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Rockin’ good time in Youngstown
By GUY D’ASTOLFO and WILLIAM ALCORN
YOUNGSTOWN
Even the hell-raisers would agree: That was a wonderful crazy night.
Elton John and ZZ Top provided a one-two punch of classic rock Tuesday that brought throngs to the city and had hit songs wafting into the streets.
Elton John – whose current album, “Wonderful Crazy Night,” was released in February – returned to Covelli Centre where 7,000 fans awaited. It was his third concert at the downtown arena in six years.
At the same time, ZZ Top brought its Hellraisers tour to Stambaugh Auditorium, where about 2,500 filled the hall. The Texas trio last played Youngstown in 2011 at Covelli.
Elton John was battling a cold Tuesday night, and although you could hear it when he spoke, his voice was unwavering when he sang. He told the crowd that if he sings a weird note, that is why.
It was a greatest-hits concert, with a set list that was similar to his previous shows, although he did insert a few tunes from the new album: “Looking Up,” “A Good Heart” and “Blue Wonderful.”
Despite his illness, John was his old self. Clad in his familiar sparkly dark-blue tux emblazoned with “Madman Across the Water” on the back, he pounded the keys on “Bennie and the Jets” and exhorted the crowd to sing along. Later, he gave the introspective “Levon” a rollicking boogie-fied ending.
John started the show with his standard opener, “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding.”
A giant chandelier-like lighting fixture hung over the stage, another carryover from the last visit, and the British rock legend sat at a large grand piano. As he looked at the crowd, it might have seemed familiar to him.
“Good evening, Youngstown,” he said. “We are really happy to be back in Youngstown, at the Covelli.”
What followed was a set of two dozen songs that spanned his career, including “Tiny Dancer,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Candle in the Wind” and “Rocket Man.”
Before the concert, fans poured into the center city for dinner and drinks and to soak in some pre-concert tunes, making for a booming night. Understandably, it was mostly Elton fans downtown, where the arena sits.
Food trucks also descended on the city, a first for a concert night. Near Covelli, A Taste of N’Awlins and What the Truck were parked back to back.
Rob Kendall of Youngstown operates the latter, and dished up tacos, burritos, mac and cheese, pulled pork and other “street eats and Southern treats.”
It was the first time he and Alan Franco, owner of the N’Awlins, brought their trucks down for a concert, and it seemed to pay off.
By 6 p.m., the bars and restaurants on West Federal Street were packed, with lines backed up out the door.
Jim and Kellie Galantis of Hermitage, Pa., were part of the crowd. They were attending the Elton John show with Paul and Anna Zelina of New Castle, Pa., and had reservations at the Fifth Floor restaurant.
“We’re here to support Youngstown,” said Paul Zelina. “It’s a great thing they are doing.” He and Jim Galantis are old friends who grew up in Campbell.
Imbibe and Ryes, the upscale upstairs-downstairs bars on West Federal Street, were open, despite the fact that they are normally closed Tuesday. Jordi Deando, general manager of the bars, said they were taking advantage of the concerts.
Sitting inside Imbibe were Alan Zubyk and Natalie Russo, of Niles, having a cocktail before seeing Elton John. The couple paid upward of $200 per ticket on an online resale site.
“We just had a baby five and a half months ago,” Russo said. “This is our big night out.”
Glenn and Vicki Hammersmith came all the way from Norwalk to see Elton John.
“I had seen him before, but it was a long time ago,” said Vicki. She loves the collaboration of John and lyricist Bernie Taupin. “He can sing anything and it just melts you,” she said.
Her husband, Glenn, bought the tickets as a Christmas present.
Up at the Royal Oaks, an Elton John party was raging with DJ Fast Freddie of CD 93.
Inside, Diane and Michael Worley of Saegertown, Pa., near Erie, were having drinks and ribs.
The decision to come to Youngstown came at the last minute for the couple, after a friend of Diane told her she had a pair of tickets available.
Did they wind up at the Royal Oaks because of its fame from being on TV show “Bar Rescue” last fall?
Not really.
“I just Googled restaurants in Youngstown,” said Diane. The Oaks seemed like what they were looking for.
The couple admittedly are not diehard Elton John fans, but Michael said seeing the British rocker has been on his bucket list. “He is an amazing musician,” he said. “In the back of my mind, he has been someone I’ve wanted to see before I die.”
Jon and Amy Giberson of Portville, N.Y., near Olean, N.Y., found their way to Youngstown to enjoy the Elton John performance, their first live concert in 35 years.
“I’ve always been an Elton John fan,” said Amy; and Jon said he “needed a Christmas present for his wife,” as the couple enjoyed a pre-concert snack at the V2 Restaurant in downtown Youngstown.
Less than 2 miles and six minutes from Covelli, ZZ Top brought its unique blend of rock and Texas blues to the delight of a virtually sold-out audience at Stambaugh Auditorium.
Among the ZZ fans who whooped and hollered when the iconic trio walked onto the stage were Reggie Giancola and Ashley Parker of Niles, who were given the tickets to their first ZZ concert by Ashley’s parents, Cheryl and Doug Parker, also of Niles, themselves ZZ enthusiasts.
Ashley said she remembers when she was young her parents went via a party bus to a ZZ concert.
“They came back with ZZ-like beards and sunglasses,” she said.
The crowd began hollering long before the opening act, Tim Montana and the Shrednecks, took the stage at 8 p.m., and raised the volume when ZZ Top appeared a few minutes after 9 p.m.
Waiting in the block-long line waiting to get into the North Side concert hall were Jon Hitesman of Austintown who came to the concert with brothers, Tim Massie of New Middledown and Don Massie of Struthers.
“Hell yeah,” said Hitesman, when asked if he is a big fan. “I have a ZZ Top CD in my car all the time.”
“We’re absolutely big fans,” said Jeff Grinnell and Theresa Kraus of Cortland, who said they were looking forward to their first ZZ Top concert.
The trio, comprised of guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons, bassist and co-lead vocalist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard, formed in 1969 in Houston.