To this day, Elton John’s two-night performance at Los Angeles Dodger Stadium were one of the most memorable performances of his career. The concerts were held on October 25 and 26, 1975. More than 100,000 people, including Elton’s parents, relatives, office workers, and neighbors flew in from the UK to witness history in the making (EltonJohn). The two main things that influenced the iconicity of these concerts were Elton’s career, and the experience he provided for his fans. At this point, Elton’s career was incredibly successful. The week of the concerts was an incredible week for Elton John, not just because of his performance, but also because of all the praise he received that week. On October 24, 1975, Elton John received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Los Angeles Mayor, Tom Watson officially declared it “Elton John Week.” This was the first ceremony that had to close down blocks of Hollywood Boulevard in order the accommodate the massive number of fans attending. Fans from all over the nation came to the ceremony and stayed for the concert. To top it all off, that same week the Rock of the Westies album debuted at #1.
With a week like that, it was only expected that John was going to give the performance of a lifetime. On Saturday, October 25, fans started lining up at the stadium gates at dawn and waited until 10 am for the gates to open. All of them had General Admissions tickets, meaning that there was no assigned seating, it was a first-come, first-serve situation. When asked about their experiences, fans shared the excitement and anticipation of the spectacular performance.
Some fan quotes include:
“I got up at 4:30 am and was picked up by a car-load of friends. Breakfast at Spires and I was ready for Dodger Stadium. We sat field level, behind first base. My first concert ever! I’ll never forget the anticipation. From behind the curtain, we heard the twinkling of some piano keys. The throng of more than 50,000 fans went wild! Moments later the curtain opened and Elton launched into Your Song. I can’t remember when that song had ever sounded so sweet.”
– Fan Bob Northington from Torrance, CA.
“My first concert! Got there at 6 am. I remember dancing to every song Elton sang and never sitting down. My legs hurt so much from dancing and my cheeks from smiling and laughing so much. I knew then that Elton would always be my favorite singer and I would spend every dollar earned in my teenage years on his music!”
– Fan Terri Delfosse from Alamo, CA
“There is no moment in my life that will ever compare to the moment when Elton first appeared on stage at Dodger Stadium. My whole young being changed in that moment. I had never experienced fans so thrilled to be seeing a performer appear on stage. In that moment I felt one with music and everyone in Dodger Stadium. During the first set, it was just amazing when Elton unexpectedly threw his hat high above and into the crowd. Seeing those thousands of hands lift up high into the sky along with the roar of the crowd is something I will never forget.”
-Fan Robert J. Weedman from Los Angeles, CA
“This wasn’t just a concert, this was an experience. We were all transfixed by the music, the party atmosphere and the sheer joy of being there, knowing that we were seeing something very special with 50,000 of our new best friends. Nothing beat the thrill of hearing 50,000 plus fans shouting ‘Saturday! Saturday!’ back at Elton. I don’t think we came down from the Dodger Stadium experience for a month!”
-Fan Pat K. from Ohio
“I was 15 and brought a neighbor with me who was only 12…just two young girls on an adventure. After the concert, we had to find my mom in the maddening crowd, and we somehow did! It was a great concert, my first, and was filled with extraordinary memories for a lifetime!”
-Fan Suzette Newlander from Woodland Hills, CA
Elton John’s fans idolized him. His performance was a historical moment in all of these fans. Bob Northington, his fan from Torrance, California even had a friend embroider him a work shirt with Elton’s Time magazine cover of July 7, 1975, so he could wear it to the big day (EltonJohn). Whether it was camping outside the stadium to get great seats, creating fantastic posters, or wearing shirts paying homage to Elton, people prepared for this day in unimaginable ways. In a video of one of his performances, you can see a fan wearing a shirt that said: “You’re better off dead if you haven’t heard Elton John.” (EltonJohn).His fans were serious and dedicated.
Elton’s fans weren’t the only ones who shared the experience at Dodger Stadium, photographer Terry O’Neill had the honor of photographing the events. When asked about the performances, O’Neill said, “You have to remember, in October 1975, no one was bigger than Elton John. He was like Elvis at the height of his career. It is impossible to try to explain to people today what it was like – numerous number one albums, touring non-stop, recording non-stop, media, press, television…he was everywhere. Elton still is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met, and he gave his all at those concerts” (EltonJohn). O’Neill ended up using 50 rolls of film over the two nights.
