Welcome Eltonites,
this is a new edition of the Committee Of Experts.
Today the comittee has a very special guest. With six albums and five world tours, our man was Elton John's drummer for thirteen years. We could also find performances of him with Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, Cher and the Moody Blues, to name a few. With over 150 album credits he has appeared on numerous international TV shows and movie soundtracks. You know we're talking about the greatest: Charlie Morgan!!! Charlie is one of the great musicians they had been as members of Elton's band and he's one of the most remembered. He's such a great guy, always kind with us, and we adore him so much. So this time, the committee is dedicated to him. The pretention is to make a “virtual” meeting together chatting with him, as a musician, as a former band member. So experts, thanks for being here, let's start, please. And what do you like most about Charlie?"The skills as a musician",
starts Sophiah Ko’i’kas,
from Detroit, MI, a new member of the committee, thanks for coming. "The way he plays his drums. Charlie is a fantastic drummer. He plays the drums with energy and very well. He has a good humor. He played in Rio de Janeiro in 1995 and I love the sound of the way he played. I danced a lot",
is adding Leila A. Santiago,
from Brazil. Obviously we haven't met him, on a personal level, but Kimberlee Kemble,
from Boca Raton, FL, has it clear: "What I've read about Charlie, he seems like a down-to-earth guy",
while Vera Rio,
from Brazil, is agree: "Charlie seems like a nice guy and accessible to his admirers. This will make unforgettable his passage as a musician of Elton John".
Ahhh that's it! No one could say it better. "With all of his success and all the people he's worked with, he still calls himself a "freelance rock drummer." How refreshing!".
Yes, Kimberlee: "And I must also say I like his sense of humor - his posts are hilarious!"
Hahaha, definetely, he's sense of humour is well known.
But hey, experts, how do you value Charlie's work with Elton, while he was on the band? Kimberlee? "My favorite Elton John song that Charlie Morgan played drums on is a tie... Heavy Traffic (from Reg Strikes Back) and Paris (from Leather Jackets). Very different musically, but that just shows Charlie's range". Vera? "I believe that one of his best work was on "Reg Strikes Back" (1988). I particularly like: "Town of Plenty","Word in Spanish" and "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters".
Experts, this time we have another member of the committee, he hosts Two Rooms Radio Show,
a reference for Eltonites too. Mr. David Sigler,
please, your turn: "I first became aware of Charlie's drumming on Nik Kershaw's album, The Riddle and was thrilled when he joined Elton's band in 1985. I think he represented a new style for Elton then and certainly served him well over the years. I like Charlie's straight forward, hard hitting style - songs like This Town, Goodbye Marlon Brando. But ballads always carried great timing such as Believe and Live Like Horses".
Thank you."I've seen some videos from youtube though where he has played drums in Elton's band, and he obviously is a great drummer"
explains Antti Honkasalo,
an Eltonite who hasn't been an Elton fan for so long, but he's one of the most passionate fans. "During the 12 years he was in the band, Charlie had impressed his beat in Elton's songs. It was not easy because he was succeeding the longtime Elton's friend, the talented Nigel Olsson (who was removed as the drummer of the band during this period, making only a few featured on some albums of Elton). Charlie did very well, earned his place inside the Band and in the heart of the Eltonites",
you have reason Vera Rio. "The drummer carries the beat of every song... very important"
is adding Sophiah.
What surprised you most, Kimberlee? "I really like Charlie's versatility. I was familiar with what he's done with Elton - and that shows his immense talent and range - but when I visited his web site (Manicdrums) and viewed his discography, WOW! I had no idea of the volume and diversity of his portfolio".
Absolutely true. "As a top session drummer he played in so many styles over the years with a wide variety of artists. With that in mind, Charlie was more than well qualified to play in the Elton John band. As Elton's music has so many styles to makeup. Not to mention that at the end of the day he is a savagely good drummer!!"
thanks for coming Paul Purcell,
from Ireland, what else? "He stayed true to the sound on the records when playing live with Elton, which for me is very important. While at the same time putting his own stamp on it, which for any artist is important. On the albums he played on, he had a strong, punchy sound. You were never in any doubt that he was putting 150% effort into what he was doing! For me personally, he plays on possibly my favourite Elton/Bernie song of all time, Believe. So for that alone, his place will always be cherished by this Eltonite".
