Atlanta Music Scene Has Moved To WordPress
Slowly but surely, the Atlanta Music Scene blog has been transitioning to WordPress - a bigger and better blogging and commenting experience!
See you there, at http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-music-scene/
Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > December > 01 > Entry
Elton John and Billy Joel Face 2 Face In Atlanta - Again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tickets go on sale this Saturday for the return of piano men Elton John and Billy Joel’s “Face 2 Face” tour, at Philips Arena March 14.
As many of you know, it will be a homecoming of sorts for John, a part-time Atlantan. But Live Nation president Peter Conlon said at this morning’s unusual press conference that Joel has a hometown connection as well.
According to Conlon, a then-unknown Joel called Conlon’s partner Alex Cooley and asked if he could play at a festival the promoter was having in Puerto Rico. Cooley said come on down. Joel played a set of Joe Cocker tunes (hours before Cocker himself was supposed to hit the stage, mind you). And when Joel walked off legendary record exec Clive Davis gave him his card and said, “Call Me Monday.”
So Joel, Conlon said, has always credited Cooley with the launch of his career.
Now here Joel and John are with 350 million albums sold worldwide — Philips Arena president Bob Williams said at the press conference — back with a tour first put on here in 1994 at the Georgia Dome. (A sell-out. The shot above of is from their 2001 local stop).
Tickets this time around will range from $55.50 to $181 at Live Nation and Ticketmaster outlets. (Believe it or not, these price points are virtually the same as they were the last time they were in town in 2002 when tix ranged from $47 to $177. Conlon said artists are very cognizant now of the economy, even in a situation like this where a sellout is virtually guaranteed.) Plan to go? Seen the “Face 2 Face” tour before? And if so, let us know if it’s worth it.
Comments
By Heather
December 1, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Oh great, two has-beens, one a kiddie porn freak and the other a drunk. Sorry, but one of the commandments of my religion is that I not worship false idols. It’s kept me out of a lot of trouble my whole life.
By MJ
December 1, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
and that’s why heather has no friends
By TM
December 1, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
MJ is now my new false idol. Heather is alone and sad. Join me, Heather. Join me as I pay homage to the great and powerful MJ.
By Uptown Girl
December 1, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Heather, I sincerely hope it’s not your religion that has made you so bitter and judgemental. If your church teaches you such things (as well as labeling enjoyment of music at concerts as “false idol” worship) I suggest you search for another. What you describe sounds like a legalistic twisting of the gospels without any grace or love. I wish you a happier relationship with your God. Peace…….
By jeff
December 1, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Saw these two back in the late 90’s at Shea Stadium. They put on a great show. Well worth the price of admission.
By qwerty
December 1, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
I doubt anyone outside the AJC would call Billy Joel’s six words with Alex Cooley an Atlanta “connection”. Just because he talked to someone from Atlanta? Sorry, not buying it.
Let’s face it, not everything has a “hometown connection”, and trying to find one sometimes makes you look desperate.
By Reverie
December 1, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
I saw them together at the Alamodome in San Antonio during their first tour together. Elton was good but not nearly as flamboyant as I expected. Billy rocked the house. I plan on taking my wife to see this.
Reverie
By Jungleland2
December 1, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
Saw this tour twice when they did it last time (Atlanta + South Carolina)Elton was actually the better piano player, but I prefer Billy’s music. Anyway they are great together and it’s 100% hit songs…worth every cent
By Nancy
December 1, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
The first time I ever saw Billy Joel was in 1977, and I paid $5 at SUNY Oswego to see him in the gym…he was already a NY phenom! I have seen him at least a dozen times since, but I have never seen Elton John…I would love to see this concert!!!
By Brenda
December 1, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
I saw this tour in St Louis in 1993 and it was FANTASTIC I have seen Billy 20 or so times and he is great every time Elton was no slouch either the best part is when they sing the other one’s songs an interesting twist see it if you can
By Brenda
December 1, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
I saw this tour in St Louis in 1993 and it was FANTASTIC I have seen Billy 20 or so times and he is great every time Elton was no slouch either the best part is when they sing the other one’s songs an interesting twist see it if you can
By Brenda
December 1, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
I saw this tour in St Louis in 1993 and it was FANTASTIC I have seen Billy 20 or so times and he is great every time Elton was no slouch either the best part is when they sing the other one’s songs an interesting twist see it if you can
By Susan
December 1, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Excellent!! Elton hasn’t played Atlanta in two or three years!! I can’t wait….
By Bobert
December 1, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
I saw them last time they were in Atlanta, It was one of the best shows I have ever been to!
///By Heather December 1, 2008 4:34 PM your an idiot.
By Heather Czerniak
December 1, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
Aw, did I ruffle some liberals’ feathers? Hey, I don’t have to idolize someone who has lost control of their own life. I have these things called morals, and it’s too bad if it don’t suit ya. To each his own. Just don’t get down on someone else’s case because they won’t waste their time or money sharing your adulation of celebrities who they can screw up endlessly while raking in millions.
