Elton John Returns to Caesars Palace

(Newsroom America) -- World-renowned singer, songwriter and performer Elton John has made a triumphant return to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with his all new show, "The Million Dollar Piano."

The consummate showman wowed the opening night audience with a spectacular production featuring his most beloved hits. At the centerpiece of the performance is the show's namesake piano, an engineering marvel featuring more than 68 LED video screens created by Yamaha.

Elton's return to Caesars Palace marks the beginning of a three-year residency at The Colosseum and his second as a Caesars Palace headliner. He is accompanied by his band, which includes Davey Johnstone on guitar, Bob Birch on bass, John Mahon on percussion, Nigel Olsson on drums and Kim Bullard on keyboards with a special appearance by percussionist Ray Cooper.

Nearly four years in the making, the state-of-the-art piano is the perfect accompaniment to Elton's greatest hits displaying imagery to complement the entertainer's fan favorites like "Benny and the Jets," "Rocket Man," "Saturday Night" and "Circle of Life." Creating a whimsical, one-of-a-kind entertainment experience, the piano weighs in at nearly 3,200 pounds and is the brain-child of Elton, 29-year-old Yamaha industrial designer Akie Hinokio and music industry veteran Chris Gero, Yamaha Artist Services vice president.

Completing the show's design team are Mark Fisher and Patrick Woodroffe. Fisher, best known for his design of Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and his work designing the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is the mastermind behind the show's impressive set. Woodroffe conceived and designed the impressive lights display that perfectly augments the set and piano. Woodroffe is best known for his work with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Depeche Mode as well as his work with Martin Scorsese on the Rolling Stones feature, "Shine A Light."

In April 2009, Elton completed a highly successful five-year residency at Caesars Palace with the critically acclaimed "The Red Piano." Originally booked for 75 shows over the course of a three-year run, audience demand for "The Red Piano" was so overwhelming the engagement was extended for a total of 241 shows over a five-year period.

(C) Newsroom America 2011