The Allentown Symphony Pops concert July 13 will be the last with Ronald Demkee waving the baton on the podium as ASO Associate Conductor and Pops Conductor.

Demkee, whose last concert as Allentown Symphony Orchestra tuba player was April 13 and 14, is retiring.

Demkee will continue on the podium as conductor of the Allentown Band, which performs in Miller Symphony Hall.

ASO Pops presents “Remember When Rock Was Young - The Elton John Experience Starring Craig A. Meyer,” 7:30 p.m. July 13, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

Allentown Symphony Orchestra Pops concerts have been particular favorites of the public. On the podium, Demkee exudes resounding enthusiasm, engaging ASO musicians, guests performers and audiences alike.

Demkee’s retirement was announced in January 2023. He has served 45 years as ASO Principal Tuba, 41 years as ASO Associate Conductor and ASO Pops Conductor and 30 years as ASO Personnel Manager.

“Without Ron’s guidance and leadership, we would not be offering the variety of programming currently on stage and I am so appreciative,” says Al Jacobsen, Allentown Symphony Executive Director.

“This concert [the Elton John tribute] is proof that there is something for everyone at Miller Symphony Hall,” Jacobsen says.

“Everyone seems to enjoy the music of Elton John. It’s light, lyrical, rhythmic and accessible to listeners of all ages. I think this is especially true of his score for ‘The Lion King,’” says Demkee.

The concert pulls out all the stops to include not only the ASO Pops, but guest artists Craig A. Meyer, piano, vocals, and The Rocket Band: Doug Jacobs, guitar; Pat Strawser; keyboard; Michael Lamond, bass; Wayne Viar, drums, and vocalists Adena Brumer, Kelly Fletcher and Courtney Loner.

Meyer has toured internationally and recorded with Barry Manilow and Frankie Valli and headlined on cruise lines.

On Broadway, Meyer created the role of Clinton Badger in “Meet Me In St. Louis.” Meyer toured nationally as Skimbleshanks in “Cats,” The Red Caboose in “Starlight Express” and Mike Nulty in “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.”

Meyer worked with Tim Rice and Elton John on “The Lion King” soundtrack.

Throughout his career, Meyer’s resemblance and vocal similarities to Elton John drew comments. Meyer began impersonating Sir Elton in concert.

The ASO Pops concert opens with Elton John’s 1974 hit, “The Bitch is Back,” which at the time was controversial when some radio stations refused to air the song because of its “questionable language.”

Next is “Philadelphia Freedom” (1975), a tribute to John’s friend tennis star Billie Jean King, who was on the Philadelphia Freedoms professional tennis team.

The next two selections are from John’s 1973 album, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” The title track, which references the film, “The Wizard of Oz,” alludes to leaving behind fame and fortune to search for something more meaningful, while “Bennie and the Jets” (1974) is a satire of the music industry.

The wonderful collaboration between John and lyricist Sir Tim Rice is heard in “Broadway Suite.” featuring selections from the musicals, “The Lion King” and “Aida.”

Popular belief is that “Tiny Dancer” (1971) relates to John co-songwriter Bernie Taupin’s first wife, who indeed was a seamstress for the band. Taupin, however, has said that the song reflects the spirit of experiences he and John had while in California during the fall of 1970.

“Honky Cat” (1972) and “Take Me to the Pilot” (1970) close the concert’s first-half.

After intermission, the program continues with several ballads of loss and heartbreak, including “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” (1973), “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (1976) and “Candle in the Wind” (1973), the latter in honor of Marilyn Monroe and rewritten in 1997 as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales.

John’s renditions of The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” (1974) and The Who’s “Pinball Wizard” from the 1975 film adaptation of Pete Townshend’s “Tommy” are followed by John’s first international Top 10 chart single, “Your Song” (1970), and the popular “Crocodile Rock” (1972).

The concert closes with “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” (1973), inspired by co-writer Taupin’s raucous teenage days, and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (1974) with heartfelt lyrics written at a time when John struggled with fame, relationships and loneliness.

Says Demkee, “I have had the good fortune to be a part of the Allentown Symphony for almost half a century, and, of course, I will miss it.

“But I will always cherish many fond memories of performing masterworks of western music repertoire, the magical musical highlights, spectacular guest artists, and perhaps most of all, the people.

“Optimistically, the many valued friendships made with many of the wonderful musicians and staff will endure, albeit not seen on a regular basis,” Demkee says.

“Ron [Demkee] is one of the finest musicians and people I have ever met and worked with,” says Diane Wittry, Allentown Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor.

“Everything Ron does is done very professionally and with graciousness and a smile. He has a gift for bringing people together around music and has dedicated his life to doing this,” Wittry continues.

“We were so fortunate to have him sharing his talents with the Allentown Symphony for so many years. He will be greatly missed,” says Wittry.

“Remember When Rock Was Young - The Elton John Experience Starring Craig A. Meyer,” 7:30 p.m. July 13, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. Tickets: box office; 610-432-6715; https:///www.millersymphonyhall.org

“Classical View” is a column about classical music, concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus Editor, pwillistein@tnon-line.com