By Matt
December 1, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Heather, your jaded views and hatred are so typically christian. Hopefully, you will one day take off the blinders and pull your fingers out of your ears and see the world as it is. The Rev. Ted Haggard has morals, and his morals led him to gay sex and a meth addiction. Larry Craig has morals, and his morals led him to a bathroom stall in Minnesota. The Catholic Church preaches morals, yet their morals led priests to abuse young boys and then cover it up. If these are christian morals, I want nothing of them. I’m sure Elton and Billy are not perfect human beings. But there is something else I know for a fact. You, Heather, are not perfect either. It baffles me how christians will point their finger so quickly at others, but deny their own failings. Oh wait… that’s right… it gives you a feeling of superiority and a way to avoid analyzing your own life.
By mrdog
December 1, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Once again Matt speaks the truth…you should write a column for the AJC!
By Eric
December 1, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
Jeff, you never saw them @ Shea in the late 90’s. Giants Stadium yes, Shea no. Not until this summer did Billy play Shea.
I am already seeing Billy in FLA in January. I may have to add this to my tour stops :)!
By elton & billy 4ever
December 1, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Guess what?????? Two of the most fabulous entertainers ever. I can’t wait….seen them in ATL…..seen Elton 3 times in Las Vegas. I can guarantee U I paid more than $200 a ticket. You guys keep up the trash talk. That is what U are about. This will be the best concert ever. 4everwillbeeyours……….
By Ron H
December 2, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
I cannot wait for this concert! These are two talented individuals that know how to rock the house! The wife and I will will go to this one.
And heather, man you’re bitter! Did you try to hit on EJ and get turned down? or did your snake handling church lead you to believe that anything other than gospel/hymns are bad?
By Brent
December 2, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Matt, your jaded views and hatred of Christians is so typical. Hopefully, you’ll pull your blinders off one day and not lump all Christians into the same categories. Christians are not perfect human beings, and here’s something I know about you Matt, you’re not a perfect human being either. You’re quick to point out the hypocrisy of a few flawed Christians (aren’t we all) while relishing your own feeling of morally relativistic superiority.
I don’t agree with Heather’s point of view, and I’d love to see this show, but doesn’t she have the right to speak her mind as she wishes, or does tolerance only go one direction?
By J
December 2, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
I will absolutely be there! I’ve seen Billy Joel on his own and it was amazing. I missed this show the last time they were here, I can’t wait to see them together.
By Lynn
December 2, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Been there done that. Will spend my $$ on another artist.
By Jesus
December 2, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Heather,
Will you go on a date with me? You sound like a lot of fun.
By jbv
December 2, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Somethings fishy here… I was reading in the Lake Tahoe paper about this concert and that the local (san fran) Live Nation guy from THERE introduced Billy Joel to his label back when he played Vegas in the late 70’s…and that was the local connection…anybody know the real truth about this?? andy/ Heather ? Matt ? BJ? are we recycling stories? hyde
By LP in Texas
December 2, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I was not really a fan of either, but my cousin had tickets for their performance in Houston back in 94. I’ve seen many concerts and this one was AWESOME! Don’t miss it!
By larry
December 2, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
yeah its an old story…I heard it was Bill Joel and he was playing Portland Maine and he met a guy who gave him a song (Piano Man) that launched his career and now he has “local” ties to Portland. Just another pr trick to make people believe they had some indirect connection to a celebrity. My cousin once knew a guy who hung out with Hershel Walker when he was in high school and actually taught him how to carry a football…..everybody is famous in their own mind….even the Christian hater Matt…
By DEE
December 2, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Wow it only took two sentences before the Buzz referred to John as a part time Atlantan. I laugh everytime he’s mentioned because no matter what it’s about they will always refer to him as a part time Atlantan. I’m sure he’ll put that on his tombstone.
By brock
December 2, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
I’m not a fan of either, but man Heather, you’re a whack job! Kiddie porn? Where did that come from? Elton’s just gay, not that there’s anything wrong with that! False idols? They are just musicians, like your church organist, only more popular.
By Jim
December 2, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
The story I heard was that Heather the Christian walked into Elton’s kiddie porn shop and that’s what inspired Elton to write “The Bitch is Back”.
Heather, I’m not a liberal but I don’t like you either.
By J
December 2, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Heather, What rhymes with bunt? You got it!
By L.S.
December 2, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
The Face to Face tour we went to, acutally we went to both here in Atlanta, the best concert my husband and I have EVER been to. These two are phenominal together!! If at all possible DO NOT MISS THIS CONCERT! IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY.
By Debbie
December 2, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
The comments here are funnier than the Vent! LOLOLOLOLOL
By NO GOD
December 2, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
EJ is incredible in concert! Yes, a little too professional and not as flamboyant as the early eighties. BJ has incredible talent. Never seen him in concert. I can only imagine this would rock the house. Can’t wait to see them. BTW = Heather is a sinner. Matt is a sinner. There is no god so I am not a sinner. I don’t have a silly book to tell me what to think and I have a couple of Constitutional rights to my speech and thoughts. Hope you all have a kick ass time at this concert. I will!
By Jim Bakker
December 9, 2008 5:36 AM | Link to this
I wish Jesus and Satan would open this show, each of them sitting down at a piano across from each other and just settling this thing once and for all. See ya there Heathen, I mean Heather