I heard this song for the first time at camp when I was just about to start junior high. He dominated the US charts in the US. He does creative collaboration with other artists. His musical achievements span several decades...... Sir Elton John, may you live forever!!!!
Nice. Got to see EJ do this extended Rocket Man variation live at the Oakland Coliseum in 1986. Great times. From 4:30 to 8:30 into this performance I am completely captivated - as I was back then.
I saw Mr. Elton John a few years back at Gillette Stadium, it was a fantastic show so naturally I bootlegged the shit out of it. I still have the high def video from the floor of an epic 13 minute Rocket Man jam. I ruined the first five minutes though because I was singing along. I have the audio from it on a CD that I must have played 12 dozen times in my car in the past week
@ancientastronomer no i wasn't. But the original version where not filled with the guitar solo and synth fillings. I just think the song is so well composed that it could stand alone without the last minutes of solo chatter... are you saying that just because i wasn't born at that time does not meen im not entitled to an opionion?
Lordoffail Yes, my absolute favorite version is almost identical to this, but much cleaner. I happened to rip it from the radio like 13 years ago and want whatever album it's on, but I haven't got a clue where to find it. Doesn't seem to be on UA-cam.
Remember those are Bernie Taupin's words and imagination - and last I counted, he's had four wives. But if you knew nothing at all about Elton John, he's so committed to his music and performance that you'd sure as hell believe he missed his wife!
@jp221073 "Hello? Hello!", yelled the brain cell in jp221073's head. Again and again. Slowly but surely it had to see that it was alone. All alone. And it was about to die. "Well", it thought, "anything better than to live a lonely life between the ears of such a stupid and homphobic dork." Then it put on the earphones and listened to this brilliant live version of Rocket Man one more time.
thanks u must be a big fan. never would u hear the high notes from some BBC stuff from ' 70/' 71. it seemed deeper around the Burt B Aids song. I noticed then it had changed. I think Thom Bell told him to sing in a deeper voice either to his delight or for tech reasons during the Thom Bell sessions. First time i heard him use this voice or perhaps Philly Freedom he lowered it a bit. not so sure.
@MrTonka1992 I'm in high school too, but I'm blessed to be surrounded by a few people who are into good music like Elton :) But yeah, most of them just don't want to understand because they're like "Ewww! He's gay!" No one should care about that. Elton John is fucking awesome, just like you said.
im still in high school and there is still nothing more that pisses me off then when people rag on elton for being gay. its too hard to explain to teens who he is and what he did. they just dont care. but i am one teen that undersands and elton is fucking awsome!
@MrTonka1992 I swear to god! I hate it how kids worship Queen and hate on Elton cause he is gay mainly. I meanly he did more music than Queen ever did and Freddie Mercury was gay too but just cause he did rock music kids don't care. Some people just don't understand what music is about.
yea he sounds deeper every few yrs. the change more pronounced than most of his contemporaries/peers IE mercury/bowie/joel. all sound the same from youth to middle age to old age. well mercury died at 46 so its hard to gauge him. there is a deepening to most singers esp of the so called classic era. plant/daltrey/steve steve perry have lost a lot from shrieking and or usage. IMO john's is the most dramatic short of marrianne faithful or keef richards!
I'm 15..been listening to Elton since i was 13 and ever since he has been one of my FAVORITE artists!
I heard this song for the first time at camp when I was just about to start junior high. He dominated the US charts in the US. He does creative collaboration with other artists. His musical achievements span several decades......
Sir Elton John, may you live forever!!!!
My Favorite LIVE Performance by Elton John - EVER!!!!!! What a Rocket Man! Thanx for posting!
what a briliant band Rest in Peace Dee
Insanely great... Agreed, can't imagine a better version exists , this is it.
My go to version of this song. I think the electric/slide guitar adds a lot to it.
What id give to go back in time to this concert......
This performance is bloody amazing!
This version with the lead guitar is brilliant
this song sets the mood from happy to sad, automatically. elton's piano and vocals are enchanting. Toast to the great Sir Elton John...
i was there what a day
brill
Davey Johnston is the best unkown lead guitarist in the world.
+Howard Barnett He sure is one of them,... Another one is the guy for Bozz Skaggs in the 70's.
Wow - Elton even honors his band with aplomb -
www.eltonjohn.com/the-band
Him and Mick Taylor
Nice. Got to see EJ do this extended Rocket Man variation live at the Oakland Coliseum in 1986. Great times. From 4:30 to 8:30 into this performance I am completely captivated - as I was back then.
You ever hear of a lost video or bootleg of that performance?
I want that hat! Man he is inspiring.
A very good version of "Rocket Man" in his prime of life....
A complete genius.
