@@marciaturnbull8082 Thank you for watching Marcia! So glad you enjoyed my video. I hope you'll check out my other videos; I have several others about Elton John's music and I have interviewed people involved in his music. Cheers!
sharing your sight with friends with excellent work... congrads... I saw Eltons first performance while at Art College in Maryland. we were all amazed he just kept playing all night at a huge stadium away by his charisma
Obviously you know I love Nigel’s drumming. This is when he played on my album. Nigel Olsson Recording Session with Dee Murray - Elton John Band th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
@OnlyKidWithCamera ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVING THIS POST!!!!Thank you for posting this. You remind me of me and my musical partner in crime talking about all the pieces of the whole with passion..me being a bass player .anybody that recognises real REAL tasty bass playing and gets it and digs it like you clearly do is all tip top and tickety boo....SUBSCRIBED!!!!!! Keep it coming - Fondest Regards...Darren Sinnott UK 🇬🇧
Here's my Elton John story and unfortunately I don't have photos☹️ In late 1973 or so my dad was doing merchandising for Elton handling all his t-shirts/posters/paraphernalia. I was seven years old at the time. So one day my dad says to me "Do you want to go meet Elton John" I said sure but I wasn't overly excited. I was obsessed with the Beatles (still am) and no one else could compare but my dad frequently played all the EJ albums so I was familiar with his music. On a Saturday morning we go down to a Hollywood sound stage where EJ was rehearsing with the whole band including Nigel, Dee, and Davey. I was introduced to Elton and he shook my hand. He was wearing a powder blue outfit with platform shoes, trademark glasses shaped like hearts or apples. There were about 14 people there and I watched him play most of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. I found some spare drum sticks and was playing along with them. That's pretty much all i remember but it was amazing!
I'm a musician also and my first love of music is also Elton John. I was 10 years old when Goodbye Yellow Brick Road came out in 1973. That album changed my life and my musical direction. I started playing piano at 4 yrs old and by 8 yrs old I was the piano player at the church that I went to with my mom. Started learning bass at 13. Picked up a guitar to seriously play at 19. Been in local bands playing clubs since I was 17. I'm 60 now, still playing almost every weekend and Elton is still my hero. All his albums are very dear to my heart. I've enjoyed playing Elton tunes over the years. What an influence he was on me.
Funny , I was 13 when GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD came , love this album , big fan of Nigel , and I still think that Nigel and Dee are one of the tightest rhythm sections ever, right there with Bonham and Jones....love all of Elton's stuff up to Caribou....some of the greatest music and one of the greatest bands on the planet, we were blessed to come up in the time we did people, THANK YOU DEAR LORD SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME COME UP AT THIS TIME IN LIFE WITH THE GREATEST MUSIC EVER......AMEN.......
I got pictures when I was 3 with giant headphones on listening to and singing to Bennie and the jets....will always love that song, along with about 200 other Elton songs
Holy shit That documentary brought me the greatest joy I've felt in a long time. I just turned 60 the other day. This is the soundtrack of my life. Fantastic work. Lump in my throat
I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever received a nicer comment on this video. I mean that sincerely. To know that this video brought you to tears is probably the greatest compliment I could ever receive. I didn’t make the music, but I really tried to convey the emotion I feel when I hear this music. Thank you for the kind words. I hope you’ll check out my other videos; I’ve done several on the Elton John band. Cheers!
@@johnscialfa7391 As I recall, the first time Elton met Bob Dylan, Dylan complimented Elton's singing in Tumbleweed's "Ballad of a well-known gun," which had an excellent vocal by Elton, I think; clean and strong. That bucked Elton up.
Dee Murray was SO underrated. I love hearing the Here and There live album, his playing on Rocket Man is so subtle in the high range and reminds me of Chris Squire. Love this band.
What I loved about Elton John is the way he brought back the piano as the primary Rock and Roll instrument as it was in the early days of Rock n Roll with Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. We did start to tire of some of the "guitar heroes" in the early 70s.....you know the usual suspects. It did help that Elton and his band were A1 talents to boot. and the songwriting was top notch.
Wonderful video! Im only 24 but I have been so lucky to have met Nigel, Elton, Davey and Ray and they are all so lovely and kind. They are fantastic musicians and all round great people! Awesome work ❤
Glad you enjoyed it! Very cool you’ve been able to hang with those guys. They’re all typically British gentleman who have their feet firmly on the ground. Dee was not only ine of the coolest musicians I’ve met; he’s one of nicest people I’ve ever known!
This is the best documentary I have ever seen on the band. It's a labour of true love of astonishing artistic achievements. I salute you because it's just so true. Astonishing and with such genuine respect you present this monument. I'm gonna share this with literally everyone I know.
This is awesome!! I too fell in love with Elton and the Band at a very young age and have followed them for over 50 years. It's so great to see all the clips and hear all your insights and passion for their music. Thank you so much!!
Thanks for watching! I hope your check out my other videos as I’ve done several similar deep dives into Elton’s music. I’ve also done some recent interviews that you would be interested in. Thanks for the kind words!
This band kicks ass!!!! They’re so good. Good luck finding anything in this day & age that you could even try and compare to these guys. I love Davey’s playing. His sound… his vibrato… his ability to just play a totally different and randomized version of the guitar solos is so cool. Just listening to him on this version of Funeral/Love Lies Bleeding is some of the best live playing anywhere. He’s got it all and everything he plays has such feeling. I love all those vibrato & volume swells he does in Funeral & Rocket Man & some others. Very melodic solos.
As I'm sure you can tell I heartily agree with you! Thanks for watching! Have you watched my other Elton videos? I think you'll enjoy these: th-cam.com/video/03EY5Vq-XNk/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/Nf_gdw6aC8w/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/VEaCrRdsaFI/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html
Yep, Elton and band plus Bernie is magic Not many people understand how much incredible talent combined. One song relevant to today’s times is a favorite of mine called “ticking” Ahead of their time❤
It’s good to know that there is someone else that really appreciates Ticking. It is an epic piece of music. I know the content is tragic and some might say depressing, but I still, to this day, do not understand how anyone can write such a deeply felt piece of music.
I told myself I would just watch a few minutes of this video before I went to bed. I couldn't stop watching it. Truly one of the best Elton John documentaries I've ever seen. Thank you.
Wow, thank you for the great comments. You really made my day! I hope you’ll check out my other Elton videos. There’s a lot of good stuff there! Thank you Holly!
I so appreciate you, Jon, and everyone here recognizing the greatness of the BAND. I knew right way something was wrong in 1976 when I picked up his album "Rock of the Westies" and found out he had fired Dee and Nigel. Didn't know as much about Dee at that time, but I absolutely loved Nigel Olsson as my favorite drummer in the world at that time! The spell was broken, and the magic was gone (for me, at least) and the unthinkable began to happen: I was losing interest in my teenage boyhood music idol Elton John. It was a great disillusionment for me, and I became something of a musical refugee after that, trying to fill the void with the Beatles (no knock on them, but I learned of them second hand. I discovered Elton John myself) and all sorts of very worthwhile artists whom I would be listening to for a while, but never really took them to my heart the way I took the Elton John Band, as this musical unit is most properly called. I really thought that music was over for me, until I ran into the Norwegian musical duo Nico and Vinz, who brought something alive in me very similar emotionally to the way the Elton John Band in that great period, which really suprised me, because I never thought I could ever enjoy music the way I did in those days. But that's a story for another time. I am so grateful that you're bringing out this history, as at the time it was happening I think no one was really knowing what the hell was going on, and I think we all felt all alone with our loss.
I want to thank you again for the great comments. I’m thinking about doing some live stream things, and it would be great to converse with you. I really appreciate everything you’ve written so far. Stay tuned!
@@JonBlackstone This is so incredible. Mr. Blackstone... any idea where I can find/buy the version of "Rocket Man" from the footage at the 40:00 mark? I would love to hear the entirety of this masterpiece. Thanks for all of your beautiful work!
@@brianw3656 Thank you Brian! Almost all the live tracks are from the “Here and There” album. The only exceptions are the first 3 songs in the video. If you watch later in the video I explain the Here and There album in depth. Thank you for the kind words. There’s more on the way!
@OnlyKidWithCamera I was 10 years old (5th grade) in 1974 when I sat next to my future friend, John. He got me hooked onto my first favorite singer/band, Elton John. I lost interest in his music 10 years later. Having you explain the finest of details in their music from the 70's is like starting over again. Thanks for the incredible journey. ❤️
The guys he replaced them with had been around for years , and in fact were the band for the first 3 LP’s (if I’m remembering correctly). Caleb Quay and Roger Pope had been with EJ for years off/on.
Thanks so much for highlighting the talents of Nigel, Dee and Davey! Elton created some of the best music of all time with them. The first Elton album I ever purchased with my own money was "Don't Shoot Me," which I chose because of the song, "Daniel," and soon loved the whole album. And later that year came "Goodbye Yellowbrick Road," which blew me away. Before long, I had his entire back catalogue and loved it all. Again, thanks for highlighting the Elton John Band, whose talents, along with that of producer Gus Dudgeon (whom Elton called "the fifth member of the band"), created THE classic Elton John albums, culminating in the brilliant, "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy." We really owe the band so much!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the episode. And I really appreciate what you wrote. I couldn’t agree more! I just uploaded the fixed version of the episode which has a very cool ending. That was missing from the one you watched. It’ll be available at 12:30 PM Pacific standard time today!
Thanks for watching and the kind words! Have you watched my other Elton videos? I think you'll enjoy these: th-cam.com/video/03EY5Vq-XNk/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/Nf_gdw6aC8w/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/VEaCrRdsaFI/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html
This band not in the Hall of Fame is really hard to believe. Criminal in oversight. Recovering from a pretty serious case of Covid, but that was a fun hour and a half. Thank you very much.
