I was 18 and just graduated Army basic training and on a weekend pass from Fort Ord. My high school best friend and drummer from our garage band bought us tickets to the Oct 25th concert. Festival seating. We had a huge blanket in the outfield with a good view of the stage. Awesome long entertaining concert. Two sets. First set opened with Your Song and second set opened with Funeral For A Friend. I was able to sneak my cassette player in and recorded most of it. Such a great memory. I was hoping Elton would have released a double set album of the concert. I thought a fitting title would have been "The Artful Dodger" with Elton on the cover in that special Dodgers uniform.
Elton has been my musical crush ever since I heard Levon on the radio in 1971 when I was 9. I have bought (or received as gifts) all of his CDs and two of his box sets. My 13th birthday (July 1975) I was gifted Captain Fantastic. Four months later I bought Rock of the Westies and gave it to my best friend's older brother. He gave me the Lady Samantha 8-Track British Import. I repurchased Rock for myself.
I’m a huge Elton fan since my youth and still am! I’ve watched many videos of concerts, interviews, etc. I have to say in my opinion this one was the poorest quality BUT I realize it’s an old video and it’s not going to be clear. I’ve read about this stage in his early career where he changed some of the band, added other backup singers, too many people hanging on the actual stage..seemed disjointed. We didn’t see the entire concert either so I can’t say if it was all this way. Watch the 1980 Central Park Concert! Omg! He and the band were FANTASTIC! The crowd was great too. Of course Elton added a few fun things too.😂Just love him. Thank you Elton & Bernie Taupin for the wonderful songs you gave us and still do.❤
This is really even more amazing since EJ had tried to OD in front of his visiting family including his "Nan" who was to have said, "does this mean we have to go back to England now?"
Dec. 24, 1974 Hammersmith Odeon Christmas concert is much better than this one is sound wise. I never liked stadium concerts myself. Saw the Stones in 1981 in E. Rutherford and the sound wasn't that great bc the venue was too big imo. We all got stoned though...