Long live Sir Elton, rocket man!!!
Best version I have seen so far, wonderful!
Elton john = Musical Genius!
I saw Mr. Elton John a few years back at Gillette Stadium, it was a fantastic show so naturally I bootlegged the shit out of it. I still have the high def video from the floor of an epic 13 minute Rocket Man jam. I ruined the first five minutes though because I was singing along. I have the audio from it on a CD that I must have played 12 dozen times in my car in the past week
This stadium will always remind me of Live Aid, I can't help it...
Monsters!.
Amazing.
Yes! That's exactly how he does it! Nice!
What a fantabulastic song!!!!!!! xD
happy birthday
No one in the world drums better than Nigel olsson in my opinion.
5:25 best expression ever! he knows he rocked, he knows how wounderful that arpeggio sounds!
3:39 not so bad either as probably sheer joy of performing
boy the voice deepened dramatically buy this point. he lost that gorgeous voice around this time.
@Eriksson82Malin THE best in my opinion I had both night & day concert on VHS.
Wow........
@ancientastronomer no i wasn't. But the original version where not filled with the guitar solo and synth fillings. I just think the song is so well composed that it could stand alone without the last minutes of solo chatter... are you saying that just because i wasn't born at that time does not meen im not entitled to an opionion?
lol I was thinking the same thing.
@MrTonka1992 same situation mate. i know exactly how you feel!
Wow! What's the link? Please.
back when he could hit the high notes....
En spanish we say: TE - MA - ZO!
bel video
yea in elton's case cocaine brought out the best in his music during that era but I'm glad he got clean
yea meant 'by this point'. sad but tru. the usual damage from excessive usage and or lifestyle choices.
No one can play drums as goof as nigel olson. And elton master of the piano
There is a more recent version of this "extended version", but I can't seem to find it on here. Any help?
Lordoffail
Yes, my absolute favorite version is almost identical to this, but much cleaner. I happened to rip it from the radio like 13 years ago and want whatever album it's on, but I haven't got a clue where to find it. Doesn't seem to be on UA-cam.
Oh damn! Have you had any luck tracking it down?
Did he stop using falsetto after 84'?
@Chris 1990 Yes he did well into the 90s on some songs. Not sure about on Rocket Man itself.
Elton misses his wife? haha No disrespect meant best solo artist of the 1900s by far.
Remember those are Bernie Taupin's words and imagination - and last I counted, he's had four wives. But if you knew nothing at all about Elton John, he's so committed to his music and performance that you'd sure as hell believe he missed his wife!
Christ he's not that old is he? Although I did hear he was one of the old king's faves on the wind up gramophone
@jp221073 "Hello? Hello!", yelled the brain cell in jp221073's head. Again and again. Slowly but surely it had to see that it was alone. All alone. And it was about to die. "Well", it thought, "anything better than to live a lonely life between the ears of such a stupid and homphobic dork." Then it put on the earphones and listened to this brilliant live version of Rocket Man one more time.
Blonde Brian May playing guitar.
thanks u must be a big fan. never would u hear the high notes from some BBC stuff from ' 70/' 71. it seemed deeper around the Burt B Aids song. I noticed then it had changed. I think Thom Bell told him to sing in a deeper voice either to his delight or for tech reasons during the Thom Bell sessions. First time i heard him use this voice or perhaps Philly Freedom he lowered it a bit. not so sure.
@MrTonka1992 I'm in high school too, but I'm blessed to be surrounded by a few people who are into good music like Elton :) But yeah, most of them just don't want to understand because they're like "Ewww! He's gay!" No one should care about that. Elton John is fucking awesome, just like you said.
im still in high school and there is still nothing more that pisses me off then when people rag on elton for being gay. its too hard to explain to teens who he is and what he did. they just dont care. but i am one teen that undersands and elton is fucking awsome!
@MrTonka1992 I swear to god! I hate it how kids worship Queen and hate on Elton cause he is gay mainly. I meanly he did more music than Queen ever did and Freddie Mercury was gay too but just cause he did rock music kids don't care. Some people just don't understand what music is about.
yea he sounds deeper every few yrs. the change more pronounced than most of his contemporaries/peers IE mercury/bowie/joel. all sound the same from youth to middle age to old age. well mercury died at 46 so its hard to gauge him. there is a deepening to most singers esp of the so called classic era. plant/daltrey/steve steve perry have lost a lot from shrieking and or usage. IMO john's is the most dramatic short of marrianne faithful or keef richards!
the first 4 mins are awesome.. bit that 80's guitar solo and all the synth. does not do it for me.
Man all that coke really ruined his voice.
And yet... is there a better version of this song anywhere on earth?
(if so, would love to be pointed to it. )