@@870ChrisCook Thank you for watching! I'm glad it helped you pass some of your recovery. I have other Elton videos you might want to check out including this one: th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for the kind words. This was a labor of love for me as you can probably tell. 😎 I hope it opens the minds of music fans to the incomparable work they did.
1 diamond, 40 platinum or multi-platinum, and 23 gold albums, over 50 Top 40 hits, and more than 300 million records sold worldwide. WHERE DOES THE UNDERRATED PART COME IN??
@@septictopix4797 just a stab in the dark mate but it was a very rich and glorious most likely the peak of rock time there and the critics were probably not as knowledgeable and follow the leader ensued in the media which was how we gorged on our favourites no internet (thank God). So the bands I won't even attempt to name there was a plethora of legendary acts and maybe the EJ BAND Didn't get the love it would have normally, also punk and new wave disco post punk and they just were sitting there on their superb output. I'm a bit mystified yeah record sales don't lie. Mystery but like Jon said how there not in hall of fame is outrageous.
a commercial rocket to the stratosphere, incredibly famous and succesful but critically ignored while lesser trios/bands kept winning "contests"@@septictopix4797
@@JonBlackstone As a huge EJ and BT fan, I love coming across videos like these from music people with a deep knowledge of and love for great music. I enjoyed your video about Dee and Nigel, too.
Finally! A compilation and celebration of the greatest that was- The Elton John Band. Every person in this band is an exceptional musician, and together, unstoppable. Thank you, Jon Blackstone, for your excellence in pulling this together. I've consumed Elton for 50 years, and there is stuff I've never seen or heard before. What a treasure this is!
Thank you so much! You made my day! I made this video because I've always felt the work these guys did has never been given proper respect. Have you watched my other Elton videos? I think you'll enjoy these: th-cam.com/video/03EY5Vq-XNk/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/Nf_gdw6aC8w/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/VEaCrRdsaFI/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html
@@JonBlackstone You made MY day! I’m sure I’ve seen your other videos because I’m always scouting for new Elton stuff but I’ll be sure ti check them all out. Thank you thank you!
I was so very fortunate to be at that legendary concert on Thanksgiving 1974! I will never forget it as long as I live! You could literally feel Madison Square Garden practically lift off the ground when John Lennon took the stage
I really discovered Elton John when I was in the 6th grade with GYBR. I absolutely wore that record out. After discovering EJ, I went out and bought everything that I could get my hands on that had anything to do with Elton John. For the longest time, I was positive that Nigel Olsson was Native American. Lol. After a few years, I had everything that Elton John had ever made. I was hooked for life.
That's so funny! I thought Nigel was Native American too; mainly because of the jewelry he wore around his neck in his photo in the Caribou album. I had totally forgotten about that until you reminded me. Thanks for watching!
I was a massive fan through the 70s and imbibed, inhaled, gorged on anything Elton did. Unfortunately never got to see him live but watching your video and seeing your appreciation of these drum fills and bass runs, not to mention the guitar, piano, vocals and percussion parts that are branded into my then teenage soul, has brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much.
JON, THIS IS SO EXTRAORDINARILY BRILLIANT, I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN! Your presentation is authentic, heartfelt, (from both of your perspectives as a professional and as a fan), technically accurate, and exceptionally well-informed; I applaud you and far more importantly, I thank you. I too am a child of the 70's (similar professional artistic and "other side of the glass" record-making background, so yeah... I get it...); you illustrated and expressed the zeitgeist of the time - as experienced through the lens of music - beautifully. I watched the section on the Thanksgiving '74 MSG gigs multiple times, tears streaming down my face. My older sister converted me into a dedicated E.J.B. fan when GBYBR was released (anyone who listened to NYC rock/pop radio couldn't avoid being inundated with Elton in those years, but it was the album tracks like "Funeral/LLB" that were really transformative...) and by virtue of Dad's business connections, WE WERE AT THOSE GIGS! A band experiencing and sharing the peak output of their creative live-performance mastery and command? A band on fire? An incontrovertible example of what is meant when the term, "tight" is used? You bet. (316 live gigs between 1968 and 1973. By the time the GBYBR tour was in motion they were in peak form...). To say that those concerts were magic beyond description, especially to me as a 9-year old, would be a severe understatement. Your coverage and commentary of those gigs pushed buttons and evoked an even deeper level of cherished memories, memories that have provided a much needed emotional anchor and have helped to sustain me during these utterly confusing and challenging times we humans have been living through in the 21st Century. Once upon a time, melody-centric rock and pop music of the style so exquisitely elucidated here, not only drove the culture, contributing a reference that (for better or worse) helped many of us form our worldview and to figure out who we were and who, perhaps, we wanted to be. Beyond that though (in my not-always-so-humble opinion), the music of that period - E.J.B. Band exemplifying this perfectly - embodied what I refer to as , "the promise of a better tomorrow", a sense that things would be at least okay, if not significantly better as we embraced the future and navigated our way through adulthood. At risk of sounding like the proverbial old guy shouting at the clouds, before MTV shifted the paradigm to a platform whereby musical talent, a band's/artist's marketability and artistic relevance became tied so heavily to their physical appearance, and before Wall Street got involved and analysts at Merrill or Bear-Stearns (or some other white-collar criminal enterprise) dictated to label execs when a particular record needed to be released , "because we've already booked the revenue for the quarter"; before all that, those records and the artists that crafted them (at least for some of us), helped us to define our fundamental humanity; for others it is not mere hyperbole to posit that those records "saved lives", if you will. You nailed it.. something tells me you, as well, have lived it. AND... So nice to see Dee Murray getting even a fraction of the long-overdue recognition for his magnificent, usually under-appreciated contributions. He departed far too young (you apparently managed to contract he and Nigel for session work... well done) but the work is still as fresh, innovative and above all else, melodic as it ever was. Once again, thank you.
Wow Roger, I’ve never received a better comment on a video. Thank you much for your kind words about the video; but thank you for sharing your own story which gave contex to your words. When I was working on the video I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect response! Thank you very much for taking the time to show your appreciation and share your own thoughts. You might enjoy some of my other videos. These are two you may have watched by now? Dee Murray & Nigel Olsson - Elton John Stories th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html Nigel Olsson Recording Session with Dee Murray - Elton John Band th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
@@robjones8733 Thank you for watching! Have you watched my other Elton videos? I think you'll enjoy these: th-cam.com/video/03EY5Vq-XNk/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/Nf_gdw6aC8w/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/VEaCrRdsaFI/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html
Finally someone who truly appreciates the amazing art all these guys created, and mind you, at such a young age. From Elton and Bernie, to the entire band, Gus, the engineering. Amazing. You could have put the spotlight a bit more on Paul Buckmaster‘s insane arrangements on all albums up to GBYBR. Love your posts, keep them up please
Hear hear!! You are the first I’ve seen in the comments even that mentions Paul Buckmaster!! The Your Song album and Madman wouldn’t be what they are without Paul and his hard driving strings that no one was doing - even George Martin didn’t go as far into edgy strings as Paul did! And such a hilarious and creative person as well!
I geeked out right along with you! I absolutely LOVED this walk through my teenage years. Elton was king. 11/17/70 Oh my god, so intense!!! Just bass, drums, piano always blew me away. Yes, I WEEP, and a musician as well. What else can ya do when your cup overfloweth? Body, mind and spirit totally absorbed in ecstasy. The songs you pointed out like Susie, and Honky Tonk Woman, so tight! I sure miss Dee, one of a kind bassist. Each one of them are so incredibly gifted. I feel blessed to have grown up in that era and discovered Elton. Bernie’s lyrics draw me in. Every album was a work of art, so unique, everything they did… just soooo gooood. Never found anybody to geek out on Elton with. So this was fun, I’d love an Elton party, where we dig out the deep cuts like The King Must Die, Have Mercy On The Criminal… I loved these clips you showed, some I’ve never seen, what a treat! Really LOVED this video. Liked and subscribed just now. ❤🎹🎸🥁🎼🎧
Wow! Thank you so much for your awesome comments! It makes a huge difference knowing that fans like you are enjoying my video. I agree with every word. I'm hoping to make more EJB videos and maybe even have "geek" parties where we share favorite tracks and comment etc. Thanks again for the great encouragement. I look forward to hearing from you again!
This compilation is really one of the best reviews of the band, awesome footage and commentary. You are spot on with what I had always known about the talent of these guys......Nigel drums on Don't Shoot Me are legendary. The 70's string of albums were just plain sick.
I've been a bass guitarist for 42 years. Dee Murray was an absolute treasure. Incredible feel, musicality, and a gorgeous Fender bass tone all his own. This band was Incredible and often forgotten when looking at bands from that era. Dee is the reason I have a white Fender jazz bass. Thank you so much for this brilliant video and sharing Dee's legacy and musical brilliance. ✌
I've listened to Elton for 51 years and a huge fan.. and Ive always said that the bands playing is like each note matches the words, you feel it as if you are living it!
That is that very special, otherwordly ability Elton (I like calling him Reg. as well), and Bernie Taupin had to create such awesome songs while being totally physically isolated from one another, just like the two were meant for each other as a songwriting team, from the very beginning!
No kidding! Isn’t that incredible? He was never that confident about his singing voice, and he ended up having one of the greatest voices in pop music history. Thanks for watching!
