At 7:30 p.m. next Thursday, Aug. 29, Greggie and The Jets, “the most authentic sounding Elton John Tribute Band ever,” will present the first concert of the fall season in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

The fall season concerts are being sponsored by Ward Manufacturing and C&N.

Audiences everywhere describe Greg Vadimsky’s onstage performances as “channeling” Elton John. Vadimsky has been singing and playing Elton John music since he was 8 years old. 

“Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s songs just captured my soul — probably since I was always a bit of a lonely kid, like Elton was,” Vadimsky said. He started out playing piano and singing Elton’s songs by ear, until his Grandmother Sophia bought him a set of the glam rocker’s music books when Vadimsky was 8.

Born in Somerville, New Jersey, Vadimsky had lessons as a classical pianist starting at the age of 5 and went on to win Florida state competitions at 10 and 12. He has been performing in his own bands since he was a teenager and now plays about 150 shows a year. 

“As I matured and improved, I stopped lessons at age 15,” he continued. “My teacher and I just couldn’t figure out where else to go with it.” What else could he do? Vadimsky became a professional musician with his first band, Spectre, which went on to have a record contract with original songs just as he was turning 18.

Since then, Vadimsky has shared the stage with many. He is a singer/songwriter and penned dozens of solo studio recordings, albums, and feature film soundtracks.

For almost 28 years, he and Brian “Big-B” Arnold, on drums and vocals, have toured the United States and United Kingdom with credits including Pat Benatar and Bad Company. Big-B is also on drums and vocals in their Elton John tribute, Greggie and The Jets.

In the Greggie and The Jets shows, band members share with the audience the stories Elton and Bernie Taupin have told about writing their classic songs. Expect to hear old favorites as well as deep album cuts, including “Rocket Man”, “Levon”, “Funeral for A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”, “I’m Still Standing”, and many more. 

“We are told at every show that we sonically re-create how the classic recordings sounded,” said Vadimsky. “The music is the most important thing, with the outfits just being the icing on the cake.” There are at least two changes of glitzy costumes, glasses, mohair suits and electric boots. 

The concert is BYOB with audience members encouraged to bring their favorite snacks and beverages and sit at a table with family and friends.

Admission to this Elton John Tribute concert is $30. For tickets and to reserve a table, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220.  

For more information about the fall concerts, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220 or visit deanecenter.com.