The Big Five … with Greg Vadimsky, Greggie & The Jets – Legend 2 Legend

November 13, 2023

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1. With such an extensive portfolio of work to your credit, why has Elton John’s music been such an influence on your life and as a musician?

Actually, Elton’s music had the earliest influence upon me – except for my classical training that began at age 5. Once I heard him on the radio (it was Rocket Man in 1972), my brain did a backflip (and I nailed the landing), and it was everything ELTON from then on. Once we had moved from New Jersey to Florida, I began learning his songs by ear off the radio, but then my Grandmother Sophia bought me the 3-volume music book set of all his songs released up to 1973. So…. I now had the “ammo” to work with – the actual chords and some pretty accurate piano parts as well. I sang to his records in my bedroom using headphones all the time (alas, my poor parents had to endure that without hearing the recorded music)… and then did the same while playing the songs on their piano (and usually avoiding the hot Florida weather in the process). Elton has been my ultimate influence for most of my life.

What is your most favorite Elton John song to perform and why?

Well, in our current setlist, it would be Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, which is the opening track of his 1973 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. The song is just a masterpiece, combining the best of his musical writing with some of Bernie Taupin’s most effective lyrics. I do also have to mention that since we are adding “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” to the show in a short while, that particular song will likely become a co-favorite… because it was my favorite song when I began learning his music as a boy. (I got to tell Elton that in person in Orlando, and he replied that the song was one of his and Bernie’s favorites as well).

The Legend 2 Legend performance is a unique show for our area. How does this enhance the level of excitement for you as a performer?

Working with Tony Monaco and the entire Turnstiles band is a first and foremost joy, because they “inhabit” the music and performance stylings of Billy Joel and his band the same way that my team does with Elton’s music. They love what they do and it is palpable. When you work alongside people like that, the joy is infectious, and it inspires you to greater efforts yourself. Also, I absolutely adore your area of Florida and plan in my latter years to have a house up there, so performing for your audience is an exciting thing for me along with getting to play with Turnstiles. I’m really looking forward to it, and so is my band The Jets.

What can the audience expect from a show like this?

We collectively perform a very close show to those that Billy and Elton did together with the same power and drive. Though we are all grounded in the fact that we are not the real men, that does not deter from the passion of delivering an inspiring performance every night. The audience can expect not only the hits, but some of the most beautiful deep album cuts as well, and we always listen to our fans’ requests for specific songs. Each show features some unique songs that were requested by that city’s audience, and we don’t just play the same sets every night. This allows for excellent audience interaction!!

Will the audience have an audience have an opportunity for meet and greet after the show?

Absolutely YES!! We always look forward to meeting as many people as possible and discussing what they liked best as well as any future song requests. Without audience interaction like this, the process of touring can become a lot less fun. It is great to know what the people are thinking, and we are always improving based on their comments.