This is a great video that Davey Johnstone and EJ should see. Especially for Davey's own documentary. Thanks for capturing the essence of what made this quintet a singular force in music. I always saw them as a unit, a great band. Like Miles Davis Quintet, Led Zeppelin, Yes, but apart in that it had a titular focus, the star, Elton. And the frenetic output from 70-75, plus later a new chapter, make Elton still compelling. As a busking piano player in the early 80s in Italy, I played the hits and hidden gems. They provided a living for a couple of years. Listening to those recording today is still as powerful and fresh as ever.
Wow thank you Nando for the awesome encouragement! It really means a lot to me. I really hope Davey or someone from Elton's camp sees my video. I've been following the doc being made by Davey's son. I'm also hoping to interview Davey as I've been studying their work so many years and there's a multitude of questions no one ever asks. I'd love to hear more about your experiences as a musician. Have you recorded anything?
@@JonBlackstone Davey was such an immense addition to what already was a fearsome trio. Very glad Elton insisted on using them for Honky Chateau. My sense is that drugs, novelty, and fame, made EJ vulnerable to bad advice. Management got him to secure the name “Elton John” away from the group. Thus he compiled an ill-timed New Band in '76. It remained interesting, and every album except VOL is worth exploring. There’s at least a couple of gems on every album IMO. But the last few albums from Sleeping w/the Past to Wonderful Crazy Night have recaptured 80% of the EJ magic of the 70s (which means they’re great). Most artists we remember have one great song. Fewer have a great album. But to dominate the 70s (the greatest period for music) and to still produce compelling music is to claim immortality. Like Sinatra, Elvis, Beatles, and Chuck Berry. Yes, I still play, and am considering recording a novel take on some lesser-known EJ songs. No one has ever improved an Elton song (unlike Dylan), and Elton’s covers of others were usually far superior to originals.
@@nandopelusi7699 Ya, that Island GIrl/Blue Moves transition was a tough time for me to not get disillusioned as a young teen :-) And speaking of Pillars of Hercules, what is happening? Was all excited a couple of years ago looking for it to come out, and then I have seen no news at all and have been afraid it was being shelved for some reason.
@@Al-ImprovEd2022 Search Pillars of Hercules Elton John for the news that seemed to abruptly stop at the beginning of 2021. Was said to be put out as documentary on netflix that fall of 21. Was going to include a ton of behind the scenes and focus on stories within the band. Hope it actually comes out before all of us old fans bite the dust.🥸
Yeah, you definitely need to watch this episode. I promise you’ll really love it! The Elton John Band 1970-75 - A Celebration of Musical Excellence th-cam.com/video/03EY5Vq-XNk/w-d-xo.html
I agree fully with your assessment about the incredibly high quality of writing, playing, and production that went into CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY. My favourite EJ album, for certain. It DOES sound superb.
Douglas (and Jon), ABSOLUTELY! He and Bernie have done many, many great records, but this one is hands down their best. Song for song, it's a very tight song cycle, and as Gus once noted there's not a track on it that's less than incredible. It SOUNDS gorgeous, the songs are drop dead amazing and the band's playing and Elton's vocals are PERFECT. PER-FECT. There's not a single flaw on it. Anyone who queries me as to why Elton and the band were as good as the Beatles, I just point them to this album. THIS is why.
Thanks for watching Douglas! As you already know you have a fellow fan in me! That album blew my mind as an 11 year old kid and opened my mind to pop music as an art form. To this day it still blow my mind. I don't know if you've ever heard it in surround sound but it takes it to a whole other level!
I remember being blown away by “Captain Fantastic” when it came out. I played it over and over just mesmerized by Nigel’s drumming. I looked over the credits to “Yellow Brick Road” decades later. Still can’t believe a quartet put that together! Although “Blue Moves” has grown on me over the years, “Rock of the Westies” is still a letdown. Glad he got the band back together in the 80’s, if only for two albums. Their harmonies are still the best. Thank you for sharing.
Captain Fantastic was the first album released after I had become a fan. So it was the first time I was at the record store the morning it was released. I still remember opening the album while my mom drove home. It was like opening a treasure chest. Then when I got home and played the album I was so blown away. I was 11 years old and I was completely enchanted by the biographical nature of the songs and the photographs and memorabilia that was included in the package. But the music took me to another world. I could go on and on but I've already geeked out so much in my video! 😂 I was so disappointed when Dee and Nigel were removed from the band but I still found much to appreciate about Westies. It was exciting to hear Elton sing such amazing rock vocals and I enjoy the performances of the band. But I've always said that the new members shoes could have been filled by any number of other great musicians around in the '70s. There were so many excellent session players around; but the new band did not have anywhere near the same unique creative spirit of the original line up. I actually love Blue Moves as I think it was Elton's desire to explore different genres and he did so with such class; backed up with an amazing band who rose to the occasion. Blue Moves is an amazing musical statement from Elton. It doesn't have the same vibe as the other records but it's an amazing record IMHO. My favorite songs are Tonight (one of Elton's greatest compositions) One Horse Town (incredible arrangement and the band smokes (Between Seventeen and Twenty) I played that song over and over when I was a kid (Shoulder Holster) harkening back to the sound of Tumbleweed and Madman with great vocal (Chameleon) lovely song Elton wrote for The Beach Boys with excellent vocals (Someone's Final Song) beautiful (Cage The Songbird) also beautiful (Sorry Seems To Be) one of my favorite of all Elton's songs (Crazy Water) I love this track. Amazing performance by and amazing group of musicians (Out of The Blue) I was a budding magician when the album came out and I used Out of The Blue during my magic act. Listen to it and you'll see how perfect it is! As you can tell I have so much admiration for the work Elton did between 1970-76. He was such an amazing singer, songwriter, musician and performer. That's why it made it so unfathomable how profoundly he lost his way after Blue Moves. To this day I can't imagine what happened to go from Blue Moves to stuff like Single Man and then the abomination that is Victim of Love. As a kid I literally imagined aliens came and snatched Elton and left a talentless clone in his place. It was like I lost a friend. Then I discovered all the bands that inspired Elton in his youth and a whole new world was opened to me. Ultimately I found the other great artists I admire so much including the Beatles, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, The Stones, The Who and so many more. Okay I've rambles long enough! Thank you for watching and for your kind words. I hope to hear from you again! Cheers!
I didn’t care for Elton Johns music on first impression. I was invited to go see him and the band at Cobo Hall Arena 51:05 in Detroit five minutes into the concert my mind was changed with a quickness and became and have been a fan ever since. That was in 1972 October Friday night. Outstanding concert!
Wow! What a great time to see the original band! I love the recordings from 72. The band is so tight and funky on all those songs from Honky Chateau. I just posted this 84 show with the original band th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
I’ve become totally disgusted with all the “awards” institutions (Grammy, RRHF etc). They don’t celebrate excellence; they celebrate money. Thanks for watching. Here’s another one you might enjoy. Dee Murray & Nigel Olsson - Elton John Stories th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
I'm so glad someone finally noticed that photo! It's such a rare picture. It's Elton at Caribou Ranch recording studios. After he would lay down the basic tracks with the band he would take of and drink beer and go fishing. It's been said that he had no patience to wait for a fish to bite so he'd give up right away! Thanks for watching!
Thank you! That mean a lot! It was a labor of love and I hope to do more if I can grow my viewership. It's so hard to be seen amidst all the stuff on TH-cam. Thanks again!
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Captain Fantastic. Truly 2 of the best albums and bands ever. My all time favorites. Thank you so much! I enjoyed buzzing out with you. The footage is absolutely gold! I was 6 years old when mum and dad bought yellow brick road home. I still have the albums. ❤❤
Agreed! Thank you for watching and for the kind words! I just posted this episode th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
Even though the band changed somewhat, I also love 1976's "Blue Moves." Not as consistent as some of the earlier albums but the majority of it is of such a high quality. Such a mature record. Songs like "Tonight," "Chameleon," "One Horse Town," "Between 17 and 20," "The Wide Eyed and Laughing," "Idol," etc. I was a kid when I bought that album and it blew my mind as much as "Dark Side Of The Moon," or "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" did. It challenged me to expand my taste.
Agree with you 100% about those "best of all time" lists being popularity contests. Elton's band was legendary and never got their proper respect. The 11-17-70 album is SUBLIME. And it's so fun to watch you geeking out over all the little details, you make the same faces I do. 😆
Thanks for your great comments. I was feeling a little insecure as one person commented “you have a face made for radio”. It never ceases to amaze me how cruel some people can be. You made me feel a little better today. Thank you!
Thank you John I think that's awesome that you know those guys... My first Elton John concert was in 1976 and I've seen him over 50 times since... I share your passion and your excellent work is appreciated.
Thanks for your detailed thoughts... I enjoyed every minute of it... and thanks for mentioning the live recording of "Honky Tonk Woman" with just Elton, Dee & Nigel beginning @ 7:16 ... it's my favorite live recording of all time... How a 3 piece band can provide that level of unique power and funk blows my head apart... and that scream right before the drums always brings a smile to my face...
Jon......amazing! Thank you! I'm one of those crying non- musicians that finds himself tearing up when I'm transported to a different place while listening to that INCREDIBLE early band! Thank you for breaking it down for me into musical terms what I've been hearing and seeing since I was 15. I love love love, Nigels drumming. Thanks Jon!
I really, really appreciate your putting into words the magical thing that was Elton and Crew's music in early-mid 70's. I was definitely an EJ fanatic. Was at Dodger Stadium '75. Also props to Gus Dudgeon for his part. So tragic his and his wife's end.
Thank you very much for your great comments! How cool you were at the dodger Stadium show. I agree with you about Gus and his wife; so sad he’s no longer here.
Jon also THANK YOU for highlighting "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" and Nigel's key role in the song. His drumming is so PERFECT and SKILLFUL it's not appreciated by many, but it's just genius, not only what he plays, but what he judiciously chooses NOT to play. The musicality of his drumming, he's not just a timekeeper and half of a rhythm section. He and Dee were important musicians in their own right, an integral part of this 5-piece mini-orchestra.
