He had just quit heroin and hadn't been on the road or in the studio for a while.
With no major label backing he hired a band, a smaller than the huge 30+ member big bands he used in the 70s and 80s.
It was 9 folks including himself, and he went on the road in search of an audience and a new contract. First stop was in Phlly at the Tower.
My brother was at the show but he was just there to kill time and see a washed up star he never really liked that much. He tells me that the theater wasn't sold out but there was a decent crowed.
Any way Elton comes out - opens the show with Philadelphia Freedom and just flat out killed it for over two hours. When he came out for a third encore, he came out alone and told the audience "We don't have any more songs. We haven't rehearsed anymore" He then sat down at the piano and played a Slow Blues version of Philadelphia Freedom solo.
My kid brother used to steal my records all he time but he never really cared for Elton. I guess the 7 years age difference between us kind of put him on the wrong side of the hype and he never "got" Elton John.
But he is a huge fan now and sees him whenever he comes to town.
His "always go" list? U2, Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, Tragically Hip, and Elton John.
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