brisbane Australia (Captain & The Kid Tour)
11th – Nov 2007 Gold Coast Australia (Solo Tour)
12th – Dec 2007 Hunter Valley NSW (Solo Tour)

I still think my fist concert was the best; I was 18 and went up with 3 friends I went to school with. I had the 1992 Barcelona concert on VHS, which I had purchased some month’s prior and thrashed, I love the way the song sounded so much like the original.

We were very lucky with the setlist Elton played in NZ in 1993. We got all the songs as seen on the Barcelona concert on VHS plus….. Candle In The Wind; Healing Hands;
Stones Through From Hurtin'; Whitewash County; Rocket Man; I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That.

I only got my Elton John Autograph for the first time on this latest solo tour. I went to 2 shows and got items signed both times!!!!!!

Great. Which is your Elton’s item that you really appreciate, for being hard to get or for the happiness you’ve got to have it?

Well in 2002 when I went to London for 3month holiday I got to go to Elon’s Out Of The Closet clothes sale. I didn’t have thousands to spend plus my sizing is a bit larger than Elton’s but I purchased pair of Black Italian leather shoes with sequins around the ankle for 175pounds and a Versace Vest 125 pounds, its black and white, and I thought I recognized it form the 1995 Academy Awards performance. Later when I checked on the Tantrums & Tairas video I saw that it was different design.

Finally, could you tell me your five favourite Elton’s songs in running order, for my AllSongsList?
I find it hard to list songs as I love so many. Sacrifice was the song that got me hooked and the album Sleeping With The Past.

Thank you Darren, really a pleasure to chat with you. You really full covered my expectations. Take care.
Oh and im Gay and was an only child for the first 6 &3/4 of my life, so I feel a connection with Elton the person.