Elton and the Jetsssssss....

Despite of the conflict at the CKS airport with the custom and the press in the early morning(no diplomatic privilege for Sir Elton?). Sir Elton John, along with his bandmates showed up on the stage right after 8PM, in the face-lift-required soccer stadium in Taipei in the raining night. It's a GREAT CONCERT!! You can't believe that Elton is 57 years old now, strong voice, humorous and hearty talks, stunning energy!! In Taiwanese saying, he is the "living dragon".(photo source: TVBS)

(zh-tw)強叔不愧五十歲還是一尾活龍!!

The Jets
I did not manage to count how many jet planes fly over the stadium during the concerts , but do recall: two jets during Bennie And The Jets, one in the beginning of Daniel, one during Elton singing "I am a Rocket Man". I must say that those jets are really helpful to the presentation of the classic "aviatic" songs. Rocket Man was performed in extended version, it seems that not many people enjoyed it, but I think it's the musical highlight of the night.

Hardest Word, Heaviest Rain
The rain was OK in the beginning, but when Elton began the melody of "the hardest word", it rained a lot. Even though the organizor was carefully preparing the disposable raincoat for us, we all soaked up in the rain, and in the magnificently beautiful performances by Sir Elton....As for the "Hardest Word", it is easy for Elton to say that he is "sorry" in front of all of us sitting in th rain, I do really feel that. But I agree for those reporters in the airport, "f@#$~!@k" seems to be the right word to them.

Last time I was in this soccer stadium for Phil Collins concert in '95 with my girlfriend. Seeing Sir Elton 10 years later with "Your Song", "Sacrifice", in the same venue, with the same girl, now my wife :-)

The Setlist
(two or three songs less than HK and Shanghai)
The Bitch Is Back / Bennie And The Jets / Levon / Daniel / Someone Saved My Life Tonight / Philadelphia Freedom / Rocket Man / I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues / I Want Love / Answer In The Sky / Tiny Dancer / Take Me To The Pilot / Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word / Sacrifice (solo) / Candle In The Wind (solo) / Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding / All The Young Girls Love Alice / I'm Still Standing / Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) / Crocodile Rock / Encore: Pinball Wizard / Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me / Your Song / Can You Feel The Love Tonight

I also did some news cut (text in traditional Chinese, sources: UDN / TVBS / Chinatimes). Some more newspaper scan files will be uploaded later.

Comments

[Khoo Siew Bee]

Dear Ching Chiao,

Many thanks for including me in your circulation and please keep your blog coming. Apart from enjoying some articles, I learnt from your blogs as well as catching up on news on your family from time to time.

I recently attended an Asian family conference orgnanised by Campden Publishing. Various families from Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Italy, India etc. attended to learn/exchange views on energising their businesses, resolving conflicts and developing future managers, owners and leaders for their families i.e. succession. It is interesting to note that most of the different issues the families have are often a result of a conflict of interest between what an individual wishes for a career or as a parent versus and what he needs to do as the head of a business. The business with a head who could segregate these roles, establish a fair process and nurture future leaders will have a better chance of continuity. Some of the families who attended the conference have owned their businesses since the 1800's and some over the last 65 years or so. I guess the overriding wish/commitment of keeping the families together must have given the family businesses a strength over the average corporately managed companies in longevity.

Best regards,
Siew Bee

(Editor's Note: Ms. Khoo is one of the most experienced and successful investment bankers in AP region, and the mentor of Angelia and myself)

[Ching]

Keith,

I really enjoyed being in the stadium with that ENUM meeting... Hope to see you soon perhaps in Perth or Capetown :-)

Yen, thanks for your kind comment and look forward to seeing you very soon.

[Keith Davidson]

Hi Ching from New Zealand,

Great blog - well done. Great to see the prominent photo is Wellington stadium. Just watched the rugby there tonight - Wellington beat Taranaki 73 - 28 in NPC. Stadium looks very different when its empty.

Cheers
Keith Davidson

(Editor's Note: Mr. Davidson is the President of InternetNZ)

[Jonathan Yen]

Hi, Ching,

This is your ex-classmate, Yen.
Really impressive from your web, a lot of interesting materials within...
Just wanna drop you a message, and say hello to you.

See you very soon.

Jonathan