Superstar Elton John to perform in Fairbanks
Published Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Digg
delicious
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!The Rocket Man is headed to Fairbanks.
Sir Elton John will perform at the Carlson Center on May 29, according to Joe Wooden, the regional general manager for SMG of Alaska, which manages the venue. The pop superstar — who boasts more than 200 million in album sales, membership in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame and knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II — is making his debut in Alaska.
With a career that spans nearly 40 years, John is famous for his flamboyant style, piano prowess and songs like “Rocket Man,” “Daniel” and the best-selling single in history, “Candle In the Wind.”
Wooden said he expects the show to sell out in a matter of hours. “This is by far the biggest concert that I can ever remember coming to Alaska,” he said.
Carlson Center box office manager Kristin Baysinger said Alaska is benefiting from a stopover that John is making following a concert in Hong Kong. He’ll perform on consecutive nights in Anchorage and Fairbanks before continuing to Las Vegas.
Baysinger said specific details of the concert are still being worked out, but she expects at least eight sections will be opened on the Carlson Center floor, using a configuration the arena has never used before. The venue will do its best to maximize space while maintaining good sight lines, she said, with an expected capacity of about 6,500 seats.
“Basically, we will have every seat available that we can get,” Baysinger said.
Ticket prices for the event are set at $115 and $75, not including fees. Tickets for the event go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, and will be available at Fred Meyer Ticketmaster outlets, the Carlson Center box office, 456-4800, and www.ticketmaster.com.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
Just saying. that is way toooo much money to GO and watch SOMEONE..sing. a song!
just OUTRAGOUS!!!!
Sounds like a heck of a deal. $115 to see the a middle aged prima donna sing a few songs in an acoustic nightmare of a venue, and tell us what crappy people Americans are. On second thought, I think I'll just go somewhere and drop a rock on my foot. Less painful.
Can we make the 29th a DOS?
ill have miss it cause going to vegas.
its a steep price but in vegas he charges 175.00. so 75.00 is not so bad for quality entertainment. heck i can spend 30 at the movies, 55.00 at the loon for comedy night etc....
NO DOUBT! $115 - $75 is nothing! You can bet I'll be trying to get tickets! WOW
I"ve never paid that much for concert tickets.
Maybe the Doobie Brothers can open?
I'm shocked and saddened about the responses some have made to the announcement of the Elton John concert. Good concerts in Fairbanks are so few and far between. I for one, would like to applaud the staff of the Carlson Center for being proactive and seeing an opportunity to host a musical superstar! I will gladly pay the higher price to see a "musical legend!"
very nice to see a high profile performer do a show here. not my type of music though.
I remember partying to EJ for years!! I will be in Galena when he comes, but would love to see him. He is one of the few concerts from that era that I have not seen. Thanks Carlson Center. The newsminer makes it sound like there have been no big shows in town....I remember Crosby, Stills, Nash and the Allman Bros back years ago, but it is true, we dont get many!
(This comment was removed by the Newsminer.com staff. Please see our User Agreement for further information.)
Um, phleghm, you needn't buy a ticket, then.
Some of you people will whine about anything. Too much? Don't go. Don't like the music? Don't go. Don't like his sexual orientation? Don't go. It's not rocket science.
imusuallyright.....your right I wont support this said example of a "man." But should we all stand back and let this clown promote his shameful fantasy of a life to the community? It is people that say," its just music, hes not hurting anyone," that has made the guy incredibly wealthy and enabled him to make his message of debauchery a worldwide massage! Shame on all the people who attend. Hope the place is empty when he shows up in a school girl uniform to sing...maybe then he may get the message that Alaskans are not going to bend over and listen to his crap and he should take it to places like the "city of sin," and get it out of Alaska!
JoeSmith...your right if WE dont like it WE shouldnt go....you wont have this same tone if your boy came home after the concert wearing a skirt and wearing makeup would you?
ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN DOLLARS???? WAY too much to listen to him....or any other performer sing.
I missed my chance to see Elton John in Vegas last year. I won't make the same mistake twice!!!
I won't be able to make it b/c I'll be out of town, but it is wonderful to have EJ come!
I hope everyone who gets a chance to go enjoys such a unique opportunity up here... and disregards the real freaks out there (like flemm).
What's wrong with boys wearing skirts and makeup?
Saw him opening night at the coliseum in Vegas a few years back and it was well worth the $$ (and MUCH more than what they plan to charge here). His show is fantastic as would be expected. I highly recommend going if you have the chance. I am taking my 14 y/o son and hey guess what....I don't think that watching Elton perform is going to make him come home wearing a skirt and make-up. That kind of thinking is just ignorance run amuck.
(This comment was removed by the Newsminer.com staff. Please see our User Agreement for further information.)