I couldn’t agree more! I discovered even more about the band when it came to synchronizing the audio from Here and There to videos from other shows. Nigel was a perfect time keeper while laying back so far on the beat that gave the music such a great feel. Thanks again for watching and your great commentary!
Thank you for this - I just finished it and it was a really exciting, entertaining trip back to the best time period of Elton John’s music (and one of the best times for music in general). He couldn’t have had a better group of musicians to make up the Elton John Band of that time. I wish they would’ve continued for many more years as this lineup. A perfect rock band with an awesome sound. Elton’s music never sounded the same after these guys and I just wound up, pretty much, losing interest in his stuff that came after the band he had here. His music softened but he kept cranking out the hits. I totally lost interest in anything he did around the 80s and after.
Thank you for watching! I agree with every word (sadly). I don't know if you checked out my channel but I just posted this episode th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much for your comment! I’m glad that you enjoyed watching me geek out 😆. I know that I’m like so many of you out there who love this music so much. I hope you subscribe because there’s more on the way. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for watching and for the kind words! I just posted this episode th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
I’ve seen a lot of rockumentary videos on TH-cam, but this video is one of the best ever. This is your calling! It’s a perfect blend of audio, video, documentary, and you jamming out! I’d love to see more videos like this. Some suggestions would be a video for each of Elton John’s albums from the 1970’s. It would also be cool to see you do the same thing with the discography of Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, KISS, and others. I will be watching this video many ore times. THANK YOU!!!
Wow Jeff! You totally made my day; actually my month! Thank you so much for the encouraging words. As a true music fan yourself I’m sure you can imagine how cool it is to get feedback from others. I have a huge and growing list of videos I am ready to produce. I can only invest limited time for now; but my hope is to grow my subscribers to the point I can do videos full time. Anything you can do to spread the word is greatly appreciated. Thanks again!
As a Zepp fan I always remind people that Zepp was the biggest band of the 70's. As far as album sales and attendance. (Certainly not as far as fame and household recognition.) Anyway, I've seen some stats on Elton that blew my mind. It would have been interesting to have a contest in say, 1975, when both bands were at the height of their popularity, to see how many nights in a row the two bands could sell out Madison Square Garden. They'd alternate nights. It would be close, and I could be wrong, but I'd give the edge to Zeppelin. One reason being that teenage boys would probably try and see Zeppelin multiple times. I don't think your average adult couple would see the sense in seeing Elton multiple times.
You don't know how that warms my heart! Sincerely. Thank you for the kind words. Based on your comments I know you’ll enjoy this video about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
Thank You so much, Jon, for your work and dedication! You have definitely archived a period of music that should never be forgotten! Hopefully Bernie will join EJ as one of the most prolific song writer teams that ever gave us their music!
@@eldergeektromeo9868For any reasons - so obscure and obvious at the same time, creative period from 1970 to 1975 would remain unsurpassed and remain there in our collective minds as a monolithic time capsule. Thanks again a thousand times for this rehabiliting compilation of major public interest, to keep on memories vivid. Hats off.
Elton was my favorite artist in the 70s. He seemed to rule the 1970s airwaves. I loved Chicago and Paul McCartney and Wings too. I was too young for Led Zeppelin, my parents listened to AM radio.
You and I would have been pals! I love Paul and Wings, Chicago. And like you I was just a little to young to be into Zeppelin (although I discovered them in my later teen years). I don't know if you subscribed but I just released this new Elton video th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
@@JonBlackstoneMany youngsters have struggled with Zep. When I was young IDK exactly why but I found Zeppellin maybe too intense or just not enough bounce in it. IDK exactly why. I was 24 or so before I really got into them. I was born in 1963 so that was my timeline.
@@spaceghost8995 I was born in 64 and I felt the same way about Zepp. But I grew to love them; especially after I became a guitar player. I especially love Bonham. What a great drummer. Thanks for watching!
Evel Knievel . Just watched the 1975 Wembley jump on here TH-cam. He makes a big speech before the jump . Henry Cooper was there the heavyweight who nearly knocked out Ali . Keith Moon was there ! Evel says hello to them both . So great to see the kids my age , the clothes , the mums and Dads . Didn’t see the speech before today . Incredible
I love hearing all the stories you share. Just want you to know. I really appreciate your comments and enjoy reading them. As always thanks for watching!
Hands down, 1970-75 was Elton's best work.
1970-76.....'Blue Moves', while not as great as the previous masterpieces, was still a damn good album
Totally agreed; as you could tell from my video! Thanks for watching!
Fantastic breakdown of my favorite artist. Incredible band. Davey Johnstone to me is right up there with Brian May, Steve Howe, and Jimmy Page.
I can not imagine a world without this music as part of the soundtrack of my life.
Thanks for watching! As you can probably tell I feel the same way!
I just watched a video with John Blackstone going through all sorts of Eltons songs and it is worth watching. I'm an Elton John freak.
@@marciaturnbull8082 Thank you for watching Marcia! So glad you enjoyed my video. I hope you'll check out my other videos; I have several others about Elton John's music and I have interviewed people involved in his music. Cheers!
'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', was the first album my mom ever gave me. I was 7 or 8 years old. I still have it. Thank you, mom!
✌🏼❤️ 🎶
My mom gave me yellow brick Road too! That’s a good mom! Thanks for watching!
Love the MFSL gold CD. It's the first version I remember seeing on a single CD. Incredible sound!
Backing vocals are what separates the men from the boys. This band always had superb bvs.
Totally agreed! I think they took their cues from The Beatles. The vocal arrangements were inspired and inventive! Thanks for watching!
Incredible harmony from the group.
Probably one of the BEST underrated bands of the rock era. All of the members are/were unbelievably talented. RIP Dee Murray.
Agreed~ Dee was an amazing musician and one of the warmest people I've ever met. Thanks for watching!
Rock of the Westies is one of my favorites. I got to see them in concert with the tour festival seating in Greensboro
@@kellyheath6952 Was that on the 1976 tour?
They werent underrated at the time. In 1973-1975 EJ was the biggest name in the business, absolute mania followed this guy around
sharing your sight with friends with excellent work... congrads... I saw Eltons first performance while at Art College in Maryland. we were all amazed he just kept playing all night at a huge stadium away by his charisma
Always loved Nigels unique style of drumming
Obviously you know I love Nigel’s drumming. This is when he played on my album. Nigel Olsson Recording Session with Dee Murray - Elton John Band
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There is a lot of Ringo in Nigel. A songwriters drummer.
@@vgr112261 Absolutely! Thank you for watching!
@OnlyKidWithCamera ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVING THIS POST!!!!Thank you for posting this. You remind me of me and my musical partner in crime talking about all the pieces of the whole with passion..me being a bass player .anybody that recognises real REAL tasty bass playing and gets it and digs it like you clearly do is all tip top and tickety boo....SUBSCRIBED!!!!!! Keep it coming - Fondest Regards...Darren Sinnott UK 🇬🇧
You cannot predict it.
Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson probably the most underrated rhythm duo in Rock
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for watching!
Here's my Elton John story and unfortunately I don't have photos☹️ In late 1973 or so my dad was doing merchandising for Elton handling all his t-shirts/posters/paraphernalia. I was seven years old at the time. So one day my dad says to me "Do you want to go meet Elton John" I said sure but I wasn't overly excited. I was obsessed with the Beatles (still am) and no one else could compare but my dad frequently played all the EJ albums so I was familiar with his music. On a Saturday morning we go down to a Hollywood sound stage where EJ was rehearsing with the whole band including Nigel, Dee, and Davey. I was introduced to Elton and he shook my hand. He was wearing a powder blue outfit with platform shoes, trademark glasses shaped like hearts or apples. There were about 14 people there and I watched him play most of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. I found some spare drum sticks and was playing along with them. That's pretty much all i remember but it was amazing!
I'm a musician also and my first love of music is also Elton John. I was 10 years old when Goodbye Yellow Brick Road came out in 1973. That album changed my life and my musical direction. I started playing piano at 4 yrs old and by 8 yrs old I was the piano player at the church that I went to with my mom. Started learning bass at 13. Picked up a guitar to seriously play at 19. Been in local bands playing clubs since I was 17. I'm 60 now, still playing almost every weekend and Elton is still my hero. All his albums are very dear to my heart. I've enjoyed playing Elton tunes over the years. What an influence he was on me.
Sounds like my own story! Thanks for sharing your story!
Funny , I was 13 when GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD came , love this album , big fan of Nigel , and I still think that Nigel and Dee are one of the tightest rhythm sections ever, right there with Bonham and Jones....love all of Elton's stuff up to Caribou....some of the greatest music and one of the greatest bands on the planet, we were blessed to come up in the time we did people, THANK YOU DEAR LORD SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME COME UP AT THIS TIME IN LIFE WITH THE GREATEST MUSIC EVER......AMEN.......
I was 9 definitely shaped me as a listener and, hopefully, as a musician.
So cool.
I got pictures when I was 3 with giant headphones on listening to and singing to Bennie and the jets....will always love that song, along with about 200 other Elton songs
Thanks for watching! I would love to use that photograph in one of my videos!
Holy shit
That documentary brought me the greatest joy I've felt in a long time. I just turned 60 the other day. This is the soundtrack of my life. Fantastic work. Lump in my throat
I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever received a nicer comment on this video. I mean that sincerely. To know that this video brought you to tears is probably the greatest compliment I could ever receive. I didn’t make the music, but I really tried to convey the emotion I feel when I hear this music. Thank you for the kind words. I hope you’ll check out my other videos; I’ve done several on the Elton John band. Cheers!
