SAN DIEGO — An Englishman who nearly killed himself through alcoholism changed his life after meeting Elton John. In this Zevely Zone, I previewed the Elton John tribute show called 'The Rocket Man Experience'.
Just as the world's finest musicians pay tribute to Mozart and Beethoven, Tom Cridland has devoted himself to celebrating the music if Sir Elton John. Inspiration comes in many forms and in this case from across the pond.
Tom is from London where he says the time spent in pubs were the highest and lowest moments of his life. That is where he almost drank himself to death.
"Yes, probably on quite a few occasions," said Tom. "I've fallen off of beds on to glass, I nearly blinded myself by being assaulted by a cobblestone in Lisbon. The number of times I've blacked out is probably 50 or 60 times."
On October 13th, 2017, Tom took his last drink. A friendship with Nigel Olsson, the drummer of Elton John then lead to the craziest idea of Tom's life.
"I am not a musician by training at all," said Tom. But when he met Sir Elton John everything changed. "It was a bucket list moment," said Tom. "You can't expect people like Elton John to give you the time of day."
But Elton John did and Tom was so inspired by Elton John's longtime commitment to sobriety, he wants to be a Rocket Man too. Which makes, the next part of this story even more unbelievable. Tom taught himself to play the piano and learned every one of Elton John's hits.
Tom plays all of Elton John's best loved classic hits, album tracks, deep cuts and fan favorites, including Bennie and the Jets, Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, Candle in the Wind, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, I'm Still Standing, Crocodile Rock and Your Song.
Tom wrote a book called Million Dollar Addict and wants anyone struggling with a problem to know the following.
"There is a choice to not feel so bad all of the time," said Tom. Next year he plans to play 135 concerts and title the tour 'The Rocket Man Experience'.
"San Diego I'll be back, and I can't wait to bring the Rocket Man Experience to you," said Tom.
Tom is 33 years old. He has been sober for six years. To learn more about his upcoming concert tour and book click here.