While many people thought that Melbourne 1986 was Elton’s worst vocal performance ever recorded and that 75 % of the show contained the worst versions of the songs, we now have to consider what show is the worst. This show from Madison Square Garden 14th of September 1986 is a great competitor to Melbourne 1986. Actually, I can safely say that this show is the ABSOLUTE WORST show ever recorded and it beats Melbourne! Elton had had some amazing performances on the 12th and 13th of September (and probably 11th, but we do not have a recording of that) showing that Elton still had his range. This show, however, does not show any signs of that. Elton is very rough and he airs notes as well as sounding sick and singing multiple notes. Even his speaking voice is horrible to listen to! The recording, though, is in good quality so that we can every time Elton’s voice cracks! So let’s get onto the show!
The first song, Tonight, shows right from the start that Elton has severe troubles with singing properly and he sounds more like a saw sawing through a piece of wood. However, he still manages to hit a few falsettos during the song, but I am really not a fan of this version! As well as every other show from Elton’s 1985/1986 world tour the music being played on stage is beyond fantastic. This is also present at this show. A favorite song of mine on this tour is One Horse Town because it is a special song with a lot of tempo shifts and it has some amazing energy. But can you imagine a version which is worse than Melbourne? It should be impossible, but here it is. In my opinion the worst version of One Horse Town and Elton even apologies for his voice being in a bad shape. Better Off Dead is bad, but not the worst version ever. His voice is actually a bit cleaner, but still rough! Rocket Man is also bad, but not too bad, Elton’s voice taken in consideration, but we do have some versions which are worse. Again, I must praise the music being played on stage. The horn section is amazing and they give the songs a whole new dimension. Philadelphia Freedom is just growls, screams, and crack making this version the worst ever. Burn Down The Mission has actually some nice moments which doesn’t sound too bad. Elton apologies for his voice for the second time!
Someone Saved My Life Tonight should have its own paragraph. It is the absolute worst version ever recorded and Elton even says before he starts playing the song “this is gonna be interesting” – might be a certain sign. Elton makes weird phrasings which don’t work and at spots he even stops singing as he is unable to hit the notes. Additionally, his voice cracks exactly 18 times during the song. This will make your ears bleed!
The Bitch Is Back is the worst version ever. The Medley is actually fine without any cracks at all. Levon is without doubt the worst version ever! Random phrasing, aired notes, voice cracks etc. We also have the worst versions of Paris, Restless (very bad!), Bennie And The Jets (odd and peculiar phrasings, but with a great piano improvisation!), Love Song, Sad Songs (Say So Much) (the intro is horrible with Elton’s voice giving totally out and he even apologies for his voice during the song!), This Town, I’m Still Standing (filled with angry birds and voice cracks/aired notes – the absolute worst version!). Elton apologies for his voice condition for the fourth time during the show before Nikita which is actually not the worst version, but it ranks very low!
Elton also leaves the stage (before Saturday Night's) so he can have a gargle backstage hoping it is going to help on his voice. Unfortunately this is not the case as we have one of the worst versions ever with Elton sounding more like a vulture. Elton thanks the audience for their generosity and he apologies for his voice for the fifth time and starts playing the worst versions of Candle In The Wind and Daniel. Elton ends the show with the worst version of Your Song and thanks the audience.
NOTE 1 – Thanks to several people for making these uploads possible!
NOTE 2 – During the band introduction Elton sings a very tiny bit of George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord
NOTE 3 – There are 139 instances where Elton’s voice cracks!
- Emil, EltonJohnGigs