Yes, that band was exceptionally tight and exceptionally overlooked. Excellent work.
Thanks for watching! More on the way!
I think Madman across the water is one of the 10 best rock and roll records of all time.
Amazing album. My favorites on Madman are Holiday Inn, Razor Face. I love every song. Not a filled on the record.
Madman's great but I like tumbleweed even better
@@johnscialfa7391 As I recall, the first time Elton met Bob Dylan, Dylan complimented Elton's singing in Tumbleweed's "Ballad of a well-known gun," which had an excellent vocal by Elton, I think; clean and strong. That bucked Elton up.
@@StephenDoty84 Bob;s a a tough guy to 'impress":. he also doesn;t lie. So I;m sure that did inspire Elton. to even greater songwriting
@@Piggy-Oink-Oink Yeah, Bob Dylan later said that he was only in awe of one singer-songwriter. [Hint: it wasn't Elton.]
Dee Murray was SO underrated. I love hearing the Here and There live album, his playing on Rocket Man is so subtle in the high range and reminds me of Chris Squire. Love this band.
Totally agree! Thanks for watching!
The chorus singing on "Rocket Man" knocks me out.
He wasn't underrated to me.
I just watched a piece about him. He was unlike anyone else.
What I loved about Elton John is the way he brought back the piano as the primary Rock and Roll instrument as it was in the early days of Rock n Roll with Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. We did start to tire of some of the "guitar heroes" in the early 70s.....you know the usual suspects. It did help that Elton and his band were A1 talents to boot. and the songwriting was top notch.
Those harmonies with Nigel and Dee, and later on Davey, are 🔥
Wonderful video! Im only 24 but I have been so lucky to have met Nigel, Elton, Davey and Ray and they are all so lovely and kind. They are fantastic musicians and all round great people! Awesome work ❤
Glad you enjoyed it! Very cool you’ve been able to hang with those guys. They’re all typically British gentleman who have their feet firmly on the ground. Dee was not only ine of the coolest musicians I’ve met; he’s one of nicest people I’ve ever known!
This is the best documentary I have ever seen on the band. It's a labour of true love of astonishing artistic achievements. I salute you because it's just so true. Astonishing and with such genuine respect you present this monument. I'm gonna share this with literally everyone I know.
Thank you for watching and for the kind comments! It’s makes me so happy to know others hear and understand what I see!
HEAR; HEAR!!!!!!!
So well said!
This is awesome!! I too fell in love with Elton and the Band at a very young age and have followed them for over 50 years. It's so great to see all the clips and hear all your insights and passion for their music. Thank you so much!!
Thanks for watching! I hope your check out my other videos as I’ve done several similar deep dives into Elton’s music. I’ve also done some recent interviews that you would be interested in. Thanks for the kind words!
Ditto. The amazing thing is that in 50 years, there hasn't been a comparable artist. And I'll argue that easily.
This band kicks ass!!!! They’re so good. Good luck finding anything in this day & age that you could even try and compare to these guys. I love Davey’s playing. His sound… his vibrato… his ability to just play a totally different and randomized version of the guitar solos is so cool. Just listening to him on this version of Funeral/Love Lies Bleeding is some of the best live playing anywhere. He’s got it all and everything he plays has such feeling. I love all those vibrato & volume swells he does in Funeral & Rocket Man & some others. Very melodic solos.
Yes, I always felt this was Elton's peak era musically. That band was a major part of it.
As I'm sure you can tell I heartily agree with you! Thanks for watching! Have you watched my other Elton videos? I think you'll enjoy these:
th-cam.com/video/03EY5Vq-XNk/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/Nf_gdw6aC8w/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/VEaCrRdsaFI/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html
This is so great to watch and listen too. It's a summer morning. It reminds me of my childhood summers in the 1970's. ❤
Glad you enjoy it! I’ve done several episodes on Elton’s music. Hope to hear from you again!
@@JonBlackstoneYou will Jon. You are so very excellent at what you do.I enjoy your work. 🙂
This is the best video I've ever seen on Elton John... Fantastic. And so great to see the band getting all the attention they deserve.
Yep, Elton and band plus Bernie is magic
Not many people understand how much incredible talent combined. One song relevant to today’s times is a favorite of mine called “ticking”
Ahead of their time❤
Thank you for watching!
Great song
Una de mis favoritas también, fantástica!!!
@@carlosmanuelibanezortiz6230 Thank you for watching!
It’s good to know that there is someone else that really appreciates Ticking. It is an epic piece of music. I know the content is tragic and some might say depressing, but I still, to this day, do not understand how anyone can write such a deeply felt piece of music.
I told myself I would just watch a few minutes of this video before I went to bed. I couldn't stop watching it. Truly one of the best Elton John documentaries I've ever seen. Thank you.
Wow, thank you for the great comments. You really made my day! I hope you’ll check out my other Elton videos. There’s a lot of good stuff there! Thank you Holly!
I so appreciate you, Jon, and everyone here recognizing the greatness of the BAND. I knew right way something was wrong in 1976 when I picked up his album "Rock of the Westies" and found out he had fired Dee and Nigel. Didn't know as much about Dee at that time, but I absolutely loved Nigel Olsson as my favorite drummer in the world at that time! The spell was broken, and the magic was gone (for me, at least) and the unthinkable began to happen: I was losing interest in my teenage boyhood music idol Elton John. It was a great disillusionment for me, and I became something of a musical refugee after that, trying to fill the void with the Beatles (no knock on them, but I learned of them second hand. I discovered Elton John myself) and all sorts of very worthwhile artists whom I would be listening to for a while, but never really took them to my heart the way I took the Elton John Band, as this musical unit is most properly called. I really thought that music was over for me, until I ran into the Norwegian musical duo Nico and Vinz, who brought something alive in me very similar emotionally to the way the Elton John Band in that great period, which really suprised me, because I never thought I could ever enjoy music the way I did in those days. But that's a story for another time. I am so grateful that you're bringing out this history, as at the time it was happening I think no one was really knowing what the hell was going on, and I think we all felt all alone with our loss.
I want to thank you again for the great comments. I’m thinking about doing some live stream things, and it would be great to converse with you. I really appreciate everything you’ve written so far. Stay tuned!
@@JonBlackstone absolutely will do!
that was a blast! I love when other fans geek out on Elton!
I was in serious geek mode! Glad you were able to join me! Thanks for watching 😎
Thank you for this. I've been an Elton John fan for almost 50 years and I had all his records back in the day. His music has stood the test of time.
Sorry it’s taking me so long to respond. It’s been a busy time with the holidays and all. Thank you for your nice comments and thank you for watching!
@@JonBlackstone This is so incredible. Mr. Blackstone... any idea where I can find/buy the version of "Rocket Man" from the footage at the 40:00 mark? I would love to hear the entirety of this masterpiece. Thanks for all of your beautiful work!
@@brianw3656 Thank you Brian! Almost all the live tracks are from the “Here and There” album. The only exceptions are the first 3 songs in the video. If you watch later in the video I explain the Here and There album in depth. Thank you for the kind words. There’s more on the way!
@OnlyKidWithCamera I was 10 years old (5th grade) in 1974 when I sat next to my future friend, John. He got me hooked onto my first favorite singer/band, Elton John. I lost interest in his music 10 years later. Having you explain the finest of details in their music from the 70's is like starting over again. Thanks for the incredible journey. ❤️
Great video! Takes me back to my youth. They were the best and Elton is up there with the best of all time.
Thanks for watching! I couldn’t agree more 😊
When he replaced these guys in ‘75 it was the beginning of the end for Elton in my opinion! It was never the same!
The guys he replaced them with had been around for years , and in fact were the band for the first 3 LP’s (if I’m remembering correctly).
Caleb Quay and Roger Pope had been with EJ for years off/on.
Thanks so much for highlighting the talents of Nigel, Dee and Davey! Elton created some of the best music of all time with them. The first Elton album I ever purchased with my own money was "Don't Shoot Me," which I chose because of the song, "Daniel," and soon loved the whole album. And later that year came "Goodbye Yellowbrick Road," which blew me away. Before long, I had his entire back catalogue and loved it all. Again, thanks for highlighting the Elton John Band, whose talents, along with that of producer Gus Dudgeon (whom Elton called "the fifth member of the band"), created THE classic Elton John albums, culminating in the brilliant, "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy." We really owe the band so much!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the episode. And I really appreciate what you wrote. I couldn’t agree more! I just uploaded the fixed version of the episode which has a very cool ending. That was missing from the one you watched. It’ll be available at 12:30 PM Pacific standard time today!
@@JonBlackstone Agree with you. The Elton John Band deserves to be in the Rock Hall.
You are preaching to the choir here! Great work putting the spotlight on the greatest band of the 70's
Thanks for watching and the kind words! Have you watched my other Elton videos? I think you'll enjoy these:
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th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html
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This band not in the Hall of Fame is really hard to believe. Criminal in oversight. Recovering from a pretty serious case of Covid, but that was a fun hour and a half. Thank you very much.
@@870ChrisCook Thank you for watching! I'm glad it helped you pass some of your recovery. I have other Elton videos you might want to check out including this one: th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
This band was PERFECT and sooooo underrated. Thank you so much for this!!!
Thank you for the kind words. This was a labor of love for me as you can probably tell. 😎 I hope it opens the minds of music fans to the incomparable work they did.
1 diamond, 40 platinum or multi-platinum, and 23 gold albums, over 50 Top 40 hits, and more than 300 million records sold worldwide. WHERE DOES THE UNDERRATED PART COME IN??
