From the archives of

::: COMMUNITY NEWS

(July 2) He had them at hello. From kids to seniors, more than 1,000 people sang, danced and cheered Joel Mason's "Tribute to Elton John" at Lake Clementia Amphitheater Saturday night. From the opening chords of "Crocodile Rock" through all of the hits, Mason looked like, played like, and sang like Elton John in his ‘70s prime. Backed by virtuoso musicians on sax, flute, drums, guitar and keyboard, Mason poked gentle fun at nostalgia and ‘70s conventions, declaring almost every number "my favorite of all time." The show was the second of the season offered by the Entertainment, Theatre and Culture group.

Joel Mason's tribute to Elton John featured a string of John's hit songs, ranging from "The Bitch is Back," "Tiny Dancer," "Daniel," "Rocket Man," "Yellow Brick Road" and "Bennie and the Jets" (which segued into "Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting)."

The finale of Saturday night's Elton John Tribute had the crowd up and dancing at the stage.

Elton John tribute is a crowd pleaser

Published Saturday, July 2, 2005

Front row from left, Chris Davis, Gina Jones and Bob Davis. Second row from left: Ashlye Shields, Teresa Creech and Joey Shields. At the rear is Phil Creech.

From left, Chloe Carrillo, Chelsea Barsanti, Makenzie Newman and Rachel Beck.

Michael and Barbara Jones. He's one of the founders of ETC, visiting from his new home in Oregon.

Cloie, left, and Emmie Smith, with their mother, Stacie Smith, and Les Lockrem.

Debbie and Jim Noller. Before his retirement last year, Jim Noller was the community's security chief.

From left, Brenda Baranzelli, Barry and Pat Goukler and John Baranzelli.

Neil Watson hauls a picnic basket.

The Tevenan family (guests of Vicky and Bob Fagan): Children, from left, Shannon, Patrick, Colin and Connor. Supervising are mom Lisa and dad Marc.

Roanne Vef, left, and Ruth Mori kept the sun away with umbrellas.