GOOD GOD, what a difference from the performances of recent years,or rather ,decades! But of course,its not at all just what has happened to Elton,but rather,indicative of what has happened to our whole society and culture.
@Lightner445555555555 Hi. The Soviet Communist government made a totalitarian dictatorship out of Russia for many decades. Tens of millions of Russian citizens were enslaved in prisoner work camps in Siberia, or they were simply "disappeared" by the KGB (secret police).
Audiences were deathly afraid to fully enjoy themselves or show their true appreciation. In fact it was the Soviet regime that decided Elton could not tour with his full band. So it was just him and Ray. And they STILL rocked!
@OronOfMontreal Hi. I come from Poland which used to ba a communist regime too and if the system was the same as in my country (and I'm sure it was - we were obliged to copy everything from our Big Brother) It may sound strange but the audience were not ordinary Elton's fans. They were carefully selected from local activists to represent different factorys, collective farms, the intelligence, scientists, miners, welders etc. Tickets were not available for ordinary people. They were sad times...
Thank you for your perspective, Triangulus. I had forgotten that behind the Iron Curtain, members and officials of the Communist Party were given special privileges from time to time. Most such privileges were not as special as a night of Elton John music, of course. It was a fearful time indeed, and it looks as though Mother Russia is attempting to re-establish the totalitarianism of the Soviet era. Sad, as you wrote.
@TriangulusPoloniae were available, BUT! it was very hard to get them because they were sold very quickly. And yes, many authorities saw that concert, but I dont really think that they had a great fun from it
@OronOfMontreal, TENS OF MILLIONS of Russian citizens were enslaved? Are you kidding us? It's rather sad to realise that someone who doesnt have enough knowledge about the topic tries to persuade us that it was in that way. Why not tens of billions were eaten by Stalin? What do YOU know about Russia except vodka, sputnik and glasnost'? Oh, if we are talking seriously, I cant deny, that many Russians, Ukraines etc were prosecuted, but MUCH more less.
Totally staggeringly brilliant.What the Russians thought of it I'm not too sure,but they were lucky to see Elton at his very best and as for Ray Cooper,charima from every pore.The whole video takes your breath away.
saw this tour in atlanta, 79, civic center, was utterly amazed how only 2 men could create such sounds and entertainment, elton has always been amazing, he and ray have a great chemistry
Awsome song! Amazing lyrics Bernie. First heard this LIVE on the Single Man Tour 1978 in the intimate setting of Bristol hippodrome. Was blown away by Ray Cooper. I'd owned the Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy album since 1975. Bought it mainly for Alan Aldridges artwork on the cover (I have always been AA fan). But it was Ray Cooper on percussion on that night that turned me on the album for life! Again. . . Awesome!
I have always loved Elton John - and I would recommend any one who has a love for this song just to check out on youtube Elton John Better off dead feat. Ray Cooper 2010 and just listen to how they both some 31 years later preform just as brilliantly together
I love this song! Me and my mom (whos been a die hard fan of Elton since his very beginings) have a running joke that whenever Elton sings without glasses, it means he's as high as a kite lol
Man, Elton John never ceases to impress me. And that percussionist, Ray Cooper, well, he has a passionate playing style you don't see much in percussionists today. Really a well-done performance. I'm so glad I'm seeing Elton John next month, I'll have to hope they play this one!
elton looks so sweet and young in this video and heis fantastic as is ray cooper on percussion.very lively rendition that mirrors the brilliance of emerging artists back then
I do like these kind of songs of Elton that is not so popular... Better of Dead demonster the true tallent of him as a musician, as a singer... And... Ray Cooper is the maximum also... Love for all!
Fantastic! like the album this song comes from and i hope the concert Elton did in 1975 promoting his captain fantastic album now available just in audio as a bonus cd in the anniversary edition release a couple years ago must be in video some day too!
Концертный зал гостиницы "Россия". 1979 год. В зале представители элиты тех лет: торговля, ВПК, валютные спекулянты и мажоры. Вынос мозга у всех кто им обладал состоялся. Никто в СССР в то время на таком уровне не работал. ( from Russia ) Magnifico!
with the limited instuments available on this perfectly electifying song illustrates elton's fantastic voice. the only other male artist that i believe could rival elton in this situation would have been don mclean who can sing archipelgo magnificently.