Casey--couldn't have said it better myself!! ;)
flemm:
I went to see Elton John (w/ Billy Joel) years ago and I came out of it intact and straight. I promise, going to see a homosexual man perform music will not make you a homosexual. It's not as if he simulates sex during Rocket Man or anything. Swear! lol
Anyone else-
For those interested - it's well worth the ticket price. He's an incredible performer and you won't be sorry. Especially considering the level of entertainer that he is - can't be often Fairbanks gets this kind of act!
Apparently he was on Larry King not too long ago and had expressed interest in playing the states he'd never been to - and he mentioned Alaska specifically.
What a great opportunity - for those who understand that "being yourself" isn't "promoting your lifestyle" or risking a massive "coming out" as hundreds of EJ concert-goers raise their arms, zombie-like, and go shopping for Prada loafers.
I'm happy EJ is coming to town. What a superstar, up there with some of the greatest musicians of all time. For all you homophobes: idiots like you need to get out of Fairbanks, you are what bring down this great city. Last time I checked, a homosexual man didn't commit violence against a homophobe, its usually you people doing that against them. Its disgusting and mean.
I'll buy a ticket for sure...and, I don't even listen to EJ, he is just a superstar. Great job Fairbanks and the Carlson Center!
I happen to be an educated, conservative, gun-owning redneck who listens to AM radio, not NPR, and I plan on attending the show. I don't agree with his lifestyle, but I enjoy his music. Casey,if you want to find me to join your uppity yuppie crowd who apparently thinks they are smarter than they really are, I will be in flannel and my logging boots; look for me. You really need to get off your high horse. See you at the show.
Wow, such angry people. And all for the sake of a washed up musician with a bad toupee.
Hey, if listening to Elton John makes you gay, did the same thing happen to all those Christians who spent years under the influence of Ted Haggard (President Bush included)?
Just wondering.
He is a very talented musical genius, I really love some of his songs.
I will pay $75.00 to watch him play.
Actually, I listen to a lot of Heavy Metal, but I can appreciate quality sophistication in classical music and Sir E.J.'s musical composition.
If anyone has studied music, he knows how to create a hook-it's been working before I was born!
See ya at the show!
(This comment was removed by the Newsminer.com staff. Please see our User Agreement for further information.)
(This comment was removed by the Newsminer.com staff. Please see our User Agreement for further information.)
I'm holding out for Billy Joel, or Alanis M.
I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but c'mon people. Some of the things posted here have been down right brutal. I'm not a huge fan of Elton John's, however I can appreciate good music as much as any "well-educated" person (education has nothing to do with it, get over yourself). Also, I agree, the concerts available to Fairbanks are few and far between. I always had to drive to Anchorage and spend A LOT more than $115 for the tickets, gas and lodging for some entertainment.
So good for Fairbanks! I hope everyone who gets a chance to see the show enjoys it - hope to see you there!
Casey, go back to San Fran. Funny how so many liberal thinkers claim to be so "open minded" but make blanket statements about people who disagree with them. Oh yes, and you sound so educated.
Blanket statements like he must be from San Fran?
LOL
T_A_C:
I wondered the same about the millions of viewers watching The Brady Bunch...
Amazing...no wonder Fairbanks is called "The Edge of Nowhere" with some of these idotic, short-sighted comments. I will be buying tickets, and it's your choice for those who don't wish to for whatever your reasons may be. I'm actually kind of glad that you won't be sitting next to me in the Carlson Center. Fairbanks, Alaska is literally the last place performers want to come to...but if the economics make sense then there is some flexibility. SMG (Carlson Center's Management Company) made the 2-night deal to get the most exposure for the performer in a short period of time...Anchorage the night before and Fairbanks...then onto his next gig Outside. I love the News-Miner's comment section for the most part...but based on the tone and your obvious displeasure with what transpires in the Golden Heart City, some of you should just pack up and move. That way the rest of us can enjoy what Farbanks has to offer without reading your ramblings. I guess you just like to read your comments on this section. Too bad there's not a spam filter to block them out for the rest of us...
Christina your right, my apologies. How's this, "If you don't like it here you can leave and go back to where it is you came from"
Why is there such a difference in ticket prices bewteen Anchorage and Fairbanks. The ADN story quoted a starting price of $56.50 including fees
Bravo to SMG and the staff at the Carlson Center for booking a top name act.
Hmmmmm.
You're getting there MC.
Of course, you're assuming that a person who thinks differently from you can't be from the same place as you are...or that everyone wishes to be surrounded by similar-thinking people as you seem to. I'm personally happy to be surrounded by people who think differently about all kinds of things.
Christina, who's making assumptions now. No two are the same and that's fine with me as well.
