Rocket Man: A Live Orchestral Experience
is pianist/vocalist/arranger/creator Michael Sobie's fresh symphonic homage to Elton John.
The idea for Rocket Man was born while Michael was the pops pianist for the Grand Rapids Symphony (2012-2017), and after several much smaller iterations and dreaming of the show for over a decade, Michael finally began creating Rocket Man in fall of 2023.
After over 1000 hours of work on his own arrangements, orchestrations, and nearly anything else that goes into producing one's own concert, Rocket Man premiered in Santa Monica on May 17, 2024. A symphony orchestra made up of LA's top session musicians filled St. Monica Catholic Church with incredible sound and energy as Michael performed 21 legendary hits such as "Bennie and the Jets," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and, of course, "Rocket Man."
Contact Michael for more information about the show, which is scored for full symphony orchestra as listed below.
SONG LISTING
Funeral for a Friend
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues
Daniel
Something About the Way You Look Tonight
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Crocodile Rock
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Tiny Dancer
Take Me to the Pilot
Bennie and the Jets
My Father's Gun
Philadelphia Freedom
Levon
Honky Cat
Rocket Man
Your Song
Burn Down the Mission
Curtains
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
INSTRUMENTATION
Piano/Lead Vocals (Michael Sobie)
Piccolo/Flute
Flute/Alto Flute
Oboe
English Horn
Clarinet
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
French Horn (2)
Trumpet/Flugelhorn (2)
Trombone (2)
Bass Trombone
Percussion (3)
Drum Set
Electric Bass
Backup Vocals/Chorus
Violin 1 (section)
Violin 2 (section)
Viola (section)
Cello (section)
Synthesizer (string support)