Well, let's welcome our guest: hello Charlie Morgan,
an honour you could be here with us. Let me explain what the comittee of experts is about. Yes, this blogsite is nothing without Eltonites, me and Rabbit know. So, we're so priviledged to count with some Eltonites from around the world discussing about things related to Elton. I know it's impossible to have everyone here, and a lot of people deserved to be here. For this, in every question I am trying to have new people, new countries, and everything. So, people!!! Let's begin about our questions for Charlie. Who's gonna start????Leila Avelar Santiago, for example: Charlie, what do you tell us about your work since you begin to play? How do you choose to play drums? And do you know to play other instrument? Thanks Leila, Brian Gold, from New York, US also is interested in such particular.I actually started learning descant recorder when I was about 8, then piano at the age of 10. When I was 11, my family moved to Geneva, Switzerland, and I became friends with a group of kids that had a band. I used to hang out in the basement of one of the boys, and he had a drum kit. I sat down at the kit, and within an hour was able to play a basic rhythm. He told me I had a “natural feel” for drums. When I was 14, we moved back to England. A school friend phoned me one day and said he was putting a band together. He asked if I knew anyone at school that played drums, I said: “Ill do it!” The rest is history!
Thank you. Kimberlee Kemble: Do you have a drumming mentor/idol?I have many mentor/idols: Ringo was my first hero. I discovered Heavy Rock, and listened to Ian Paice (Deep Purple) and John Bonham! I love the way Steve Gadd plays all styles. I always loved Jeff Porcaro's playing, too. I am also a big fan of Nigel Olsson - he changed the way drummers approached Rock/Pop music. His contribution is not to be under-estimated.
Antti Honkasalo, your turn: What kind of special techniques does you have in your drumming style, what kind of drum set you prefer to use?I have always thought of my self as more a “feel” drummer than a “technique” drummer. I do have trouble with more technical styles of drumming. Nigel and I are similar in that way. But I have developed a technique over the years, especially with more practice as I get older!
David Sigler: How did you handle stepping into the shoes of Nigel Olsson in 1985 and did you feel awkward about that knowing fans devotion to Nigel?When I first met Elton, it was on the sessions for “Ice on Fire” and I wasn’t aware that it was for anything other than studio sessions. By that time I was one of the top session drummers in the UK, and so I was used to getting phone calls from many top artists. But later, when Elton asked me to play Live Aid, I must admit I was more than a little bit nervous about filling Nigel’s shoes!
Antti Honkasalo, yes you could ask: I'd like to know how different are you when compared to other drummers that have been in the Elton John band. What are your strengths, what are your weaknesses (if you had any)?Very difficult question! All I can answer is from my OWN perspective: I always tried to listen to what Elton was playing (and singing) and complement it to the best of my ability. I think it’s important to concentrate on showcasing Elton’s incredible talent, and less on showing off your own!
Mark Schmidt, from Wisconsin, US: What Elton songs do you think best showcase your style and are most proud of?Ah! Well, I always loved playing “Burn Down the Mission” and “Funeral/Love Lies Bleeding” - I think these two songs are definitely the best “drummer” songs. But there are so many of Elton’s songs I loved playing. “Believe” for instance, is also a personal favourite of mine, and “If the River can Bend”
Kimberlee: What is your favorite Elton John song to play on (either one he recorded in studio or playing live)?Impossible to say! I think I part-answered this on the question above! But I will tell you there was nothing quite like the first session I did with Elton. We recorded “Cry to Heaven” that day. What a magic moment!
Sure! Paul Purcell, you're ready: When you were recording with Elton, what was the hardest track you had to put a drum line down to, from a musical or technical point of view?When we recorded “Paris” in Holland (1986). We did this as a complete rhythm section: even Jody Linscott was there. This song was unusual, because we had been playing it for a while on stage (before it was cut), and Elton was insistent about doing it as a “full band.”
Jim Oksen, from Arizona, US, your turn: How you liked working with Paul Buckmaster on Made In England sessions, compared to some of the other albums you collaborated? I really enjoy Buckmasters work and wondered how maybe Buckmaster influenced you on Made In England.Paul became, and is still, one of my good friends. I love his genius. His orchestrations and arrangements have changed the way people used classical instruments in Popular music. He and George Martin (who I’ve also worked with) were the pioneers in that area. Paul worked so hard on complimenting what I had played on the drums. I noticed he used drum fills as rhythmic points for his arrangements. What a genius!