This must be sped up, because it's about 1/2 step higher than what he plays it in (Db). This also followed Funeral For A Friend/Tonight, so the audience is probably adjusting to the gravedigger-looking, manic insanity of Ray Cooper.
watch the documentary mr myself and I. He said he made it a rule not to be under the influence of anything on stage but he let that slde in the 80's still theres something off about him here. why sing so fast?
In this live performance Eltons own voice is backing vocal to his own voice....it's really like there are two voices.....a choice few vocalists have this kinda voice. John Lennon too...
i managed to find the docu-video of this concert via Interlibrary loan. this was simply amazing the way that just the two of them pulled off the whole show.
in the biography his song. elton was amazed that nobody was getting up and cheering or dancing during the songs. but this was the iron curtain russia. they had armed guards to make sure people stayed in their seats as to not give off a bad image of their country by being hooligans. its kinda sad when ya think about it
Great ! One of my favorite song. I recommend to watch this concert in DVD, it's awesome : just this wonderfull piano and Ray cooper for the lively percussions. May the Captain fantastic live forever.
raw indeed. ah, nervousness, that is the attribute of innocence that i have found so likeable in his earlier days. is there any other artist in the world who could go up on stage with a percussionist and one musical instrument and create this kind of magic? this whole thing was such an awesome video!! thanks!
Recently saw this whole concert on FOXTEL in OZ. Brilliant. Elton at his nervous best. Terrified that the Moscow crowd would not appreciate what they were doing. (They did). The Finale-Saturday Night etc was awsum. Would be great to see that posted. Ray Cooper brilliant thoughout..
Now that truly was, an AMAZING voice he had back then. I've always admired Elton John and his music has brought so much passion and meaning to my life. I quite like him around this time and for me he's at the top of his game, without a doubt BRAVE Elton!! 10/10.
he is also probably high on cocaine, he was from about 1975 until 1990 listen to his voice its extremely nasal, he ended up actually losing his voice from too much drugs
Heavy marijuana use contributed to him developing the nodules on his vocal chords (he's said so) but it can also be caused by over use or straining your voice. I think both things together caused the problems & age lowers voice too saw him in 95 voice was great just lower
He was probably just "in the mood" for blue eyeshadow. Not everything he did between 75 &90 that was strange or weird was because of cocaine. The foot tall red & white striped wig in 86 THAT was probably cocaine induced!
yeah...i have the "to russia....with elton" on VHS....i can't remember where i got it but i've had it for over 10 years! i have a quite a collection of elton stuff too....it's great to see this stuff on the net!!
I saw him on the US leg of this tour at the Palladium in NYC. It was a time when Elton's popularity was at an all-time low, due to the emergence of the disco era. People always were and always will be sheep - it's their nature. So instead of seeing Elton with the awesome Ray Cooper on a solo tour, they opted for Studio 54 in all its fakeness.
He's been my idol since 1976. In 1997, I had everything there was to be had by the Master, on LP and CD and most of the 45's (for the B-sides). But I lost it all, due to a fire.
Thanks to LimeWire, I've been able to get everything back, but I still plan to go get the albums back (again!!). Over the years, I have spent more money on Elton John than anybody else. I stayed on top of his new albums all the way up to "The Big Picture".
Well, happy birthday. I'll have to post some clips of why he's been my idol all these years. Not the just the Top 40 hits, but the album tracks that I've always loved.
1:37 Caption - "I just farted hehe"
gibsondanny 1 week ago in playlist Favorite videos
Seeing EJ in 1979 anyone noticed how much He and his voice seemed to have aged by the time 1980 hit?
Lightner445555555555 3 weeks ago
flawless
ObiwannabeKenobi 1 month ago
1:37 CAPTION - "The guy next to me just farted, and i find that funny hehe"
gibsondanny 3 months ago in playlist gibsondanny's favourites
Best performance of this song by both Elton and Ray. Love the way he looks at the audience as he hammers the percussion!
peccer69 5 months ago
the crowd look so wooden
chumkui999 7 months ago
GOOD GOD, what a difference from the performances of recent years,or rather ,decades! But of course,its not at all just what has happened to Elton,but rather,indicative of what has happened to our whole society and culture.
watayapupuya 8 months ago in playlist Elton John
Drums were great! Fantastic song.
