You know that you have very good friends when asked to join a small party at an invitation only Sir Elton John concert at the Royal Albert Hall (London) and meet the great man afterwards…  you both know who you are and huge thanks from us if you ever read this note.

Sir Elton’s concert last night was a fundraiser entirely for the benefit of the Royal Academy of Music (of which Sir Elton is amongst the various well known alumni) who have launched an appeal for a superb new 14 tonne musical organ Swiss built by Kuhn at a cost of £1.2m.

What a fabulous institution RAM is, and how loyal and generous so many people are to its needs - well worth a visit to their website to learn more and maybe even to drop off a donation for the organ fund…

And should Sir Elton be classed as an institution as well?  Maybe…   Is he fabulous?  DEFINITELY!!

It is hard to recreate the wonder of witnessing a live performance of nearly three hours where Sir Elton continuously entertained an overflowing Albert Hall with only his vocals and piano - no prompts or sheet music.  He was joined by Ray Cooper on percussion (percussion is something of an understatement!) for the last 90 minutes as he covered off 31 tracks in a deliciously eclectic new set.  Sir Elton’s fingers scampered up and down the keyboard with such purpose, precision and vigour, complimented perfectly by that oh so distinctive tenor;  a consummate professional, entertainer and genius possessed of really great talent.  Within our party, all were exhausted just from watching the performance by the end!

Not only was the show terrific - and who’s mind cannot help wonder at the diversity of music Sir Elton has created over the past 40 years, the spectrum of his fans as well as his truly global reach and influence? - but somehow The Captain found enthusiasm and energy to pop upstairs and reconfirm his appreciation and support for RAM at a small gathering afterwards, apparently after only a modest steak and kidney pudding for sustenance!  This was the first time I have met Sir Elton at close quarters and he struck me as a truly kind, committed and caring individual.  Maybe beyond fabulous is more accurate?!

Is there any relevance to champagne?  Only that plenty of finest brut from the house that Eugene Mercier founded in 1858 (aged 20) was enjoyed before, during and after the show. Somehow that seemed rather fitting and it certainly slipped down well.