Kimberlee, please: What surprised you the most about Elton?His passion for Motor Racing (as you might know, I have been a huge fan of Motor Sport, and also raced cars for 25 years). He and I could talk about Racing for days on end!
Vera Rio, this is your turn: In a huge schedule like the Elton's schedule with very little time between the shows, countries that succeed in short time,the musicians can know something about the cities where they are playing? You get some information before arriving in the places? Some cities stayed in your memory in a special way?It is very hard for al the cities NOT to blend into one when you are spending, at most, a day or two in each place. but there are some cities that are special: Barcelona, Madrid, Milano, Sydney, London (of course).
Here's Sophiah Ko'i'kas: What’s the funniest thing that happened on stage with Elton? Dagmazyca Lakomy, from Poland, is also interested. I am sure there's plenty of anecdotes to share while playing live. Someone told me there's a longest song-ending in Elton's band history and you were involved. Charlie, What's the story?
In 1990, I came back to the band to tour Australia & New Zealand (I got a call while I was in Paris, playing a show at the Olympia. I drove back to London, packed my bags and got on a plane to Perth!!). My drum riser was quite narrow on that tour. My drum stool was normally less than 10cm from the back of the riser, and there were steps at the back for me to climb up.
When we played "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" I used to stand up at the end, to hit the cymbals, then sit down for the final big end. One night, I stood up and my stool fell down the back of the riser. Before my drum-tech could warn me, I tried to sit back down - into thin air! Lucky I rolled down the stairs backwards, finding myself at the bottom of the riser. In the meantime, Davey, Elton, Guy and everyone were still playing the end chord, waiting for me to cut them off with the big crash. They looked up at my drum kit and it was empty! Elton was looking around, confused, still playing the end-chord!!! "Where's Charlie?"
In the end, my drum tech picked me up, gave me a pair of drumsticks, and I climbed back up the steps, throwing my sticks at the cymbals to try and end the song. Elton couldn't stop laughing for several songs. And it took a few days for the jokes to stop!
Another question? Kimberlee: Do you think you'll record or tour again with Elton?Who knows? I’d love to have the opportunity.
Oh, I would love to. What do you think of today’s music, Charlie? Which new talents would you like to present?I love the more genuine artists. The performers that don’t have to rely on Lights & smoke to make their performance seem better: Adele, Amy Winehouse (poor girl), and of course all the “old school” performers I grew up listening to! It’s all about the music for me.
Charlie, I really love your website http://www.manicdrumsproductions.com/, now rebuilded, specially the studio blog. What could you remark about this site?I rebuilt this site to attract more customers to my “on-line sessions” business. I do a lot of drum tracking for people all over the world, now.... all from my studio here in Nashville, Tennessee.
And could you explain a little bit about your future projects, please, Charlie?I am actually looking around for a regular live project to be involved with, but I am also spending a lot of time promoting the on-line session business. it seems this is the way of the future: doing drum tracks for people in countries all over the world, from the comfort of my own house! But I would also love to do another top-level world tour!
Oh, once you said: “It's possible that dreams can be built on promises. But real life needs to be built of sterner stuff”. Why is that really so?Well, dreaming of great things is important, but there comes a point when you have to actually get up and DO what you dream. It is important for people to follow their dreams. So many of us are frightened of failure: so much so that they keep dreaming without acting on it. Fear of failure is probably the single biggest factor in preventing people from doing things.
Well, that's the end of the committee of today. We will have question number 8 very soon, so be ready experts!!! Charlie, it was an incredible experience to be with you, thanks for sharin' your time with us, again, you're a superb artist and best human being. Thanks to the experts this time you came here. I would like to apologize if I missed someone, it was not my intention to do, in case I did. Charlie, we prepared this question number 7 at Xmas time, and I asked my experts to send their wishes to you. The wishes of a happy Xmas and happy new year for you and your family succeed. I would like to finish with what Brian Gold sent for you: "Keep making new dreams, and keep making them come true!". So, as Vera Rio said: We wish you a 2012 with health, success and lots of joy! Oh, Dagmazyca Lakomy,
you could close the committee of today with your wish? "I wish you a bear hug from Elton ;)"* Jack Rabbit would specially thank to two dearests friends: Sophiah Ko'i'kas and Melanie Vandegrift. Without them this couldn't have been possible. Thanks by heart, ladies, I love you so much.Pictures courtesy of Charlie Morgan
United States
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It had been a week since I’d met Ben Babylon. First reminds of that experience, are in Fred Anderson’s car, going back to the hotel. A tear round on my face and fell in my knees. It was sad someway to leave. What I had lived that day was an experience hard to explain in a few words, mostly because it was very emotional. I have to go to Miquel’s notebook in order to relate his feelings about that big date. He usually writes down his experience while travelling, pages and more pages explaining his memories about what he’s living. So, let’s start from there. 