SJPMI6 8 months ago
This is GREAT!!! Thanks for finding this.
statman99 9 months ago
Ray Cooper was brilliant on percussion.
Love the Russian crowd enjoying themselves but not trying to show too much emotion, scared shitless of their government
Hilarious
johncuschieri 9 months ago
@johncuschieri why what was wrong with their government?
Lightner445555555555 8 months ago
@Lightner445555555555
Nothing about government.Never mind.If you don't know .
watayapupuya 8 months ago
@Lightner445555555555 Hi. The Soviet Communist government made a totalitarian dictatorship out of Russia for many decades. Tens of millions of Russian citizens were enslaved in prisoner work camps in Siberia, or they were simply "disappeared" by the KGB (secret police).
Audiences were deathly afraid to fully enjoy themselves or show their true appreciation. In fact it was the Soviet regime that decided Elton could not tour with his full band. So it was just him and Ray. And they STILL rocked!
OronOfMontreal 6 months ago
@OronOfMontreal OMG that's so sad!!
Lightner445555555555 6 months ago
@OronOfMontreal Hi. I come from Poland which used to ba a communist regime too and if the system was the same as in my country (and I'm sure it was - we were obliged to copy everything from our Big Brother) It may sound strange but the audience were not ordinary Elton's fans. They were carefully selected from local activists to represent different factorys, collective farms, the intelligence, scientists, miners, welders etc. Tickets were not available for ordinary people. They were sad times...
TriangulusPoloniae 4 months ago
@TriangulusPoloniae
Thank you for your perspective, Triangulus. I had forgotten that behind the Iron Curtain, members and officials of the Communist Party were given special privileges from time to time. Most such privileges were not as special as a night of Elton John music, of course. It was a fearful time indeed, and it looks as though Mother Russia is attempting to re-establish the totalitarianism of the Soviet era. Sad, as you wrote.
OronOfMontreal 4 months ago
@TriangulusPoloniae were available, BUT! it was very hard to get them because they were sold very quickly. And yes, many authorities saw that concert, but I dont really think that they had a great fun from it
Moonberry94 4 weeks ago
@OronOfMontreal, TENS OF MILLIONS of Russian citizens were enslaved? Are you kidding us? It's rather sad to realise that someone who doesnt have enough knowledge about the topic tries to persuade us that it was in that way. Why not tens of billions were eaten by Stalin? What do YOU know about Russia except vodka, sputnik and glasnost'? Oh, if we are talking seriously, I cant deny, that many Russians, Ukraines etc were prosecuted, but MUCH more less.
Moonberry94 4 weeks ago
@OronOfMontreal By the way! KGB was formed in 1954 and the GULAG("prisoner work camps in Siberia"(c)) stopped its existence by this time.
Moonberry94 4 weeks ago
Ray Cooper was brillian on percussion.
Love the Russian crowd enjoying themselves but not trying to show too much emotion, scared shitless of their government
Hilarious
johncuschieri 9 months ago
I love him.
eleanorrigbyism 10 months ago
Isn't this from "To Russia With Elton?"
mariofarecraft2 11 months ago
Лучше студийной версии! Браво!
serz1971 11 months ago
how to make Elton's best song better!!!
rossi5010 11 months ago
Genius. A one-man band (2 with Ray Cooper).
RRSchwab 1 year ago
fucking miserable audience...i think it was the first show they ever got to see back in those days...
mhvr85 1 year ago
the audience is not miserable. they are listening carefully , because it's the first time Elton John was in Moscow, in USSR.
lllusium 1 year ago 4
what a magnificent performance back all those years by two very great artists
johncuschieri 1 year ago
IMHO Elton's songs sound better when stripped down like this. There is something about the way he plays the piano.
jb0177 1 year ago
that audience look so fucking miserable.... THIS SONG IS SO AWESOME
gibsondanny 1 year ago 2
@gibsondanny sssh, they're listening ;)
eegphalanges 1 year ago
there just isn't talent being produced like these two gentlemen
jferkfjkj 1 year ago 3
Totally staggeringly brilliant.What the Russians thought of it I'm not too sure,but they were lucky to see Elton at his very best and as for Ray Cooper,charima from every pore.The whole video takes your breath away.
robstott123 1 year ago 2
@robstott123 What we thought of it? We loved him.