@@septictopix4797 just a stab in the dark mate but it was a very rich and glorious most likely the peak of rock time there and the critics were probably not as knowledgeable and follow the leader ensued in the media which was how we gorged on our favourites no internet (thank God). So the bands I won't even attempt to name there was a plethora of legendary acts and maybe the EJ BAND Didn't get the love it would have normally, also punk and new wave disco post punk and they just were sitting there on their superb output. I'm a bit mystified yeah record sales don't lie. Mystery but like Jon said how there not in hall of fame is outrageous.
And their blend in backing vocals was part of the Elton John'Band's sound.
a commercial rocket to the stratosphere, incredibly famous and succesful but critically ignored while lesser trios/bands kept winning "contests"@@septictopix4797
Elton is my favorite artist of all time.
Caribou. Ticking. So haunting. Such story telling. 🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼
Thank you so much for putting this together. Love all the deep cuts and insights. You’ve done current and future generations a great service.
Thank you! Your’s is one of the nicest comments I’ve ever received. Thank you so much!
@@JonBlackstone As a huge EJ and BT fan, I love coming across videos like these from music people with a deep knowledge of and love for great music. I enjoyed your video about Dee and Nigel, too.
As I've already stated, I think Jon should approach Netflix or Disney for a deal to produce a professional series.
@@markatlasauthor6969 If you know anyone who works for those companies please put in a word for me! 😎
Finally! A compilation and celebration of the greatest that was- The Elton John Band. Every person in this band is an exceptional musician, and together, unstoppable. Thank you, Jon Blackstone, for your excellence in pulling this together. I've consumed Elton for 50 years, and there is stuff I've never seen or heard before. What a treasure this is!
Thank you so much! You made my day! I made this video because I've always felt the work these guys did has never been given proper respect. Have you watched my other Elton videos? I think you'll enjoy these:
th-cam.com/video/03EY5Vq-XNk/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html
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@@JonBlackstone You made MY day! I’m sure I’ve seen your other videos because I’m always scouting for new Elton stuff but I’ll be sure ti check them all out. Thank you thank you!
@@JonBlackstone I love you at the end of DLTSGDOM! Raw, genuine emotion right there. Awesome!
I was so very fortunate to be at that legendary concert on Thanksgiving 1974! I will never forget it as long as I live! You could literally feel Madison Square Garden practically lift off the ground when John Lennon took the stage
WOW! That's amazing. I can't even imagine how cool that experience was. Thanks for sharing and for watching!
I really discovered Elton John when I was in the 6th grade with GYBR. I absolutely wore that record out. After discovering EJ, I went out and bought everything that I could get my hands on that had anything to do with Elton John. For the longest time, I was positive that Nigel Olsson was Native American. Lol. After a few years, I had everything that Elton John had ever made. I was hooked for life.
That's so funny! I thought Nigel was Native American too; mainly because of the jewelry he wore around his neck in his photo in the Caribou album. I had totally forgotten about that until you reminded me. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this. Whilst their musicianship cannot be questioned, the band’s harmonies where absolutely wonderful
I was a massive fan through the 70s and imbibed, inhaled, gorged on anything Elton did. Unfortunately never got to see him live but watching your video and seeing your appreciation of these drum fills and bass runs, not to mention the guitar, piano, vocals and percussion parts that are branded into my then teenage soul, has brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you so much.
What a nice comment. Thank you sir. Thank you for watching!
Nigel was a big part of me playing drums to this day, his fills are epic and memorable
Wonderful! Thank you. Great work of yours - passionate and the background - the BAND!!!!! Fabulous.
You’re very welcome! Thank you so much for watching!
@@JonBlackstone Many thanks. Regards.
JON, THIS IS SO EXTRAORDINARILY BRILLIANT, I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN!
Your presentation is authentic, heartfelt, (from both of your perspectives as a professional and as a fan), technically accurate, and exceptionally well-informed; I applaud you and far more importantly, I thank you.
I too am a child of the 70's (similar professional artistic and "other side of the glass" record-making background, so yeah... I get it...); you illustrated and expressed the zeitgeist of the time - as experienced through the lens of music - beautifully.
I watched the section on the Thanksgiving '74 MSG gigs multiple times, tears streaming down my face.
My older sister converted me into a dedicated E.J.B. fan when GBYBR was released (anyone who listened to NYC rock/pop radio couldn't avoid being inundated with Elton in those years, but it was the album tracks like "Funeral/LLB" that were really transformative...) and by virtue of Dad's business connections, WE WERE AT THOSE GIGS!
A band experiencing and sharing the peak output of their creative live-performance mastery and command? A band on fire? An incontrovertible example of what is meant when the term, "tight" is used?
You bet.
(316 live gigs between 1968 and 1973. By the time the GBYBR tour was in motion they were in peak form...).
To say that those concerts were magic beyond description, especially to me as a 9-year old, would be a severe understatement. Your coverage and commentary of those gigs pushed buttons and evoked an even deeper level of cherished memories, memories that have provided a much needed emotional anchor and have helped to sustain me during these utterly confusing and challenging times we humans have been living through in the 21st Century.
Once upon a time, melody-centric rock and pop music of the style so exquisitely elucidated here, not only drove the culture, contributing a reference that (for better or worse) helped many of us form our worldview and to figure out who we were and who, perhaps, we wanted to be. Beyond that though (in my not-always-so-humble opinion), the music of that period - E.J.B. Band exemplifying this perfectly - embodied what I refer to as , "the promise of a better tomorrow", a sense that things would be at least okay, if not significantly better as we embraced the future and navigated our way through adulthood.
At risk of sounding like the proverbial old guy shouting at the clouds, before MTV shifted the paradigm to a platform whereby musical talent, a band's/artist's marketability and artistic relevance became tied so heavily to their physical appearance, and before Wall Street got involved and analysts at Merrill or Bear-Stearns (or some other white-collar criminal enterprise) dictated to label execs when a particular record needed to be released , "because we've already booked the revenue for the quarter"; before all that, those records and the artists that crafted them (at least for some of us), helped us to define our fundamental humanity; for others it is not mere hyperbole to posit that those records "saved lives", if you will.
You nailed it.. something tells me you, as well, have lived it.
AND...
So nice to see Dee Murray getting even a fraction of the long-overdue recognition for his magnificent, usually under-appreciated contributions. He departed far too young (you apparently managed to contract he and Nigel for session work... well done) but the work is still as fresh, innovative and above all else, melodic as it ever was.
Once again, thank you.
Wow Roger, I’ve never received a better comment on a video. Thank you much for your kind words about the video; but thank you for sharing your own story which gave contex to your words. When I was working on the video I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect response! Thank you very much for taking the time to show your appreciation and share your own thoughts. You might enjoy some of my other videos. These are two you may have watched by now? Dee Murray & Nigel Olsson - Elton John Stories
th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
Nigel Olsson Recording Session with Dee Murray - Elton John Band
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Cool...wow.....!!
Everything that this man said is true
Wow what a great response...digging this vid!
@@robjones8733 Thank you for watching! Have you watched my other Elton videos? I think you'll enjoy these:
th-cam.com/video/03EY5Vq-XNk/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/Nf_gdw6aC8w/w-d-xo.html
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Finally someone who truly appreciates the amazing art all these guys created, and mind you, at such a young age. From Elton and Bernie, to the entire band, Gus, the engineering. Amazing.
You could have put the spotlight a bit more on Paul Buckmaster‘s insane arrangements on all albums up to GBYBR.
Love your posts, keep them up please
Hear hear!! You are the first I’ve seen in the comments even that mentions Paul Buckmaster!! The Your Song album and Madman wouldn’t be what they are without Paul and his hard driving strings that no one was doing - even George Martin didn’t go as far into edgy strings as Paul did! And such a hilarious and creative person as well!
I do too!
Sorry I’m just now seeing your comment. Thank you for the kind words. I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said!
I watched this 3 times. bug Elton fan. I loved it
You made my day! That means a lot to me. Thanks for watching!
I geeked out right along with you! I absolutely LOVED this walk through my teenage years. Elton was king.
11/17/70 Oh my god, so intense!!! Just bass, drums, piano always blew me away. Yes, I WEEP, and a musician as well. What else can ya do when your cup overfloweth? Body, mind and spirit totally absorbed in ecstasy.
The songs you pointed out like Susie, and Honky Tonk Woman, so tight!
I sure miss Dee, one of a kind bassist. Each one of them are so incredibly gifted. I feel blessed to have grown up in that era and discovered Elton. Bernie’s lyrics draw me in. Every album was a work of art, so unique, everything they did… just soooo gooood.
Never found anybody to geek out on Elton with. So this was fun, I’d love an Elton party, where we dig out the deep cuts like The King Must Die, Have Mercy On The Criminal…
I loved these clips you showed, some I’ve never seen, what a treat!
Really LOVED this video. Liked and subscribed just now. ❤🎹🎸🥁🎼🎧
Wow! Thank you so much for your awesome comments! It makes a huge difference knowing that fans like you are enjoying my video. I agree with every word. I'm hoping to make more EJB videos and maybe even have "geek" parties where we share favorite tracks and comment etc. Thanks again for the great encouragement. I look forward to hearing from you again!
This compilation is really one of the best reviews of the band, awesome footage and commentary. You are spot on with what I had always known about the talent of these guys......Nigel drums on Don't Shoot Me are legendary. The 70's string of albums were just plain sick.
Iam so privileged to see Elton and his bands since 1976 well1982 and2024 ❤😊
I am definitely here for the deep dive into the history of this band.
I always love hearing from people who are serious music nuts. That’s exactly what I am as you can tell!