After dinner, one could be a priviledged person when you have Ben Babylon solo at the piano, for the most thrilling jam session one could expect. He explained me how much Elton and Ben Folds influenced him as a musician. And that’s really is. He starts with his own songs, before paying an amazing rendition of “Rocket Man” and “Take Me To The Pilot” on the piano. If Elton’s had his quote, Ben Folds too, when he goes to “Fred Jones”, the touching story about a man’s retiring of his job. He kindly agree to perform a superb medley between “Dreams For Sale” and “No Goodbyes On The Road”. Both songs, specially the title track, have potential enough to make a big thing. I remember it was the time when this words came to mind: “He’s special, he will do it, he has it all for success”. It was a sensation, but seeing this kid to play piano and the way he does it, you have all the feelings that it could be a possible reality. I had the same feelings as when I saw Elton on piano solo for first time: with the Band I love it, but solo, sitting on an old piano, is when the artist explodes and explores the best of his being. It’s exciting to see how much Ben loves music. Music is a part of his world. He lives for music, and music embraces him to gives his best. It’s a divine partnership, a force of the nature. And Ben has the talent enough to give music his best creations, while music could keep a place for him among his top star musicians. 
Hi Eltonites, welcome to the Eltonites Day. I like this kind of interviews, I must admit. Interviewing an eltonite is very grateful for me: their thoghts, their experiences. Today I have the chance to have one of the kind. She is a wonderful human being first and foremost. And of course a top class Eltonite!! So please, stand up to receive the greatest Jennifer Sundstrom!!! 
I first saw Elton perform live at the Red Piano show in LasVegas on March 31, 2008, and have been hooked ever since. However, this was something that almost never happened! My brother, sister-in-law and I had planned a short trip to Las Vegas months earlier, but didn’t have a specific agenda. About 2 weeks before we went, I was flipping through channels on the television and happened upon a rerun of Larry King interviewing Elton. In the interview Elton mentioned the Red Piano show. So after hearing this I checked online and found that he would be performing while we were out there, and we were lucky enough to get tickets. I came down with the flu an hour before my flight took off, but soldiered on. I was so miserable the entire time I was there except of course for the show. So, it almost never was. It must have been fate. I’ve now been to a total of 17 shows in 8 different states and 3 different countries over the past 4 years and have 5 more lined up as we speak. I’ll be seeing him next in Madison, WI, on March 22. Some good friends and I are seeing him solo in April and then Jody and I are going back overseas this summer and will see Elton 3 times in England. I’m so excited!
I don’t think any members of the band are replaceable, as each one is so different and extremely talented. Elton’s had several different lineups and all have had their strengths. Nobody can be replaced, but roles can be filled. I love the current lineup so much that I wouldn’t want to see any of them go. With the exception of the unfortunate and sad passing of Guy Babylon, the band has remained in tact since I’ve started seeing live shows and I’m thankful for that. I was lucky to see Guy perform live a few times and he is missed by many others and by me. Kim Bullard is doing an excellent job in the position Guy left. The addition of the girls and the 2Cellos has been very cool and exciting!
I have several Elton items that are special to me. The top three are: 1.) my "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" yellow vinyl LP that Elton signed for me at my very first regular band show in Lubbock, Texas, 2.) my poster of Elton and Leon Russell from the Beacon Theatre debut of "The Union", which I have since had signed by Elton in Philadelphia on his birthday last year and by Leon in Milwaukee, WI, this past summer, and 3.) a personalized signed photo of him.
Last June, Jody Towles and I went overseas for the very first time. We traveled to both Ireland and England. We had such a wonderful time. We saw Elton and the band in Cork, Ireland, along with some very special people, fellow Eltonites: Paul, Kilian, Mary and Aine. They were so great to us and we will never forget the experience. The show in Cork was very different than in the US in that it was under a big circus tent, basically, and we were all packed on the floor like sardines for the entire show. Of course, all of us were right up front. The crowd was great! That was the show where something went wrong with Elton’s piano the very first note he played. We ended up hearing the intro to Funeral For a Friend three times by the time the issue was finally corrected! It was a great show! In England, we saw Leon Russell on his own with his band and got to meet him after the show! He was so nice and so appreciative of us and of Elton.
