Retriever, 2 September 1975, Page 11 Scene

Elton John and the Rock Theatre Captain Fantastic and his Crew Mezmerize a Generation of Believers

By Charles Lean

It's been five years since Elton John hit In the past decade, rock has not only spending all that they can to keep young, pre-pubescent. They are harmless. the music scene and through his eleven turned into big business, it's become an and because the whole culture tells them Not so with the next gang--er group, that albums, sixteen singles and all of the institution -- an institution with its own that the world is only for the young. They comes on to the scene. It's Lucifer's concerts, screen and T. V. appearances, he heroes and Gods. Heroes who are en­ have been bombarded with "youth is Children themselves. The Rolling Stones, remains an enigma. shrined by an adoring public. The heroes good" on television, in advertisements, The Street Fighting Men are here, I don't- know what to make of him. I like themselves are learning their parts very and by the government. They have no resplendent in sailor suits. Back on leave, his music, but at times he repulses me. His well, and acting them out to the fullest. reason not to believe it. ready to do damage to the women and costumes, his stage performances, his JOM is the self-proclaimed "Captain They believe in little else. Oh, there is children. ' publicized shopping sprees, his glasses-­ Fantastic" of the group. Taupin becomes money. You can believe in that. It'll never Mick Jagger is beautiful to watch, as they all send me away ~wearing that I'll not only his collaborator, but his ac­ fail you. It can buy you a ticket to Nirvana­ usuaJ. A bit heartbreaking, becaUse in the never take anything that he does seriously complice. They are fellows in the Rock -or at the very least some good Columbian beginning he didn't play Lucifer--he was again. _ Theatre. tea. And that will take you away. You can Lucifer. He didn't play at being a street But then I listen to his music and he wins The Rock Theatre can be compared to a believe in that. But what is getting off fighting man--he was the street fighting me back. latter day Hollywood. The stakes are without the heroes to take you there? Turn man. But now it's all Rock Theatre. Mick It's not his singles that are of interest; higher now, and it's not in movies but in on the stereo and shut out the lights. The Jagger doing an imitation of himself for the last batch of them reads like a who's . record$ that the stars perform, but the rock heroes are riding tonight. the Rock Children and the Jet Set. They who of show business. First there was the parallels are many. It's a rock world and welcome to it. don't know the difference anyway. And single that he made of an old BeatIe song There is the same kind of adulation for Welcome to the stage where it all takes Jagger is one hell of a performer. He's the ("Lucy in the Sky"), th.en there was the the Rock Heroes now, as there was for the place. The rQCk theatre is about to begin ... original player in the Rock Theatre. single that he made with an old BeatIe movie stars of the 20's and 30's. Money is So now the rest of the players are trying (John Lennon and "Whatever Gets You tight now, just as it was in the Depression, ,SCENE 1 (It's the only scene.) to find their roles. Paul McCartney has Through the Night"), after that came the but the rock stars have plenty of ito-just as The first annual Rock Awards. It's come aboard as the Rock Gangster. His is one he wrote for an aging tennis que'en and the film stars did. The decadence is Saturday night and all of the Rock the "Band on the Run". Linda, his wife, part time feminist (Billie Jean King and devine. _ Children are watching ... many of the 'star plays the part of his moll. "Philadelphia Freedom"), and finally Sound familiar? You bet it is, and the players are in the audience to either And on it goes ... until we come to Elton there was the remake of the Who's dreams that the whole scene perpetuates receive awards or to be a part of the John as Captain Fantastic. Here is where "Pinball Wizard" from the rock opera have hardly been touched upon. Indeed, it scene ... the problems start and the confuSion "Tommy". seems that the social critics have avoided FADE IN begins. Pretty heavy company but hardly im­ them. Either they graz.e the surface of the Elton John is introducing the show. He is The Stones and McCartney and a few pressive material. The singles were scene and try to tie it up in a neat package our host; our guide through the-oncoming others such as Alice Cooper, need the Rock diversions at best. Inoffensive radio fare. or they completely ignore it and hope it comedy--or is it tragedy? The two are so Theatre and their roles because they've No, it's not the singles. That is a dif­ will go away. close that it hardly matters .... grown older and their creative energy is on ferent Dall game. One in which John knows But it won't go away. We are children of Captain Fantastic is intentionally the wave. McCartney and Jagg~r have the score, but one in which I don't care to rock. We have been raised on it; been making a mockery of the proceedings but 'been at the top for eleven years. They like dabble. nursed on its milk, and we offer weekly - his presence as host makes the entire the feeling and don't mind acting out parts It's the albums that hold fascination. sacrifices to it. We dress in rock clothes, affair important to the Rock Children. He to stay on top. The albums that hold the interest. They listen to rock music, go to rock shows, go to may make fun, but he's there, isn't he? Elton John doesn't have to act a part to confuse and sometimes frustrate and at rock films, watch rock T.V., and we even The Captain informs the crowd that he's stay on top. His music has kept other times they are brilliant. A beautiful subscribe to rock philosophy in the form of in the proper frame of mind for the show. progressing since the beginning--and that blending of lyric and music. Magic. the ROLLING STONE. "What do you expect after one Quaalude 7" beginning was five-not eleven years ago. The Day' of the Locust is having its he says. A murmur from the audience. It's fine when Elton plays Captain John's latest album, CAPTAIN FAN­ second coming but the later day And, "Oh, man!" from the Rock ChilQren Fantastic on the album. A close TASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT Nathaniel West and Ernest Hemingway watching on the tube. We relate! Drugs examination of the lyrics show that Taupin COWBOY contains more than a few and Scott Fitzgerald are nowhere to--be man! Heavy. was using irony when he chose to portray moments of magic. The albuin tells the found. The Captain welcomes his accomplice John as Captain"Fantastic. On the album it story of the Elton John - Bernie Taupin rise ·onto the scene. It's the Brown Dirt Cowboy works. It's when John tries to make the to fame as told by Elton John and his . The rock generation needs its Rock himself, Bernie Taupin. Raquel Welsh also Captain come to life, when John starts lyracist Bernie Taupin. ,Theatre because tpey need something to ,comes out with Taupin to present an believing that he is the Captain, that I They are writing their own rock myth. believe in. award, but she goes unnoticed. Imagine, come away muttering. - John and Taupin are not only writing about The rock generation is a generation of Raquel Welsh--unnoticed! It's tragic enough that the Rock Children their rise to fame, but about the whole rock prolonged adolescense and delayed When Elton has Bernie, there is need for believe in the Rock Theatre. It's scene. A scene that is coming of age. responsibilities. A generation that wants to no one else. The two of them have a rock disasterous when the players themselves Rock's own family. stay young because they see their parents age of around twelve. They are definitely do. FADEOUT