What an awesome performance! Thanks for that link! His quirks aside, Elton John is a modern master. Imagine those hundreds of musicians playing in ensemble so perfectly, and him playing and singing precisely on point without printed music in front of a live audience. Just awesome.
I still remember the first time I heard Elton John, over the radio while touring the country in my VW in 1971. Had to stop the car and just listen when “Your Song” came on the radio. I’ve only ever done that for two other artists: Luciano Pavarotti and Adele.
When I saw the movie Rocky the week it came out, I was living in Philly, and I remember calling a friend and saying, “I just saw the most terrific film set in Philly! Don’t know if anyone who doesn’t live in Philly would understand it, though.” Wrong! I guess I can say the same about “Philadelphia Freedom.” It’s not just a mascot song for one city — it’s a fantastic song. (btw, Philly was great back in the day, before it got “woke”.)