In Elton John's live version of "Piano Man", He begins the song with a sudden opening chord(Right before that little opening solo thing he does). Does anybody know what that opening chord is??? I think its a 7th or something but I'm not sure.

Also, that little solo thing he starts off with(before the song really begins). What's the deal with it? Does anybody know what hes soloing in? Is it a jazz scale? Thanx