Sam Hyde as Elton John and Cam Crawford as Billy Joel; the pair known as Cam and Sam are coming to Palmy. Photo / Paul Howell Photography
Sam Hyde as Elton John and Cam Crawford as Billy Joel; the pair known as Cam and Sam are coming to Palmy. Photo / Paul Howell Photography
Move over Elton John and Billy Joel, some new pianists are in town.
Award-winning duo Cam (Crawford) and Sam (Hyde) debuted their tribute show Elton John vs Billy Joel in 2022 at The Eat, Drink, Play Festival, where they won Best in Play.
Now they are taking their show, complete with grand pianos, dramatic costumes and lots of great songs, on a nationwide tour, and Palmerston North is one of their stops.
Ahead of their Palmy trip, Ilona Hanne caught up with the duo to find out a bit more.
Cam (Billy Joel): A mutual friend (Matt McLaughlin) was at a duelling pianos gig in Vegas several years ago. He tagged us both in a Facebook message saying ‘you guys should do this’. We’d actually never met, even though we live in the same suburb in Wellington and know loads of the same people.
Where did the idea for this show, of having two of the biggest piano musicians in the history of piano pop fight it out on stage, come from?
Sam (Elton John): I’ve been wanting to do one for years, knowing Elton and Billy did one themselves.
Cam: We both love Elton and Billy’s music and had been playing a bunch of their tunes in our duelling piano shows so it was a logical step bringing the Elton vs Billy show to life.
Was there ever a fight or disagreement as to who was going to play who in the show?
Sam: No, I was always going to be Elton.
Cam: My voice suits Billy’s tunes and I already had a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. Sam not only does a great Elton, but he enjoys the bling too.
Why is your musician the best?
Sam: He [Elton] is the wonder kid. Good at everything he does. Magic literally falls off him.
Cam: In all honesty, I enjoy each artist’s music equally. Elton for his pop writing sensibility and Billy for his soulful touches and power.
Out of the opposite musician’s playlist, what one song do you envy and why?
Cam: Yellow Brick Road is an epic tune with a great melody. It’s always a hugely popular sing-along.
Sam: Uptown Girl because it’s just such a fun piece of pop genius.
Sam Hyde as Elton John. Photo / Paul Howell Photography
Do you dress up for the show at all — how do you channel the musician you are representing?
Cam: Yes, I get into a suit and tie and put on a pair of sunglasses. Billy is definitely the more conservative of the two, but he also enjoys to have a laugh which is something we bring to this duo.
Sam: Well, it’s the only time in my life I wear 6-foot-high wigs, so I guess you could say I’m dressed up.
Have you played in Palmerston North before?
Cam: Our very first theatre shows were two back to back nights at the Globe in Palmerston North early last year which we loved, those foundation nights helped us kick start our journey, so we have a soft spot for Palmy. From those nights it’s been a meteoric rise, we’ve performed to tens of thousands of theatre-goers across NZ, added a full sound production and lighting crew, plus introduced more amazing costumes and hit songs
Who should come and see the two of you perform this Elton John vs Billy Joel show?
Sam: Anyone with a love of live performance, whether they are Elton or Billy fans or not.
Cam: Ultimately, it’s a show for all ages. Pretty much anyone who enjoys the music of Elton or Billy or is simply looking for a great night of entertainment.
Cam Crawford as Billy Joel. Photo / Paul Howell Photography
The Details:
What: Cam and Sam’s Elton John vs Billy Joel 2024 national tour
When: Sunday, October 6, 7.30pm
Where: Globe Theatre, 312 Main St, Palmerston North
Win: Thanks to Cam and Sam, we have a double pass for one lucky winner to go and enjoy this show. To be in to win, simply email manawatuguardian@nzme.co.nz with Elton v Billy in the subject line. Include your name and contact details in the body of the email. Competition closes at noon, Tuesday, October 1, and the winner will be contacted that afternoon.
Ilona Hanne is a Taranaki-based journalist and news director who covers breaking and community news from across the lower North Island. She has worked for NZME since 2011.