chapaev36 1 year ago
saw this tour in atlanta, 79, civic center, was utterly amazed how only 2 men could create such sounds and entertainment, elton has always been amazing, he and ray have a great chemistry
stonemiddleton 1 year ago 2
Awsome song! Amazing lyrics Bernie. First heard this LIVE on the Single Man Tour 1978 in the intimate setting of Bristol hippodrome. Was blown away by Ray Cooper. I'd owned the Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy album since 1975. Bought it mainly for Alan Aldridges artwork on the cover (I have always been AA fan). But it was Ray Cooper on percussion on that night that turned me on the album for life! Again. . . Awesome!
butterflydancerlady 1 year ago 8
Love This Album!!!:)
SweetEmotions2000 1 year ago 2
Elton. that was hell of a lick you took it at. Maybe he wanted to get home soon :)
PZK12 1 year ago
I will never stop saying this, What a talent this guy is!
cafinario 1 year ago 3
Save to Forevere! (FrenchieE)! WOW!
oleobutter 1 year ago
he said he would not go on stage coked up in the 70's but I think he was here
weirdguy75 1 year ago
Your right Dan, I've never seen Elton look like this. Its strange seeing his eyes while he sings... Donna
kinglynne 1 year ago
Love that little thing Ray does at 1:25. He's just so amusing to watch.
PianoShapedObject 1 year ago 2
I have always loved Elton John - and I would recommend any one who has a love for this song just to check out on youtube Elton John Better off dead feat. Ray Cooper 2010 and just listen to how they both some 31 years later preform just as brilliantly together
2010bernadettec 1 year ago
RAY COOPER!
gooskigo 1 year ago 2
I love this song! Me and my mom (whos been a die hard fan of Elton since his very beginings) have a running joke that whenever Elton sings without glasses, it means he's as high as a kite lol
NurseWeber25 1 year ago 2
Man, Elton John never ceases to impress me. And that percussionist, Ray Cooper, well, he has a passionate playing style you don't see much in percussionists today. Really a well-done performance. I'm so glad I'm seeing Elton John next month, I'll have to hope they play this one!
PinkFloyd47 1 year ago 2
THis IS IT!
oleobutter 1 year ago
elton looks so sweet and young in this video and heis fantastic as is ray cooper on percussion.very lively rendition that mirrors the brilliance of emerging artists back then
johncuschieri 1 year ago 2
I do like these kind of songs of Elton that is not so popular... Better of Dead demonster the true tallent of him as a musician, as a singer... And... Ray Cooper is the maximum also... Love for all!
MrConcilia 1 year ago
this is dope
timmydawg1 1 year ago
The entire "To Russia with Elton" documentary is now available for download on itunes!
288Elizabeth 1 year ago
Elton's piano playing is exquisite.
The piano talks to you and Ray cooper is fantastic on percussion.
Elton's performance is electrifying i think he stuns or mesmorises the audience.
johncuschieri 1 year ago
In my opinion, Ray Cooper hasn't changed at all :)
EtoileLituanienne 1 year ago
hes adorable here
sav1262 1 year ago
Not to mention my exreme fondness for Elton, this Drummer is Awesome! ;-)
oleobutter 1 year ago 2
@oleobutter I agree
albertop952 1 year ago
What a cutie ; ) lol
288Elizabeth 1 year ago
I like the old guy who plays the drums!
thesicilianboy 1 year ago
@thesicilianboy Yep. Ray Cooper. He played on many of EJ's albums in the 70s.
Billyjk72 1 year ago
WOOOO RAY COOPER :)
ymmijv3 1 year ago
I would like to know the Mentor of this young man!
oleobutter 2 years ago
his grandmother lol. he has been playing piano since the age of three. he is 62 or 63 now
pianoplayinman 2 years ago
great
highwayman9631 2 years ago
NO GLASSES...WOW !!!!!
tierza218 2 years ago 8
lol 1:33, the audience is like "What... the fuck..."
youvebeenthunderstru 2 years ago
Great song. Great performance. Terrible mix.
banjometal 2 years ago
ray cooper is so cool ! he just adds to an already perfect song!
jondalar410 2 years ago 3
Ray Cooper infatigable compañero fiel en toda la carrera de elton john desde youtube...la honorable sociedad
lahonorable 2 years ago
Fantastic! like the album this song comes from and i hope the concert Elton did in 1975 promoting his captain fantastic album now available just in audio as a bonus cd in the anniversary edition release a couple years ago must be in video some day too!