I've been a bass guitarist for 42 years. Dee Murray was an absolute treasure. Incredible feel, musicality, and a gorgeous Fender bass tone all his own. This band was Incredible and often forgotten when looking at bands from that era. Dee is the reason I have a white Fender jazz bass. Thank you so much for this brilliant video and sharing Dee's legacy and musical brilliance. ✌
I've listened to Elton for 51 years and a huge fan.. and Ive always said that the bands playing is like each note matches the words, you feel it as if you are living it!
Totally agreed! Thanks for watching!
Seen Elton on his last tour in Raleigh last year Cooper almost stole the show on percussion
That is that very special, otherwordly ability Elton (I like calling him Reg. as well), and Bernie Taupin had to create such awesome songs while being totally physically isolated from one another, just like the two were meant for each other as a songwriting team, from the very beginning!
51 years for me as well, since Rocket Man
I love watching you appreciate the music and songs.
Thank you for watching! So glad you enjoyed watching me geek out to this amazing music!
Can't believe Elton only became the singer because no one else would, great vocals on the philly freedom track.
No kidding! Isn’t that incredible? He was never that confident about his singing voice, and he ended up having one of the greatest voices in pop music history. Thanks for watching!
This is a great video that Davey Johnstone and EJ should see. Especially for Davey's own documentary. Thanks for capturing the essence of what made this quintet a singular force in music. I always saw them as a unit, a great band. Like Miles Davis Quintet, Led Zeppelin, Yes, but apart in that it had a titular focus, the star, Elton. And the frenetic output from 70-75, plus later a new chapter, make Elton still compelling. As a busking piano player in the early 80s in Italy, I played the hits and hidden gems. They provided a living for a couple of years. Listening to those recording today is still as powerful and fresh as ever.
Wow thank you Nando for the awesome encouragement! It really means a lot to me. I really hope Davey or someone from Elton's camp sees my video. I've been following the doc being made by Davey's son. I'm also hoping to interview Davey as I've been studying their work so many years and there's a multitude of questions no one ever asks. I'd love to hear more about your experiences as a musician. Have you recorded anything?
@@JonBlackstone Davey was such an immense addition to what already was a fearsome trio. Very glad Elton insisted on using them for Honky Chateau. My sense is that drugs, novelty, and fame, made EJ vulnerable to bad advice. Management got him to secure the name “Elton John” away from the group. Thus he compiled an ill-timed New Band in '76. It remained interesting, and every album except VOL is worth exploring. There’s at least a couple of gems on every album IMO. But the last few albums from Sleeping w/the Past to Wonderful Crazy Night have recaptured 80% of the EJ magic of the 70s (which means they’re great). Most artists we remember have one great song. Fewer have a great album. But to dominate the 70s (the greatest period for music) and to still produce compelling music is to claim immortality. Like Sinatra, Elvis, Beatles, and Chuck Berry.
Yes, I still play, and am considering recording a novel take on some lesser-known EJ songs. No one has ever improved an Elton song (unlike Dylan), and Elton’s covers of others were usually far superior to originals.
@@nandopelusi7699 Ya, that Island GIrl/Blue Moves transition was a tough time for me to not get disillusioned as a young teen :-)
And speaking of Pillars of Hercules, what is happening? Was all excited a couple of years ago looking for it to come out, and then I have seen no news at all and have been afraid it was being shelved for some reason.
Davey has a documentary somewhere?
@@Al-ImprovEd2022 Search Pillars of Hercules Elton John for the news that seemed to abruptly stop at the beginning of 2021. Was said to be put out as documentary on netflix that fall of 21. Was going to include a ton of behind the scenes and focus on stories within the band. Hope it actually comes out before all of us old fans bite the dust.🥸
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Better Off Dead. Such a great album.
Yeah, you definitely need to watch this episode. I promise you’ll really love it! The Elton John Band 1970-75 - A Celebration of Musical Excellence
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Killer band!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
I agree fully with your assessment about the incredibly high quality of writing, playing, and production that went into CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY. My favourite EJ album, for certain. It DOES sound superb.
Douglas (and Jon), ABSOLUTELY! He and Bernie have done many, many great records, but this one is hands down their best. Song for song, it's a very tight song cycle, and as Gus once noted there's not a track on it that's less than incredible. It SOUNDS gorgeous, the songs are drop dead amazing and the band's playing and Elton's vocals are PERFECT. PER-FECT. There's not a single flaw on it. Anyone who queries me as to why Elton and the band were as good as the Beatles, I just point them to this album. THIS is why.
Thanks for watching Douglas! As you already know you have a fellow fan in me! That album blew my mind as an 11 year old kid and opened my mind to pop music as an art form. To this day it still blow my mind. I don't know if you've ever heard it in surround sound but it takes it to a whole other level!
@@andygeisel2177 I couldn't agree more Andy! Have you ever heard it in surround sound? It's a truly amazing experience!
@@JonBlackstone Not yet ... but since you mentioned it, I'll have to!
Amazing how Captain Fantastic is a lot of EJ fans including me favourite album considering it had no real hits.
I remember being blown away by “Captain Fantastic” when it came out. I played it over and over just mesmerized by Nigel’s drumming. I looked over the credits to “Yellow Brick Road” decades later. Still can’t believe a quartet put that together! Although “Blue Moves” has grown on me over the years, “Rock of the Westies” is still a letdown. Glad he got the band back together in the 80’s, if only for two albums. Their harmonies are still the best. Thank you for sharing.
Captain Fantastic was the first album released after I had become a fan. So it was the first time I was at the record store the morning it was released. I still remember opening the album while my mom drove home. It was like opening a treasure chest. Then when I got home and played the album I was so blown away. I was 11 years old and I was completely enchanted by the biographical nature of the songs and the photographs and memorabilia that was included in the package. But the music took me to another world. I could go on and on but I've already geeked out so much in my video! 😂 I was so disappointed when Dee and Nigel were removed from the band but I still found much to appreciate about Westies. It was exciting to hear Elton sing such amazing rock vocals and I enjoy the performances of the band. But I've always said that the new members shoes could have been filled by any number of other great musicians around in the '70s. There were so many excellent session players around; but the new band did not have anywhere near the same unique creative spirit of the original line up. I actually love Blue Moves as I think it was Elton's desire to explore different genres and he did so with such class; backed up with an amazing band who rose to the occasion. Blue Moves is an amazing musical statement from Elton. It doesn't have the same vibe as the other records but it's an amazing record IMHO. My favorite songs are Tonight (one of Elton's greatest compositions) One Horse Town (incredible arrangement and the band smokes (Between Seventeen and Twenty) I played that song over and over when I was a kid (Shoulder Holster) harkening back to the sound of Tumbleweed and Madman with great vocal (Chameleon) lovely song Elton wrote for The Beach Boys with excellent vocals (Someone's Final Song) beautiful (Cage The Songbird) also beautiful (Sorry Seems To Be) one of my favorite of all Elton's songs (Crazy Water) I love this track. Amazing performance by and amazing group of musicians (Out of The Blue) I was a budding magician when the album came out and I used Out of The Blue during my magic act. Listen to it and you'll see how perfect it is! As you can tell I have so much admiration for the work Elton did between 1970-76. He was such an amazing singer, songwriter, musician and performer. That's why it made it so unfathomable how profoundly he lost his way after Blue Moves. To this day I can't imagine what happened to go from Blue Moves to stuff like Single Man and then the abomination that is Victim of Love. As a kid I literally imagined aliens came and snatched Elton and left a talentless clone in his place. It was like I lost a friend. Then I discovered all the bands that inspired Elton in his youth and a whole new world was opened to me. Ultimately I found the other great artists I admire so much including the Beatles, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, The Stones, The Who and so many more. Okay I've rambles long enough! Thank you for watching and for your kind words. I hope to hear from you again! Cheers!
I didn’t care for Elton Johns music on first impression. I was invited to go see him and the band at Cobo Hall Arena 51:05 in Detroit five minutes into the concert my mind was changed with a quickness and became and have been a fan ever since. That was in 1972 October Friday night. Outstanding concert!
Wow! What a great time to see the original band! I love the recordings from 72. The band is so tight and funky on all those songs from Honky Chateau. I just posted this 84 show with the original band th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg
And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
Dee had it all. Groove, pocket, licks, melodies, embellishments. He was like a mix of Jamerson, Joe Osborn, and Macca.
What an amazing group of musicians...pure rock!!!
Agreed! Thanks for watching!
Great video with awesome footage. The Elton John Band should be considered worthy of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
They are. In Heaven.
That's assuming, of course, that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ever becomes worthy of the Elton John Band. I'll not be holding my breath.
Totally agree and thanks for highlighting this great band! Cheers from Sydney Oz 🍺🇦🇺
Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers from Seattle Washington!
There will never be another band Ever that Good❤❤😊😊😊😊
For a kid who graduated high school in 75 and saw Elton live in the 70's that was magical. Thank you for the exceptional effort.
So right man great band you’re right about the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame popularity contest
I’ve become totally disgusted with all the “awards” institutions (Grammy, RRHF etc). They don’t celebrate excellence; they celebrate money. Thanks for watching. Here’s another one you might enjoy. Dee Murray & Nigel Olsson - Elton John Stories
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Great fun and interesting. Elton fishing? That's something you don't ever see, love it.
I'm so glad someone finally noticed that photo! It's such a rare picture. It's Elton at Caribou Ranch recording studios. After he would lay down the basic tracks with the band he would take of and drink beer and go fishing. It's been said that he had no patience to wait for a fish to bite so he'd give up right away! Thanks for watching!
Funeral/Love Lies Bleeding. I HAVE GOOSEBUMPS !!!!
Thank you God for giving us Elton John and his band 🙏🇬🇧♥️
Thanks for watching! I couldn’t agree more. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thank God when I’m enjoying that beautiful music!
