Elton Johnthe 1974 album, Caribou, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and a special sky blue vinyl edition of the album, including a second disc of bonus tracks, will be available on Record Store Day on April 20. But fans can watch never-before-seen footage of Elton’s first live performance. from one of the album’s big hits, “The Bitch Is Back”, right now.
In 1974, Elton became manager of his favorite football team, Watford FC. In order to give the team a financial boost, he organized a benefit concert at the team’s home ground, Vicarage Road, marking the first time a concert had been held there. Tickets cost a pound – the equivalent of about $15 today – and Elton took the stage wearing a yellow and black outfit inspired by the team’s nickname, the Hornets.
During that show, which attracted 40,000 fans, Elton sang “The Bitch Is Back” – a full two months before its parent album, Caribou, was released in June; the single was not released for three months. When that happened, he reached the top five in the rankings. Billboard Hot 100. The album’s lead single, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me”, had reached number two.
Fun fact: “The Bitch Is Back” gets its title from something Bernie TaupinIt is then his wife, Maxinesaid whenever Elton was in a bad mood or throwing a tantrum.
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