MyRickyz 2 years ago
Концертный зал гостиницы "Россия". 1979 год. В зале представители элиты тех лет: торговля, ВПК, валютные спекулянты и мажоры. Вынос мозга у всех кто им обладал состоялся. Никто в СССР в то время на таком уровне не работал. ( from Russia ) Magnifico!
serz1971 2 years ago
@serz1971 Translate, please.
albertop952 2 years ago
the nose wipe is obvious
teechef 2 years ago
Best performance!
albertop952 2 years ago
with the limited instuments available on this perfectly electifying song illustrates elton's fantastic voice. the only other male artist that i believe could rival elton in this situation would have been don mclean who can sing archipelgo magnificently.
johncuschieri 2 years ago 3
oh yes,you hit nail on head with betta off dead
rousham1959 2 years ago
los pelos como escarpias, que grandeza!!!
PhilipHuertas 2 years ago
This must be sped up, because it's about 1/2 step higher than what he plays it in (Db). This also followed Funeral For A Friend/Tonight, so the audience is probably adjusting to the gravedigger-looking, manic insanity of Ray Cooper.
jamesrr1 2 years ago 3
PAL speed-up.
chenlung1 2 years ago
Trovatemi qualcuno che in Europa sappia fare altrettanto!
albertop952 2 years ago
BRILLIANT!!!
weottertalk 2 years ago 2
Probably his best song...
badbadloki 2 years ago
damn so young to !!!
pdb1966 2 years ago
watch the documentary mr myself and I. He said he made it a rule not to be under the influence of anything on stage but he let that slde in the 80's still theres something off about him here. why sing so fast?
weirdguy75 2 years ago
yeah he seems sort of.... jumpy mabey...
but theis song is really fast..
coolfunkandthefab4 2 years ago
The audience at 1:33 is like wtf?
hamtrak 2 years ago 2
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jbnh 2 years ago
Comment removed
talavabnorr96 2 years ago
This is great
A great album
And Ray Cooper, awesome percussionist!
livemusichead1 2 years ago 2
this perforance is ten times better than his 60th bday show. hes prolly on coke during this but it still makes for a fantastic performance
jwixy1714 2 years ago 4
I second that
joeman714 2 years ago
why u say "hes prolly on coke during this"? Did he says it? Or just your opinion?
KETPR 2 years ago
its pretty well known that he was a severe coke addict during this period and spanning well into the eighties, so its just an educated guess
jwixy1714 2 years ago
He also claimed that he never took stage under the influence, only a few times a little buzzed from alcohol.
cadetleader 2 years ago
ELTON & COOPER in Paris 10/2009 - YEEEEES!!!!!
'Cause I'm on the stage tonight
And if the price is right
I will amaze before the light I crave the light
Blinding white I need the light tonight
taschi71 2 years ago
I bloody love this song.
schnozz87 2 years ago
Maybe my favourite Elton John youtube videos. Nicely done!
LinkandMarioman 2 years ago
Don't forget, Hiolland rules !
oleobutter 2 years ago
MY ELTON, HAND'S OFF !!!!!!!!!
oleobutter 2 years ago
¡WOW!
Suddenly I understand why Elton John is one of my Dad's favorites. ...and Ray Cooper is really cool! :)
snuttanP 2 years ago 17
In this live performance Eltons own voice is backing vocal to his own voice....it's really like there are two voices.....a choice few vocalists have this kinda voice. John Lennon too...
theheartislowtolearn 2 years ago
There is artist, they are not copiable. The talent of sir Elton Johns proves this thesis impressively.
Auchnureinmann 2 years ago
I love this version
Aspartamkill 2 years ago
I relate to this. Thank You Elton !
oleobutter 2 years ago
WOW! I've never seen this! TY!