I'll take your word for it that "go back to where you came from" is just your little way of saying "we're cool, bro - you're you and I'm me". The confusion was clearly all mine. Apologies.
Like other conservatives, I find it disturbing that someone like Elton John will be coming to Fairbanks and tainting us with his loose "values".
It's unfortunate that we can't have someone who share our values, the values of Larry Craig, Ted Haggard, Mark Foley, Dan Burton, Bob Barr, Bob Packwood, Henry Hyde and Randy Cunningham.
hckywtchr - a ticket in Anchorage is not the same product as a ticket in Fairbanks which is not the same product as a ticket in Las Vegas. Different prices for different products.
hckywtchr -- Anch. Daily News says "Ticket prices will range from $56.50 to $116.50" so yes, they start lower than here, but go just as high. Does the Sullivan have more space than the Carlson? Maybe the $56 tics suck, lol. Plus if the Carlson is smaller, they will charge more per ticket to make more on the whole event.
I herd Michael Jackson was opening for Sir Elton according to AEG live concert promotors
All you Elton fans, don't flatter yourselves, the only reason Fairbanks was added to the tour was to collect extra money to cover the fuel cost for his jet, so thank his accountants.
Can you Elton fans help me out? I know Elton married a guy, now is Elton the man or the women in the marriage?
MICHELLE JACKSON and ELTON JOHN? Who'd a thunk that would happen?
A musical legend/history maker coming to fairbanks. 115 dollars is nothing for Elton John tickets, also, you will pay far more to be that close elsewhere. the carlson center is a very small place, all things considered. Like i've said before-A person's sexual preferance does not define them, but rather what/and who they are to society.
singing is his job. does he go to your workplace to watch you? save your money and buy his cd.
This is the most ridiculous bunch of hysteria I,ve ever come across at the NM. Have you people ever heard this adage "It is better to keep quiet & thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt" To casey of fairbanks "There is no fool like an educated fool" Now don't waste too much time blasting me. Your time will be better spent by going outside and screaming "The sky is falling,...The sky is falling"
Montague- I forgot that companies like SMG book entertainers based on what the community "values" are.
Elton John has sold more than 250 million albums and over one hundred million singles,making him ONE of the most successful artists of all time. He has more than 50 Top 40 hits including seven consecutive #1 U.S. albums, 59 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, 4 #2 hits, and nine #1 hits.He's won five Grammy awards and one Academy Award.
Can't you at least give him a little credit? Even if he doesn't share the same values as you do, its obvious to see that other people around the world are astonished with his music. And thats what it should be about..his MUSIC
I thought my wife said I was the only one who spread hate and discontent?
wow, what a bunch of haters. i don't care how gay the guy is, his music is still some of the best rock made. 115 dollars is nothing, how often does fairbanks get to see someone of his caliber? fairbanks has way too many haters, always hating on people that arn't just like themselves. stop trying to continue to make fairbanks as boring as the downtown area. and i doubt anyones son is going to turn gay from his appearance in fairbanks. in all, i know there's still going to be a lot of people enjoying his music when he plays at the carlson.
I remember seeing him in an evening dress when I was a child in 1974.
That was wierd.
I don't hate him, though he does not seem very happy, and I would not want my kid to idolize him, so no sale here. But if you do go, have a good time. BTW- not all Christians are haters. What if I were to classify you as a hater? Not cool.
You people are CRAZY!!!!!!!You should be thanking the heavens that we have the opportunity to see such an amazing showman!! As for the homophobic comments, what year is it really, get over your stupid false sense of righteousness. He is a great performer and $115 is really not that much money..it's a great experience!! I'll be there!
Wow, the reactions are really something. I'm not going to go, because I'm not a fan (he's OK, but not $115 worth of OK), but I'm surprised how many people completely flip out at the idea of being within 100 miles of the guy.
To those conservatives: 1. Your values aren't better than everyone else's. 2. You don't love America more than everyone else.
Sorry to burst your bubble.
$115 is nothing for a concert ticket. I live in South Carolina now and people just paid over $300 per ticket to see Kenny Chesney in concert. Fairbankans should be happy that they are getting big acts like Elton John, they never got big names like that when I lived there.
Who cares!!!! Not me - but I can't believe the Newsminer considered this and treated it as a "major" news item - Gee, isn't there an entertainment section of some sorts for this.
wow, i am so so so so so glad that i am way to young to care about that dude... HELLS YEA FOR SICK PUPPIES!!!
Okay, everyone just notch it back a little. I don't think Elton John fan-dom is really the political issue you all want to make it out to be. Yeah, a couple of goobers post & you start frothing at the mouth! Talk about stereotypes... His music actually crosses a lot of lines. True, my Mom (a pastor's wife & republican) is more of a Queen fan, but I assure you it is nothing personal against EJ. Some of my hard-core liberal friends won't be going as they are young enough that he isn't as relevant to them, again, no personal slur. I don't work at Wal-Mart, I work at the university, no EJ isn't in my budget (TRY getting a random raise at UAF, please), but I am also not a fan. Now if Tom Petty was playing, I'd find a way.