A schoolmaster from England, Rowland Hill invented the adhesive postage stamp in 1837, an act for which he was knighted. The result, called the Penny Black, was engraved the profile of Queen Victoria's head, and remained on all British stamps for the next sixty years. Before the Penny Black stamp ever existed, payment had to be taken in cash for every article to be posted and that had to be done in person at the post office. Hill's stamps made the prepayment of mail postage possible and practical. The first United States general issue postage stamps, stamps for distribution throughout the country, were prepared under authorization of the Congressional Act of March 3, 1847. Postmaster General Cave Johnson initially instructed the firm to use a portrait of recently deceased President Andrew Jackson on the 5-cent stamp and George Washington on the 10-cent denomination. Since then, many stamps have been issued around the world. Some of the most popular types have included sports figures, cartoons, national landmarks, nature images and, of course, celebrities: like Elton. A number of illegal stamps featuring Elton John are in circulation printed by private firms without the knowledge of the postal authorities of the countries concerned. Here's is a selection what Jack Rabbit found on every corner of the world.
Grenada issued a set of eight $1 stamps featuring rock, pop and reggae stars Tina Turner, Lionel Ritchie, Whitney Houston, Joan Armatrading, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Marley, all of whom have had more longevity than is usual in the ever-evolving world of music.
The Tanzanian "Rock And Roll History" sheetlet collection countaining 9 value unmounted mint with music celebrities like Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes, Buddy Holly, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson and Elton, covering all periods of rock between 50s to nowadays. 
Elton John in concert on 6 postage stamps - from Udmurtia, a Russian republic located in European Russia about 1300km east of Moscow and west of the Ural mountains. 
Stamp printed in Turkmenistan shows USA stars Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, Madonna, Mike Myers, Chris Isaak, Michael Jackson, Elton John. As long as Jean Claude Van Damme, Bill Gates, Fidel Castro, Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In February 2002 Australia Post released a SES sheetlet and CD pack with 4 songs from recent album, Songs From The West Coast, to commemorate Elton John’s ‘A Journey Through Time’ tour. Gift Pack included 10 Elton Personalized stamps. This special pack was sold in a specially designed flowwrapped cover/folder.
'Rock Legends: Elton John' pertaining to be from the Republic of Somalia. The stamp features Elton wearing his 1986 world tour outfits, although there's another version of sheetlet containing set of 4 values unmounted mint. These "stamps" is counterfeit, not valid for posting and has no investment value. Other celebrities are on the collection like David Bowie, Prince, or Michael Jackson, among others, as part of their Rock Legends series.
A fantastic sheet of 9 Mint Stamps to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 50th or Golden Jubilee, features Elton John, Prince William and Prince Andrew, Soccer Stars like David Beckham, the Beatles, the Royal Ship and more. They were released on Congo or Tadjikistan.
Released in Malta, celebrating Elton's open-air concert in Floriana, Maltapost, as one of the sponsors, has been promoting a personalised souvenir sheet featuring four images of the entertainer, views of him as a young man and in some of his most memorable looks. It has no philatelic or postal worth, except an authentic Malta stamp valued at Lm1.50 reproducing the view of the Marsamxett side of Valletta from the Frama label set. 
Printed in Austria, the stamp joined Elton and Lady Diana. Sir Elton John performed at the annual Life Ball in Vienna, late May 15, 2004 and was back in June, again in Wien.
Rock Stars like Elton John, Eric Clapton, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Jean Michael Love and more were released in Komi Republic, Russia, on a 8 Mint Stamps. They were not valid for postage, but they were extremely popular because of their lively and colorful designs.
Sheet of 9 stamps, issued by Djibouti in 2011, displaying famous music stars. Featured celebrities shown include English rock singer-songwriter & pianist Elton John, British pop rock musician George Michael, English musicians from The Beatles John Lennon & Paul McCartney, English vocalist & lyricist Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, lead rock vocalist from the Rolling Stones band Mick Jagger, Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox, English glam rock musician David Bowie, and English progressive rock lead singer from the band Genesis, Peter Gabriel.
