'Rocket Man' star is having a blast in Elton John tribute show, in Providence July 16

He was a Scot, living in Florida, playing the music of one of Britain’s most famous artists in local tiki bars when Rus Anderson had an epiphany, or let’s say a rocket illuminated the sky with diamonds and his act came together.

He'd been playing all sorts of music since he started gigging while attending college in Florida for media relations and hospitality. About 15 years ago, people started telling him he reminded them of Elton John in the 1970s, which sent him to YouTube to comb through videos and his wife to her sewing machine to re-create some of the outrageous costumes featured in the clips, from towering plumage to a glittery Swarovski-crystal-studded tuxedo.

“I hadn’t seen what he used to be like, but I certainly knew the songs," says Anderson, 42. "We zeroed in on ideas, and I decided to start doing tribute shows locally.”

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Today’s version of this show, which has since earned approval from Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, takes the stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center on July 16.

Wearing costumes his wife, Somali Rose, still creates, Anderson perches at his piano and offers strikingly authentic takes on songs like “Crocodile Rock,” “The Bitch is Back” and “Pinball Wizard.” His favorite became the show’s title because “it’s one of the most unique pieces of music and the most relatable songs, lyric-wise.”

“It’s about how hard it can be to get up, look after your family and friends, while feeling alone sometimes,” Anderson says of “Rocket Man.” “It’s also about having a shoulder to lean on.”

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While “things moved fast” back in the late 2000s — agents and larger venues calling to represent and book Anderson — the real indication of success was the call a few years ago from Elton John’s representatives. They were planning his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour and needed to re-create historic footage of John at iconic concerts in the 1970s that could play on towering screens during the show.

“Apparently, Elton John and his husband looked at video of me and said, ‘That’s him, that’s the guy!’” Anderson says. “I was flown to California to film videos of the big moments in Elton’s career, like the concerts at the Troubadour and Dodger Stadium.”

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Anyone catching the Elton John concert at Gillette Stadium later this month will be watching Anderson in the videos, and maybe buying merchandise featuring Anderson as John.

But, don’t classify him as an impersonator, Anderson says.

“I don’t characterize myself that way. It’s more about capturing the essence of what a prolific performer he was. He could be banging out heavy rock songs and then slow it down for a beautiful love song,” he says. “I studied everything I could about his career in the '70s, because the goal is to put people in the seats back then.”

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Between songs, Anderson converses with the audience as himself, complete with Scottish burr from his youth in Glasgow. The two-hour, five-costume change show appeals to baby boomers who might have attended shows in the 1970s, as well as newer teenage fans.

“What I like about Elton John is that he never took himself seriously, but he took the music very seriously. It’s about what you bring of yourself to the performance,” says Anderson, who, incidentally, beat out Justin Timberlake to work on the “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” concert videos.

If you go ...

What: "Rocket Man"

When: July 16

Where: Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence

Tickets: $25-$35

Info: ppacri.org, (401) 421-2787

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'Rocket Man' star is having a blast in Elton John tribute show