Captain Fantastic & His Fans

When I saw Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour was passing through, I skipped coyness and just . . . informed my parents we were going :). John’s last hurrah will end in 2023. This was my chance to see one of my favorite artists with the people who raised me on his music.

A couple of weeks ago, the time arrived. I hadn’t been to a concert this size since I was a teenager and wasn’t sure what to expect.

Spoiler alert: it was more than entertaining. It was downright spiritual.

Captain Fantastic

My mom had made it clear we were dressing up in our Elton John best for the concert. After scanning several “Elton John costumes” listicles, we had some recurring themes.

• Stars

• Ermine

• Big glasses

• Feathers

• Suitcoats

• Platform shoes

• Chest hair

• Single earring

• Headwear

We looked at costumes I now realize are iconic: The white bomber jacket with feathers on the shoulders. The crystal-covered baseball uniform John wore at a Dodger’s Stadium concert in 1976. The mint-green suit and vest + suitcoat covered in gold stars + rainbow star glasses + bowler hat ensemble John wore to receive his Hollywood Star.

The . . . Donald Duck costume . . . ? Anyway . . .

I have a confession. The costumes’ outlandishness surprised me. I mean, I’d known about the big glasses, but I grew up listening to John’s music, not watching him perform. Some of my favorite Elton John songs are the earnest or bittersweet ones. After seeing these pictures, I had a question.

Why?

As my dad read John’s biography to us during dinner, I started connecting the dots.

On one level, Elton John’s costumes are a mode of self-expression. He was born Reginald Dwight and as a child lived under the thumb of a controlling father.

He also experienced turmoil over his sexual orientation, breaking up with his female fiancé just before their wedding and attempting suicide. Only later did he find love and family with his husband and sons.

The name-change, the clothes were a way of breaking free and finding himself.

The style icon has also explained that his costumes are practical. As a young artist the glasses hid his “extreme shyness.” Also, “I sat at a piano,” he recently told Vogue. “I don’t move around the stage. I’ve got to attract attention somehow.” He continued, “When you put your costume on, you’re ready to perform. I couldn’t ever really come onstage and look normal.”

At this point, I felt I understood the star better. I was more excited than ever to see him in person.

His Fans

With our Pinterest board populated, my mom and I popped off to the thrift store. For Dad we bought a tuxedo shirt, a silver vest, and some shiny Florsheims. Mom found a fabulous gold sequined dress.

Despite my sequin-aversion, Mom convinced to try on a mini-skirt, jumpsuit, and tank tops covered in them. Then I spotted a pair of black, high-rise, sequined trainers. That I could do.

I was glad we’d made an effort with our clothes as soon as we arrived at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. There were lots of boas, oversized glasses, and, yes, sequins. We saw a man who’d gone next-level and made his own feather headdress as an homage to the “giant chicken outfit” Elton John wore on The Muppet Show in the 70s. My favorite ensemble was a sequined rainbow duster paired with glasses and jeans.

One couple wore replicas of Elton’s Dodger Stadium look. My mom desperately wanted a pic with them. She offered to pay them for the privilege, but they said, “Oh, nooooo! We just did this for fun!”

We were standing in the merch line when a roar arose. Sir Elton John didn’t need an opener; the fans and the hype were already there.

Communion

We heard so many hits that night—“Rocket Man,” “Candle in the Wind,” “Bennie and the Jets,” “Honky Cat,” “I Guess That’s Why they Call it the Blues.” John and his band played with impressive energy. It was a good time singing, clapping, and watching the jumbotron.

I began to notice how thoroughly Elton John’s values and legacy infused the whole show. The video alongside “The Bitch is Back” followed a bunch of poolside drag queens fighting, a humorous homage to the LGBTQA+ community. John performed two songs in collaboration with Britney Spears’ and Dua Lipa’s prerecorded vocals, showcasing his mentorship of younger stars. A slideshow of video and stills shined a spotlight on his amazing career during “I’m Still Standing.”

The first song that brought me to tears, though, weirdly, was “Crocodile Rock.” Before the show I learned that John doesn’t care for it. I immediately started laughing during the opening bars when John told us the song was “dedicated to his fans.” While we “Naaaaaaaah na na na na naaaaaaah’d” to our hearts’ content the jumbotrons showed said fans dancing in fantastic Elton John-inspired costumes. How sweet, John’s humble tribute to the people who love him, despite his own preferences.

After the longest, funniest standing ovation of my life (John and his band walked off the stage, the lights shut off, and the cleaning crew started sweeping before they responded to our guttural shouts for more)—Sir Elton reemerged, dressed in a gorgeous green robe.

At this point, the mood got more intimate. It was as if John was getting ready for bed, maybe even the big sleep. At last he favored us with “Your Song.” My mom, dad, and I put our arms around each other. We swayed and sang along with tens of thousands of strangers united by the years we’ve spent with this music.

After the unparalleled “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” Elton John shed his robe to reveal a tracksuit with “Fantastic” besequinned on the back. As he walked offstage for the last time, the main screen showed an image of John walking down the Yellow Brick Road wearing the same outfit. More tears came for me then. The entire show was a joyful celebration and a poignant farewell.

Since then I’ve worn the sequined shoes several times. They’re a reminder to “Shine the light, shine the light,” and inspire others to do the same—much like Sir Elton Hercules John.