Is Elton John representative of Kansas City? Are there enough ghey people and sentimental old white ladies to fill the Sprint Center on opening night?

When I first heard the Elton John was going to be the opening act at The Sprint Center I have to say that I had mixed feelings.

Obviously, there is no one with a bigger reputation in the music industry than Elton John.

John has been one of the dominant forces in rock and popular music, especially in the 1970s. John has sold more than 250 million albums plus hundreds of millions of singles, making him one of the most successful artists of all time. He has more than 50 Top 40 hits including seven consecutive #1 U.S. albums, 59 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, 4 #2 hits, and nine #1 hits. His success has had a profound impact on popular music and has contributed to the continued popularity of the piano in rock and roll. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Elton John #49 on their list of The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

HOWEVER, here's a question that nobody is asking:

Is Elton John representative of Kansas City's culture, people, point of view?

The guy has done some amazing work in raising awareness about AIDS and he's even attacked Censorship in the U.S. both of which are great causes and things that most people in this country care about deeply.

Also, he has been an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq which is also a position that a lot of people in this town hold as well.

But then, let's consider that John was quoted last year in a candid interview saying that he thinks that religion should be banned because it promotes hatred against homosexuals.

That's not exactly a cause that would get a lot of support in the middle of the Bible belt.

Also, the guy has been just as lavish with his money as his performances . . . It's been noted that the dude has spent as much as £30 million in just under two years - an average of £1.5 million a month with a notable £293,000 on flowers between January 1996 and September 1997 . . . That's not exactly a lifestyle that speaks to the people of Kansas City.

And let's be honest . . . The guy has had a brilliant career but it's not like he's on the top of his game . . . His hits are fewer and far between now and they often come in the form of songs on animated movie soundtracks and remakes of his formerly great songs. His appearance in Kansas City seems to merely confirm the longstanding notion that people either come here to start or finish their career . . . KC rarely sees trends, athletes or performers at their peek.

But more importantly, Elton John just doesn't seem like an act that "says" Kansas City. Let's be honest about where we live . . . This is a cowtown. A top level country music performer would have been more appropriate considering that so many of the high ranking radio stations in this area are dedicated to the format - A fact that I don't like either but that's reality.

Elton John is a safe bet and his built in fan base of ghey people and hip, old white ladies probably have enough money to afford the tickets that are undoubtedly going to be high priced. However, it just seems like the choice doesn't jibe well the character of this town . . . A high living, British ghey guy who hates religion isn't really the Kansas City that I know.

Finally, even if you think Elton John is the best and most wonderful way to begin KC's 300 million dollar bet . . . The follow-up of an empty arena without an anchor tenant still doesn't inspire much confidence.