TonyTuthill 2 years ago
this is just genius ..pure magic
findingcharlotte 2 years ago 2
Ray Cooper is Dr Crippen
& 1:49 bum note by Elton
I saw the single man show at Glasgow Appollo
theheartislowtolearn 2 years ago
Awesome
TroubleAhead 2 years ago 2
Ray Cooper's look at 1:13 - so fucking creepy, so fucking awesome
bestyetpictures 2 years ago
you could say he is the ron mael of the percussion world
fascistamericadotnet 2 years ago
at 2:36 the ruskies look like they're watching the martians that have just landed on earth
theheartislowtolearn 2 years ago
what a portfolio ...to be able to exlude this from the 34 song greatest hits b set
if I wrote this I'd be telling about it in bars as a fat slob for the rest o my life
theheartislowtolearn 2 years ago
This is sheer brilliance! :)
pereast 2 years ago
amazing elton john/ray cooper the whole thing is amazing thank u for posting ;-)
johnlaminor 3 years ago
Does anyone have sheet music for this? I'd love to find some!
deni4c 3 years ago
Gli fu concesso, come accompagnamento, solo un percussionista. Il concerto, memorabile, fu trasmesso dalla RAI per intero.
albertop952 3 years ago
i managed to find the docu-video of this concert via Interlibrary loan. this was simply amazing the way that just the two of them pulled off the whole show.
doofus0123 3 years ago
What's up with the make-up??
That's the only thing that ruins it for me.
martinone9 3 years ago
What a double act! Ray Cooper is just the best.
navubabu 3 years ago
he's so high....
mensultimategrooming 3 years ago
Elton is truly spellbinding. Amazing, yet again.
picaroon02 3 years ago
SIR Elton, THANK YOU!!!!!!!
oleobutter 3 years ago
The Russian audience looks totally perplexed. Yet, they cheered at the end. Wonderful job EJ.
tsdr4 3 years ago 2
in the biography his song. elton was amazed that nobody was getting up and cheering or dancing during the songs. but this was the iron curtain russia. they had armed guards to make sure people stayed in their seats as to not give off a bad image of their country by being hooligans. its kinda sad when ya think about it
pianoplayinman 3 years ago 3
Excellent video! I have this concert on CD: "Single Man in Moscow". The best bootleg I ever bought.
dirtchimp88 3 years ago
genio!
inkanti 3 years ago 2
Thanks Mrs. Patriotti!
thesicilianboy 3 years ago
Great performance.. Ray Cooper was awesome..
cmays637 3 years ago 2
great elton, great ray.
Matteino85 3 years ago
Ray... menacing skillsss...just watch his face
theperson37 3 years ago 6
Great ! One of my favorite song. I recommend to watch this concert in DVD, it's awesome : just this wonderfull piano and Ray cooper for the lively percussions. May the Captain fantastic live forever.
R4YMI 3 years ago
Unbelievably great, 100% underrated tune!
heli0tr0pe 3 years ago 2
Who is the man on the drums? He is awsome. The arrangement is great.
alexthe22 3 years ago 2
Ray cooper.
FreakinImageFilms 3 years ago 3
His gaze<3
chinesetorture 3 years ago
Love this song!
Marrebarren 3 years ago
love elton john!!! so awesome! simply superb elton.
soulpatrol5 3 years ago
Ray Cooper is da'man!
hamtrak 3 years ago
This is Elton at his best, but I'm curious, did he have backing vocals for parts of this?
If it is just Elton then it is amazing.
Craig1032003 3 years ago
A chorus effect was put on his voice.
theunusualbreed 3 years ago
no its just elton
princev11 2 years ago
Elton is amazing :)
eltonj4ever 3 years ago
raw indeed. ah, nervousness, that is the attribute of innocence that i have found so likeable in his earlier days. is there any other artist in the world who could go up on stage with a percussionist and one musical instrument and create this kind of magic? this whole thing was such an awesome video!! thanks!
doofus0123 3 years ago 2
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johncuschieri 2 years ago
very raw and nervous but exhillerating, he was awesome. thanks for posting the video,excelent!!
johncuschieri 3 years ago 2
This is a fantastic song bravo
ivoryman996 3 years ago
Recently saw this whole concert on FOXTEL in OZ. Brilliant. Elton at his nervous best. Terrified that the Moscow crowd would not appreciate what they were doing. (They did). The Finale-Saturday Night etc was awsum. Would be great to see that posted. Ray Cooper brilliant thoughout..
ashifo07 3 years ago
Now that truly was, an AMAZING voice he had back then. I've always admired Elton John and his music has brought so much passion and meaning to my life. I quite like him around this time and for me he's at the top of his game, without a doubt BRAVE Elton!! 10/10.
