After some time reviewing shows, attending to other channels, and debating on what to upload next, I have decided to upload a new show on this channel: Detroit 1982! Although I enjoy the Jump Up Tour's concerts, this particular show is extremely special to me--my Dad attended this show! He sat about 15 rows back, and was on the left-hand side of the Pine Knob pavilion (this is Elton's stage right)!

My Dad still remembers this concert pretty well: He says that Elton was "playing like a madman onstage," and recalls him throwing his piano bench during "Bennie And The Jets." He also notes that Elton "dressed very wild," and the crowd was extremely enthusiastic! Well, this audio can sure back up that! The quality isn't the best (it's listenable), but the atmosphere is awesome! This recording is mostly complete (the tape runs out right after "Crocodile Rock"), and judging by the tape, he didn't play "Elton's Song" (it doesn't sound "cut").

As for the show itself, this is a highly energetic show with some fast tempos (as is the norm for a good majority of the tour) on a number of songs! The vocal harmonies are also excellent throughout this show! The band sound very tight overall (though with a few goofs here and there), and Elton is in great voice (though he does sound slightly rough in spots--and actually does conservative phrasing in a few places)! Let’s go through the songs!

"Love Lies Bleeding" is an energetic version with Elton sounding strong, "All The Girls Love Alice" has Elton sounding rough in spots, and actually dodges one of the Bb4s towards the end of the song, "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" is a strong version (although Davey hits a bad note during the solo), "Better Off Dead" has Elton completely flubbing the first line (the only time he did that during this tour--and it just HAD to be at the show my Dad attended--thank you Elton) but the vocal harmonies make up for that, "Ball And Chain" is fast and well-executed, "Empty Garden" is a nice version overall--but there's better versions from earlier in the tour, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is excellent, "The Bitch Is Back" sounds good--but Elton dodges some of the B4s that he tended to hit towards the end of the song, "Pinball Wizard" is excellent, "Ticking" is great, and "Chloe" is a great version that ranks as one of the best versions from the North American leg of this tour (he does studio phrasing in spots, and doesn't cut off the ends of some lines).

"Where To Now St. Peter" is excellent as always, "Blue Eyes" is the standard 1982 version, "Where Have All The Good Times Gone" is energetic, "Rocket Man" is a bit too fast and has a few instrumental flubs (although the vocals are great), "Bennie And The Jets" is fast, fun, and obnoxious, "Teacher I Need You" is very strong, "Dear John" is a strong version, "Your Song" sounds nice, "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" has great crowd participation, and is a great version overall, "Daniel" sounds good, and "Crocodile Rock" is really fast (and actually speeds up as the song is played)!

Note 1: Before "Ball And Chain," Elton mentions Geffen Records as a "faggot label."

Note 2: My Dad is heard a few times on this recording (he has confirmed that the noted voice is his). You can hear him chat to people between songs (like after "Better Off Dead" and before "Ball And Chain." He also speaks after "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road!"

Note 3: I was negative 8 when I attended this show. I remember Elton John throwing his piano bench, making up lyrics during "Better Off Dead," playing songs really fast, calling Geffen Records a "faggot label," and playing a mean piano (plus singing well)!

- Greg, GregsynthWizard