I am Sorry Elton John.

Living in Southern California means I consistently deal with wild fires altering my life. In the past it had been in small, detail sort of ways but this last set kept me trapped in Orange County unable to get home since every freeway in my area was on fire (which also meant the roads around them were blocked as well.)

It was an interesting experience that led to a night of not sleeping. I realized friends are every where and the world is filled with great people ready to take you in at a moment's notice even if they have just met you (which is the case with 90% of the cast of the show I am currently in.)

And while I could write a lot of sappy/hopeful things about the fires and the way everyone helped each other that night I instead feel the need to write about Elton John.

There was a moment with an acoustic guitar and two boys singing "Crocodile Rock." This moment made it official. It made me regret my many years of saying I didn't really like Elton John. It made me need to announce to the world that I may, in fact, love Elton John.

I know what you are thinking, "Crocodile Rock?...REALLY?!?" But you must understand that this has been a long process for me. You see I'm the type of girl who loves The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. I relate to Janis and Joni, each in their own way. I love Simon and Garfunkel. But Elton, Elton and I haven't always seen eye to eye. Something was always amiss and I think I know what it is.

Radio has ruined some of the greatest artists of all time. No, really. Look at The Beatles. "I saw her standing there" is an AWESOME song but honestly, what makes The Beatles amazing is the vast range of their music which is not displayed when radio only plays "I Saw Her Standing There,," "Let it Be," and "Hey Jude." Mind you, these are some of my all time favorite songs but what about "Yer Blues"? What about "Within you, Without you"? What about "Something"? I could go on forever.

My point comes down to this: I really only knew Elton John as a few songs here and there on the radio that I sort of liked but never could appreciate. Albums are an art. Live music is an art. A radio hit is just mostly something that is well marketed.


So, My Dear Sir Elton John, I am sorry. Everyone who loves me has always been right about you and I was just too stubborn to admit that you are rock and roll. You are, in fact, rock and roll royalty. Please forgive me for not being a true, die hard, all my life fan, and give me another chance. I promise to make it up this time by turning off the radio and turning up the albums.

Thank you for reading this non-sense,
the snail