Unbelievably great tribute to the Elton John band. Great work, bro!
Thank you! That mean a lot! It was a labor of love and I hope to do more if I can grow my viewership. It's so hard to be seen amidst all the stuff on TH-cam. Thanks again!
One of my all time favorite songs off of the GYBR album is Harmony bc of the backing vocals. Unbelievably chilling.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Captain Fantastic. Truly 2 of the best albums and bands ever. My all time favorites. Thank you so much! I enjoyed buzzing out with you. The footage is absolutely gold! I was 6 years old when mum and dad bought yellow brick road home. I still have the albums. ❤❤
I wholeheartedly agree! Both are masterpieces. Thanks for buzzing along with me!
Dee and Nigel were the best "drivers" there were. I have always been big on how they could move that rhythm where it needed to go.
Agreed! Thank you for watching and for the kind words! I just posted this episode th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html
This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg
And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
Even though the band changed somewhat, I also love 1976's "Blue Moves." Not as consistent as some of the earlier albums but the majority of it is of such a high quality. Such a mature record. Songs like "Tonight," "Chameleon," "One Horse Town," "Between 17 and 20," "The Wide Eyed and Laughing," "Idol," etc. I was a kid when I bought that album and it blew my mind as much as "Dark Side Of The Moon," or "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" did. It challenged me to expand my taste.
I love Blue Moves, so does EJ
Agree with you 100% about those "best of all time" lists being popularity contests. Elton's band was legendary and never got their proper respect. The 11-17-70 album is SUBLIME. And it's so fun to watch you geeking out over all the little details, you make the same faces I do. 😆
Thanks for your great comments. I was feeling a little insecure as one person commented “you have a face made for radio”. It never ceases to amaze me how cruel some people can be. You made me feel a little better today. Thank you!
Thankyou God,. For Bernies storytelling. And EJ's piano.
Thank you John I think that's awesome that you know those guys... My first Elton John concert was in 1976 and I've seen him over 50 times since... I share your passion and your excellent work is appreciated.
Thank you for the wonderful comments John. I look forward to hearing from you again! Cheers!
Thanks for your detailed thoughts... I enjoyed every minute of it... and thanks for mentioning the live recording of "Honky Tonk Woman" with just Elton, Dee & Nigel beginning @ 7:16 ... it's my favorite live recording of all time... How a 3 piece band can provide that level of unique power and funk blows my head apart... and that scream right before the drums always brings a smile to my face...
Thanks for watching! I really appreciate your comments and totally agree!
Absolutely incredible piece. Put together regarding Elton John. Thank you so much.
Thank you for watching and thank you for the very kind words!
This is extraordinary. Just brings me back to Good times and makes me happy . Wonderful job.
Thanks for watching!
Dee Murray was killer. Good job highlighting this band!
Dee is my favorite bass player. Thanks for the encouragement and for watching!
I remembered when he passed, such a loss...
Jon......amazing! Thank you! I'm one of those crying non- musicians that finds himself tearing up when I'm transported to a different place while listening to that INCREDIBLE early band! Thank you for breaking it down for me into musical terms what I've been hearing and seeing since I was 15. I love love love, Nigels drumming. Thanks Jon!
Love this.
I really, really appreciate your putting into words the magical thing that was Elton and Crew's music in early-mid 70's. I was definitely an EJ fanatic. Was at Dodger Stadium '75. Also props to Gus Dudgeon for his part. So tragic his and his wife's end.
Thank you very much for your great comments! How cool you were at the dodger Stadium show. I agree with you about Gus and his wife; so sad he’s no longer here.
Jon also THANK YOU for highlighting "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" and Nigel's key role in the song. His drumming is so PERFECT and SKILLFUL it's not appreciated by many, but it's just genius, not only what he plays, but what he judiciously chooses NOT to play. The musicality of his drumming, he's not just a timekeeper and half of a rhythm section. He and Dee were important musicians in their own right, an integral part of this 5-piece mini-orchestra.
I couldn’t agree more! I discovered even more about the band when it came to synchronizing the audio from Here and There to videos from other shows. Nigel was a perfect time keeper while laying back so far on the beat that gave the music such a great feel. Thanks again for watching and your great commentary!
Thank you for this - I just finished it and it was a really exciting, entertaining trip back to the best time period of Elton John’s music (and one of the best times for music in general). He couldn’t have had a better group of musicians to make up the Elton John Band of that time. I wish they would’ve continued for many more years as this lineup. A perfect rock band with an awesome sound. Elton’s music never sounded the same after these guys and I just wound up, pretty much, losing interest in his stuff that came after the band he had here. His music softened but he kept cranking out the hits. I totally lost interest in anything he did around the 80s and after.
Thank you for watching! I agree with every word (sadly). I don't know if you checked out my channel but I just posted this episode th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html
This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg
And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
I especially enjoyed you enjoying EJB like the rest of us🙏🏽
Thank you so much for your comment! I’m glad that you enjoyed watching me geek out 😆. I know that I’m like so many of you out there who love this music so much. I hope you subscribe because there’s more on the way. Thanks for watching!
Buddy ! I love you because you love him as much as i love him
Thank you for watching and for the kind words! I just posted this episode th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html
This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg
And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
I’ve seen a lot of rockumentary videos on TH-cam, but this video is one of the best ever. This is your calling! It’s a perfect blend of audio, video, documentary, and you jamming out! I’d love to see more videos like this. Some suggestions would be a video for each of Elton John’s albums from the 1970’s. It would also be cool to see you do the same thing with the discography of Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, KISS, and others. I will be watching this video many ore times. THANK YOU!!!
Wow Jeff! You totally made my day; actually my month! Thank you so much for the encouraging words. As a true music fan yourself I’m sure you can imagine how cool it is to get feedback from others. I have a huge and growing list of videos I am ready to produce. I can only invest limited time for now; but my hope is to grow my subscribers to the point I can do videos full time. Anything you can do to spread the word is greatly appreciated. Thanks again!
Totally agree! I bought 11-17-70 when it first came out, one of my most favorite live records of all time, absolutely the best!
It's amazing that Elton Bernie and they all came together with the most beautiful 🎶 🎵 ⏹️ 🪕 ❤😊
This was excellent. I forgot how big Elton was in the 1970s. I loved this behind the scenes look at his music. This was an absolute monster of a band.
As a Zepp fan I always remind people that Zepp was the biggest band of the 70's. As far as album sales and attendance. (Certainly not as far as fame and household recognition.) Anyway, I've seen some stats on Elton that blew my mind.
It would have been interesting to have a contest in say, 1975, when both bands were at the height of their popularity, to see how many nights in a row the two bands could sell out Madison Square Garden. They'd alternate nights. It would be close, and I could be wrong, but I'd give the edge to Zeppelin. One reason being that teenage boys would probably try and see Zeppelin multiple times. I don't think your average adult couple would see the sense in seeing Elton multiple times.
I feel like you made this just for me. Its nice to know someone feels like I do hearing this group of musicians
You don't know how that warms my heart! Sincerely. Thank you for the kind words. Based on your comments I know you’ll enjoy this video about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
.....my ALL-time favorite: "I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford)" - would argue it's their BEST ballad.....
To me ,1970-1975 were Elton John's best work!!!
Thank You so much, Jon, for your work and dedication! You have definitely archived a period of music that should never be forgotten! Hopefully Bernie will join EJ as one of the most prolific song writer teams that ever gave us their music!
Thanks for watching and the your comments! It looks like they just inducted Bernie into the RRHF!
@@JonBlackstone Well..."its about time" news! Thanks, Jon! Congrats to Bernie, and Elton! And, once again, Thank YOU!
@@eldergeektromeo9868For any reasons - so obscure and obvious at the same time, creative period from 1970 to 1975 would remain unsurpassed and remain there in our collective minds as a monolithic time capsule. Thanks again a thousand times for this rehabiliting compilation of major public interest, to keep on memories vivid. Hats off.
Elton was my favorite artist in the 70s. He seemed to rule the 1970s airwaves. I loved Chicago and Paul McCartney and Wings too. I was too young for Led Zeppelin, my parents listened to AM radio.
You and I would have been pals! I love Paul and Wings, Chicago. And like you I was just a little to young to be into Zeppelin (although I discovered them in my later teen years). I don't know if you subscribed but I just released this new Elton video th-cam.com/video/FtfIWGo50xE/w-d-xo.html
This is a fantastic 1984 show with the original band th-cam.com/video/BShA0x4QioA/w-d-xo.html&lc=Ugws5E9V9uPYN5urbZt4AaABAg
And this video is about my experiences with Dee and Nigel th-cam.com/video/K4XLH6CEHS0/w-d-xo.html
And this is footage of Nigel recording on my first album th-cam.com/video/9knxV4LNu0k/w-d-xo.html
@@JonBlackstoneMany youngsters have struggled with Zep. When I was young IDK exactly why but I found Zeppellin maybe too intense or just not enough bounce in it. IDK exactly why. I was 24 or so before I really got into them. I was born in 1963 so that was my timeline.
@@spaceghost8995 I was born in 64 and I felt the same way about Zepp. But I grew to love them; especially after I became a guitar player. I especially love Bonham. What a great drummer. Thanks for watching!
Evel Knievel . Just watched the 1975 Wembley jump on here TH-cam. He makes a big speech before the jump . Henry Cooper was there the heavyweight who nearly knocked out Ali . Keith Moon was there ! Evel says hello to them both . So great to see the kids my age , the clothes , the mums and Dads . Didn’t see the speech before today . Incredible
I love hearing all the stories you share. Just want you to know. I really appreciate your comments and enjoy reading them. As always thanks for watching!