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Elton John concert tonight; live blogging from Arena

Quick note: I will be live blogging the Elton John with Leon Russell concert. In the meantime, here is a short story I wrote about the concert in advance.

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Elton John tickets still available today

Legendary pop singer Elton John has teamed with 1960s icon Leon Russell for a new album “The Union” and a short tour.

The two will perform tonight at the Citizens Business Bank Arena. Tickets are still available.

In an October interview, John said the two met when Russell watched him perform in 1970 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.

“I was on stage and I could see him in the audience – you can’t miss that hair and those glasses – and it was pure fright. Leon had always been my hero. I absolutely loved his piano playing, it was so distinctive.”

Fast forward some 40 years. The idea for the new album came when John called him, Russell said.

“He said he’d been listening to some of my records, and he’d just started crying, cause I’d meant so much to him,” Russell said. “I said, `Well, you’ve been busy.’ He said, `Not that busy. Would you like to make a record?’ So that was it.”


ELTON JOHN

With: Leon Russell

Where: Citizens Business Bank Arena, 4000 E. Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario

When: Doors open 7 tonight; concert starts at 8 p.m.

Cost: $167, $109, $66

Information: www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000