Ravinia 2023 Issue 4

Twenty years later, the album is considered a masterpiece, so your instincts proved correct. I’m glad I didn’t compromise. I like to play the long game. Also, the success of the Want One album has a Chicago connection. My publicist, Barbara Charone, is a Chicago native, but she has lived in London for years. She heard Want One and called me and said, “I have to make this album a success.” She suggested we rerelease it in England and give it a big push. She’s the one who got Elton John on board early, plus getting stories in important UK music magazines like New Musical Express . Barbara still has that tough “Chicago personality” to get things done in all the best ways. She kept her promise. Was there pressure to enter the “family business” while growing up? Not a pressure, but I was gung-ho about music at an early age. My father noticed I had talent, but my moth- er was completely on top of it—she made sure I practiced the piano, she sang harmony with me, and took me on tour. There never was any question I would pursue music in some way. I stayed up all night listening to music on vinyl records as a young kid. I did attend a music conservatory, but I was never a great student. But I always cared. I think you have to care. What can we expect from the new “Want Symphonic” program? This will be kind of a world premiere— it will be the first gig of the celebration of the Want records. So that’s fun, and I am excited to do it at Ravinia. I’ve done great things there over the years, so I’m looking forward to coming back. The rehearsal with the CSO is usually the day of the show, so it’s nerve-wracking and crazy. It’s incred- ible how fast and adept they are, but they definitely will be working for their money, that’s for sure! [ Laughs .] This music is a tall order. I am also glad I will have Matt Johnson with me as a drummer. Or- chestras have percussionists, but this music needs a rock drummer. How- ever, to best resurrect the spirit and grandiose sound of the Want records, a full orchestral show is necessary. Are the Want records timeless, or of their time? They have their own place. I can never recapture that time. They are so lavish, lush, and luxurious. There is so much going on. We used two separate orchestras. It felt huge at the time. We mixed it once—but it was too big, so we mixed it again. They aren’t the highest form of my artistic endeavors but were peakish records for me and my career. And now I am entering into new territories that are well-suited for the wild journey that I have had—namely the theater. I have started to eye the Broadway stage and write a musical. And I have been doing that. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m very excited about it. This unusual journey I have had will be an asset. So now I can make millions of dollars and have 20,000 Broadway hits! James Turano is a freelance writer and a former entertainment editor, feature writer, and columnist for national and local magazines and newspapers. He has written official programs for eight Elton John tours since 2003 and is also a Chicago radio personality and host on WGN 720AM. RAVINIA MAGAZINE • JULY 31 – AUGUST 14, 2023 12