Someone liking or not liking Elton John doesn't make them evil/crazy/rep/dem/gay/straight. A little less polarization would be good. You grown up enough for it???
It really is ok to be one who does not want to pay to see Sir Elton. I repeat myself, but the acoustics at Carlson are more attune to a hockey game than a concert. If Elton John is gay, which is what I understand, then fine. As long as he doesn't frighten the children or the livestock, well God bless his soul.
My gripe now, and previous to now, is his politics. I am allowed to disagree with a British lord that despises my American values. And I have no problem with you spending your money to see him perform. But please , quit bitching about your lack of disposable income. Top dollar for the "experience" is the definition of "disposable income".
I've never paid that much for a ticket to anything but I sure will be now. Elton John is a brilliant musician with a lifetime of achievements in his field. I can't wait to go see him.
So yeah, about that... Can we get Tom Petty up here? Pretty please???
I could care less if elton is here dont listen to his music so i am not going could care less if hes gay either. The one thing that has irritated me on here is the people that dont live telling us we should be happy we got him. You dont live here so stay out of our papers comments and our buisness
This blog stuff is better than the funnies. Loosen up and enjoy life.
Wow, I can't believe society has come to this.
In his four-decade career, John has been one of the dominant forces in rock and popular music, especially during the 1970s. He has sold more than 250 million albums and over one hundred million singles making him one of the most successful artists of all time. He has more than 50 Top 40 hits including seven consecutive #1 U.S. albums, 59 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, 4 #2 hits, and nine #1 hits. He has won five Grammy awards and one Academy Award. His success has had a profound impact on popular music and has contributed to the continued popularity of the piano in rock and roll. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him #49 on their list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. Elton John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
I think that is worth the $115 and the major event in the paper.
If you don't like him or the prices...simply don't go.
I have to say, I'm amazed at the number of comments submitted on this event. First, I was lucky enough to take my daughter to see EJ in Vegas and it was the most exciting and wonderful concert I have EVER attended, and I have attended several, including front seats to Celine Dion in Vegas (terrific, but not EJ). He is not only an incredible musician and performer, but he is also unbelievably personable and funny with his audience. I could care less about his sexual orientation and I would hope in this day and age that we would be beyond all the name calling and all be just a little bit more enlightened than the previous generation. I would happily pay $250 for front row seats to see and listen to Elton. I hope to be able to get tickets as soon as they are available and take my other daughter this time, along with my husband.
Thank you Carlson Center for securing such an amazing performer for Fairbanks. I hope he isn't able to read all of the nasty and ignorant comments posted here and that we fill the center and give him a typical "Alaskan Warm Welcome" so he'll maybe come back again. Go Sir E.J.!!
Thanks to everyone for the late night entertainment. Just couldn't sleep, but I think I am sufficiently bored enough from all the uproar to do so. Oh, and yes I will be buying tickets. Without a doubt the best rock entertainment we've had in Fairbanks since ZZ Top.
i think its great that someone of Elton Johns statis is willing to come here. this state is left out of the loop for some reason which is pretty sad. although after reading some of the comments i have to wonder ! as to the person who seems to think that if his children see a gay performer that they will suddenly become gay themselves. well i hate to say this, but if your son or daughter comes out after seeing Elton in concert. they where GAY prior . EJ had nothing to do with it..
I think Elton John's best music came even before "Yellow Brick Road;" what was that, 1973?
Remember "Madman Across the Water"? "Don't Shoot Me..."?
The Carlson Center does have terrible acoustics from what I've heard, which is a big part of the reason I've never gone to a concert there.
But if I can swing it, I'm sure going to this one and bringing a
kid(s) too.
Are you kidding!!! Elton John?! In Alaska--and Fairbanks?!!
It has nothing to do with idolizing. It has to do with music.
I don't like David Crosby's politics--but he made some great music which I still listen to.
Besides, in memory of my big brother, who used to sit me down to listen to all the new albums he'd get, I gotta at least try to get there.
You all might want to rethink supporting this concert. Elton John recently performed in FL. My oldest children were given tictets to go. They were free so they thought "Why not?". Off they went. They were blasted away with profanity on screen and out of EJ's mouth. He was not singing the old songs we all know. He was outlandishly promoting his homosexual lifestyle. This is truely a concert for those living an alternative lifestyle- but frankly I don't think Fairbankians represent this. As for the ticket price, they were $75 for those buying. And the radio stations were giving tickets away just to fill the seats.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.