Survivalist 3 years ago 2
he still has an amazing voice :) even at 62
princev11 2 years ago
ELTON IS AT HIS BEST!!!!! i can't stop listening to this song! GOD bless the one who posted this!
LIGO4less 3 years ago
You're all too kind! :p
ieh89 3 years ago
5 stars. great video, great sound. thanks for posting
utubeindc 3 years ago
Thanks! Do u have the whole show?
youvalss 4 years ago
this version of this song is great
one question though..
does he have eyeshadow on?
funnygals94 4 years ago
I'd say almost certainly... is that a problem? :)
ieh89 4 years ago
oh no definitely not!
elton john is only my single favorite person on this earth!
more to him if he wants to put eyeshadow on!
funnygals94 4 years ago
Lovely shade of blue, isn't it? LOL
With the dark theatre style lighting they had for these shows it works.
72miche19 3 years ago
he is also probably high on cocaine, he was from about 1975 until 1990 listen to his voice its extremely nasal, he ended up actually losing his voice from too much drugs
norkam 3 years ago
Heavy marijuana use contributed to him developing the nodules on his vocal chords (he's said so) but it can also be caused by over use or straining your voice. I think both things together caused the problems & age lowers voice too saw him in 95 voice was great just lower
He was probably just "in the mood" for blue eyeshadow. Not everything he did between 75 &90 that was strange or weird was because of cocaine. The foot tall red & white striped wig in 86 THAT was probably cocaine induced!
72miche19 3 years ago
Ya look at the way his eyes move lol
RecycleYo 3 years ago
Elton at his best! I have not heard that for years.Thank you very much for sharing that with us,ieh89,
twamley 4 years ago
Great tune!
scottalexander44 4 years ago
1 of my fave elton singles
tituana555 4 years ago
this is already on DVD i bought it like a year ago
FutureAbe 4 years ago
if the thorn of a rose is a thorn in your side-youre better off dead if u havnt yet dieeeeeed.........
ilfaychaud 4 years ago
yeah...i have the "to russia....with elton" on VHS....i can't remember where i got it but i've had it for over 10 years! i have a quite a collection of elton stuff too....it's great to see this stuff on the net!!
avth76 4 years ago
Ray Cooper rocks!
jaredgetsacookie 4 years ago
It is out on a DVD called 'To Russia With Elton', but I wish others were out (circulating amongst collectors on LDs etc).
chenlung1 4 years ago
I saw him on the US leg of this tour at the Palladium in NYC. It was a time when Elton's popularity was at an all-time low, due to the emergence of the disco era. People always were and always will be sheep - it's their nature. So instead of seeing Elton with the awesome Ray Cooper on a solo tour, they opted for Studio 54 in all its fakeness.
teaandtheatre 4 years ago
it probably never will
greatnessclyde 4 years ago
Hope this will be Out soon on DVD
ranchoboyeros 4 years ago
BRAVO ! BRAVO !
Gerri000 4 years ago
I hope that ELTON will pu this on a DVD Video
Set of the original video shown on HBO and one
of the concerts in full that he played for the
Russian people in '79.
zisoul 4 years ago 4
LOVE THIS SONG!! Never does Bernie Taupin's lyrics fail to blow me away. Thanks for posting this!
ShesAFrozenFire 4 years ago
Also that is the same cap he wears on the album cover of "The Thom Bell Sessions".
DalrockTX 4 years ago
Your attention to detail is quite impressive!
ieh89 4 years ago
He's been my idol since 1976. In 1997, I had everything there was to be had by the Master, on LP and CD and most of the 45's (for the B-sides). But I lost it all, due to a fire.
DalrockTX 4 years ago
That sucks :( have you managed to replace some of it?
ieh89 4 years ago
Thanks to LimeWire, I've been able to get everything back, but I still plan to go get the albums back (again!!). Over the years, I have spent more money on Elton John than anybody else. I stayed on top of his new albums all the way up to "The Big Picture".
DalrockTX 4 years ago
Wow! Unfortunately I'm just a tiny bit too young to have managed that, I only turned 18 yesterday :p
ieh89 4 years ago
Well, happy birthday. I'll have to post some clips of why he's been my idol all these years. Not the just the Top 40 hits, but the album tracks that I've always loved.
DalrockTX 4 years ago