Lucas County Arena lands a date with Elton John

When the $105 million Lucas County Arena opened in October, it was with the promise to lure big-name concerts to Toledo.

So how's this for big: Elton John.

The rock-and-roll legend will play at the arena on Sunday, April 25, concert promoters plan to announce Monday.

Approximately 8,100 tickets for the show, at $139, $89, and $39, will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Lucas County Arena box office, 500 Jefferson Ave., and Ticketmaster locations. More information is available at 419-321-5007.

John, who hasn't performed in Toledo since 1993 at University of Toledo's Savage Hall, is the latest in a string of well-known artists who have performed or are scheduled to play the arena, including country star Carrie Underwood, whose April 24 concert sold out in a matter of minutes.

John has been recording since 1969 and is one of the best-selling rock artists ever, with hits such as "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"

"We've been fortunate to land some really great artists," said Al Purdie, marketing manager for Lucas County Arena and SeaGate Convention Centre. "I think the key is people just come out to support the acts we've brought, and the promoters, when they actually get here, are amazed with the arena."

The arena has hosted five sold-out performances, including its first act, comic-ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, on Oct. 10. Since then, two shows for the holiday-themed Trans-Siberian Orchestra, country band Rascal Flatts, and the classic rock package of REO Speedwagon, Styx, and 38 Special have played to capacity crowds.

Positive buzz about the concert successes and an overall favorable opinion of the Lucas County Arena have spread through much of the music industry, Mr. Purdie said.

"Even with the last concert, REO, word got out to a promoter of a potentially nice act" that may want to perform at the arena, he said. "Potentially somebody who's not a country or rock act."

Meanwhile, the arena is loading up on a diverse group of events and concerts, including Stars on Ice (April 27), Tyler Perry's "Madea's Big Happy Family" (May 5), Walking With Dinosaurs (May 7-9), and WWE Raw (May 24), which will be televised live on the USA network.

Landing an A-list performer such as John wasn't easy. "It was just very detailed," Mr. Purdie said. "They were very exact in the specs and things they wanted."

John represents the biggest test yet for the arena, with the premium seats priced nearly triple the most expensive Underwood tickets, and the cost of fitting a major arena act in a mid-size venue.

Mr. Purdie remains cautiously optimistic that the higher prices won't keep John from giving Lucas County Arena its seventh sellout.

"It's hard to predict what will happen," he said, "[But] I think with the legacy of Elton John the show will sell really well."

Contact Kirk Baird at

kbaird@theblade.com

or 419-724-6734.