See Elton John on Cape Cod - well, almost. 'Almost Elton John' does 'glam years' tribute.

Craig A. Meyer taught himself to play piano in the '70s and '80s using the music and movements of Elton John ― and it never went away.

Today, Meyer, known as "Almost Elton John," is on the road 200 days a year, mostly performing his show “Remember When Rock Was Young ― the Elton John Tribute.” The show will be held at the Cape Symphony May 18-19, with a third show added at 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $32-$72.

The show starts with “The Bitch Is Back,” a song Meyer remembers being controversial when DJs would play it on the radio after its 1974 release.

Asked if he has a favorite Elton John song, Meyer said “Every song I do in my show, I love very much. But there is a riff in the opening of ‘Your Song’ that I love where it’s just me and the piano ― or in this case, also the strings.”

Meyer remembered once looking up to see a woman in an audience crying at that point and, he said, it’s not an isolated incident.

“His music holds seed memories for me and for other people and you can see those feelings just flooding over people as they listen,” Meyer said.

Meyer, who has been playing the Elton John tribute for 15 years, said he portrays John’s “glam years” with the bright, feathery costumes.

Meyer’s band of more than a decade features himself on piano and vocals, four musicians and three additional vocalists. It’s an honor, he said, to perform with a group like the Cape Symphony.

“Symphony shows are special on so many levels. To have a conductor (with) a 50-piece orchestra supporting you, is the ultimate thing,” Meyer said.

Carolyn Watson, an award-winning conductor of symphonies and opera, will be guest conductor.

Meyer said growing up, he was influenced by the music of Billy Joel and Barry Manilow, as well as Sir Elton John. Meyer worked with fellow Broadway veteran Donnie Kehr on “Piano Men,” a tribute show to John and Joel.

Before “Almost Elton John,” Meyer was a performer on stage and screen.

On Broadway, he created the role of Clinton Badger in “Meet Me in St. Louis” and toured in “Cats,” as well as having guest spots on TV shows including “Will and Grace” and “General Hospital.”

His film credits include “Leatherheads” with George Clooney, “Identity Thief” with Melissa McCarthy and “Joyful Noise” with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah.

“I’ve been fortunate to lead the life I’ve led,” said Meyer, who spoke in a phone interview before his performances on a week-long RCI Radiance of the Seas cruise of Vancouver and Alaska.

Based in Atlanta, Meyer takes the travel in stride. He is the son of a Lutheran minister and attended nine schools in 12 years.

“We lived in Hong Kong for a year in the early '70s when I was in second grade,” said Meyer.

Meyer’s vast experiences included working with Sir Elton John on the music for Disney’s “The Lion King.”

“We were not on-set at the same time so I have never met him,” said Meyer, adding that he is rarely recognized off-stage as the singer, which is ok with him.

“I’m happy being me and I'm glad he’s him," Meyer said. "There's only one Elton John and he’s amazing. I’m lucky to go out and do my portrayal of him."

Gwenn Friss is the editor of CapeWeek and covers entertainment, restaurants and the arts. Contact her at gfriss@capecodonline.com. Follow her or X, formerly Twitter: @dailyrecipeCCT

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Symphony to play with Craig A. Meyer as 'Almost Elton John'