Cool! I spent 6 months in Europe the next year and that festival, coming a year after all the festivals of Summer, 1969, was one of the things that spurred me into working 2 jobs to save the money. I'm just glad I got to see all his Houston appearances. I can't tell you how depressing his death was to me, although I'm sure there's no need. Man, I keep thinking about those days. I miss them a great deal.
I saw a documentary on the making of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album and when Elton said the crowd noise on "Bennie and the Jets" was from Jimi's Isle of Wight show, I went woah!!!! All these years listening to that song and I never knew that. I guess it was Elton's way of paying tribute to Jimi.
Time for my Elton John story. I think I've entered this on these pages before, but here goes... My friend is driving around Atlanta with his elderly aunt. She needs some "medicinal" vodka, so they stop by a liquor store. She is a fuss-budget about what to buy-- not being an experienced buyer, I guess. She finally tentatively decides on a brand and as the clerks turns to fetch it for her, she turns to the gentleman standing next to her and mutters, "Oh, I hope I've gotten something good. I just don't know..." The gentleman replies: "Oh, yes ma'am you've made a fine choice." He then turns and exits the store. When the clerk returns, my friend's aunt shares the story with him of the confirmation of her decision by the neighboring customer. The clerk laughs and says, "Don't you know who that was?" "No, I have no idea. Who?" "Elton John." Who again!
Yes, he has been living in Atlanta for a while now. I have a couple of friends who live in Atlanta that have run into him out and about.