Elton John tribute to perform final concert of season

From Enterprise Staff

“Bennie & the Jets,” the premier Elton John tribute act, will be the final performance of the 2023-2024 season of the Livingston Community Concert Association at 7:30 p.m. March 9 at the Polk County Commerce Center located at 1017 Hwy. 59 Loop North in Livingston. The doors open at 7 p.m.

Memberships in the Livingston Community Concert Association may be purchased for as little as $50 per person and family rates are also available. Membership will allow one to attend all concerts per season. For additional information go to www.livingstoncommunityconcert.org or contact Sally Frasier at 936-967-0219.

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Led by Greg Ransom on piano and vocals, “Bennie & the Jets” has performed around the world for a variety of audiences. In honor of his 2022 farewell tour, this concert offers audiences the opportunity to relive Elton John’s iconic catalog of music, including “Candle in the Wind,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Rocket Man” and so many other beloved Elton John songs.

Ransom began playing the piano when he was 10 years old and fortunately, he had a piano teacher “with a slant toward rock.” He continued piano throughout his high school years, studying theory, harmony, stage band and madrigal singers. While in high school, he and other classmates formed a band “The Awakening,” where they performed with local basement-band MTV winners.

He was only 21 and playing at a downtown piano bar when someone requested that he play an Elton John song. He delighted them with “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.” The owner was so impressed he suggested that Ransom don a hat and glasses and form a tribute program.

By 1995 the band was formed with Ransom on piano and vocals, Dan Moraski on guitar and backing vocals, Bob Lilja on drums and backing vocals and Ken Walpurgis on bass. They quickly became a national and international touring group. Lilja was replaced with Steve Lawton and Walpurgis was replaced with Mike Gibbs. Their current line-up remains Ransom, Moraski, Lawton and Gibbs. Bennie & the Jets have performed world-wide in a variety of venues.