Another sheet of 6 stamps, issued this time by Guinea in 2011, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the birth of Princess Diana. Also featured on the sheet shown include Prince William, Prince Harry, Charles, Prince of Wales, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and Grammy Award-winning English singer & pianist Sir Elton John.
Welcome Eltonites, this is a new edition of the Committee Of Experts. Today the comittee has a very special guest. With six albums and five world tours, our man was Elton John's drummer for thirteen years. We could also find performances of him with Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, Cher and the Moody Blues, to name a few. With over 150 album credits he has appeared on numerous international TV shows and movie soundtracks. You know we're talking about the greatest: Charlie Morgan!!! Charlie is one of the great musicians they had been as members of Elton's band and he's one of the most remembered. He's such a great guy, always kind with us, and we adore him so much. So this time, the committee is dedicated to him. The pretention is to make a “virtual” meeting together chatting with him, as a musician, as a former band member. So experts, thanks for being here, let's start, please. And what do you like most about Charlie?
But hey, experts, how do you value Charlie's work with Elton, while he was on the band? Kimberlee? "My favorite Elton John song that Charlie Morgan played drums on is a tie... Heavy Traffic (from Reg Strikes Back) and Paris (from Leather Jackets). Very different musically, but that just shows Charlie's range". Vera? "I believe that one of his best work was on "Reg Strikes Back" (1988). I particularly like: "Town of Plenty","Word in Spanish" and "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters". Experts, this time we have another member of the committee, he hosts Two Rooms Radio Show, a reference for Eltonites too. Mr. David Sigler, please, your turn: "I first became aware of Charlie's drumming on Nik Kershaw's album, The Riddle and was thrilled when he joined Elton's band in 1985. I think he represented a new style for Elton then and certainly served him well over the years. I like Charlie's straight forward, hard hitting style - songs like This Town, Goodbye Marlon Brando. But ballads always carried great timing such as Believe and Live Like Horses". Thank you.
Well, let's welcome our guest: hello Charlie Morgan, an honour you could be here with us. Let me explain what the comittee of experts is about. Yes, this blogsite is nothing without Eltonites, me and Rabbit know. So, we're so priviledged to count with some Eltonites from around the world discussing about things related to Elton. I know it's impossible to have everyone here, and a lot of people deserved to be here. For this, in every question I am trying to have new people, new countries, and everything. So, people!!! Let's begin about our questions for Charlie. Who's gonna start????
In 1990, I came back to the band to tour Australia & New Zealand (I got a call while I was in Paris, playing a show at the Olympia. I drove back to London, packed my bags and got on a plane to Perth!!). My drum riser was quite narrow on that tour. My drum stool was normally less than 10cm from the back of the riser, and there were steps at the back for me to climb up.
Fantastico! Incredibile! Some people seems touched by God! He decided to pay homage to his idol singing his songs, playing the piano like him, dressing as close as him. A live tribute to Elton. "The magic of Bernie's and Elton's works takes place every time I get the stage whispering such words like "It's a little bit funny.." or "Hold me closer tiny dancer"", he likes to explain; "in that instant the magic explodes". The magic explodes today too. He is ready to deliver an extraordinary performance with a percussionist. So, Eltonites, first, welcome to 2012 AllSongsList year. Just I thought I had to invite someone very special for this ocasion. So please, a standing ovation for this talented boy: Giuseppe Franco, "Mansfield"!!!! 
The first time I saw Elton in concert was in 2000, “An evening with Elton John solo” in Brescia, June 20th. He wore a yellow suit and I remember perfectly the feelings of that evening. I cried during “The greatest discovery”. I couldn’t believe to be in front of my idol. And I got my first (of six) autographs after Crocodile Rock. As Elton sings in the “Union”, “A dream come true”.
Yes I really like playing other artists like Clapton, Lou Reed, Beatles, Pink Floyd. I even played “Will you still love me tomorrow” in one of my latest concert (not tribute show). I obviously decided to become an Elton tribute artist just to pay homage to Elton and because I’m very good at this. All of my friends told me my voice sounds like Elton’s voice of the first 70s.
I had a lyricist, in London, who used to send me the lyrics by mail. I found it very easy to put music on the lyrics. But when I write my own song I don’t follow a sequence. I write the music and the lyric at the same time. I know it’s probably wrong and not professional but I follow my sensations.
Oh my God, what I difficult question! I will try !
