Enjoy these photo memories from Elton John's concert at Leeds Grand Theatre in April 1976. PIC: Steve RidingEnjoy these photo memories from Elton John's concert at Leeds Grand Theatre in April 1976. PIC: Steve Riding
Enjoy these photo memories from Elton John's concert at Leeds Grand Theatre in April 1976. PIC: Steve Riding

Elton John: When a Rocket Man touched down in Leeds

"Salute Captain Fantastic!" read the headline of the Yorkshire Evening Post review.
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 2nd Dec 2021, 04:45 BST
Updated 3rd Dec 2021, 09:46 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

"He came, he sang and boy, did he conquer" observed journalist Steve Kendall who was at Leeds Grand Theatre to watch Elton John perform in April 1976. This gallery using rarely seen images from the YEP archive uses snippets of his review to tell the story of the performance. Were you among the crowd that night? READ MORE:The night Freddie Mercury and Queen rocked LeedsLOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA?Join Leeds Retro on facebook

"Elton John stood on top of his glittering piano and was hailed not just as a man of many faces but as THE rock king, THE master showman, THE pop ambassador and THE master clown," wrote Steve.

1. Elton John at Leeds Grand

"Elton John stood on top of his glittering piano and was hailed not just as a man of many faces but as THE rock king, THE master showman, THE pop ambassador and THE master clown," wrote Steve. Photo: Steve Riding

Photo Sales
"The flamboyant little man from Pinner... looked delighted by the overwhelming reception at Leeds Grand."

2. Elton John at Leeds Grand

"The flamboyant little man from Pinner... looked delighted by the overwhelming reception at Leeds Grand." Photo: Steve Riding

Photo Sales
"Fans stood, cheered and sang long, and loud, danced in the aisles and unanimously acclaimed his masterful blend of musicianship and eccentricity."

3. Elton John at Leeds Grand

"Fans stood, cheered and sang long, and loud, danced in the aisles and unanimously acclaimed his masterful blend of musicianship and eccentricity." Photo: Steve Riding

Photo Sales
"It was the stunning fervent climax to a remarkable unbroken two and a quarter hours in which the allegedly shy extrovert had started his mammoth 29 date UK tour as if there was no tomorrow."

4. Elton John at Leeds Grand

"It was the stunning fervent climax to a remarkable unbroken two and a quarter hours in which the allegedly shy extrovert had started his mammoth 29 date UK tour as if there was no tomorrow." Photo: Steve Riding

Photo Sales
"He came on like a happy schoolboy, exuberantly threw his piano stool off stage and set off at a blazing pace and a sound that more than lived up to his billing as "louder than Concorde."

5. Elton John at Leeds Grand

"He came on like a happy schoolboy, exuberantly threw his piano stool off stage and set off at a blazing pace and a sound that more than lived up to his billing as "louder than Concorde." Photo: Steve Riding

Photo Sales
"He blazed untiringly through a string of rousing rockers reaching a peak on 'Bennie and the Jets' and a spanking version of Lucy in the Sky' and attacked the piano with honky tonk relish."

6. Elton John at Leeds Grand

"He blazed untiringly through a string of rousing rockers reaching a peak on 'Bennie and the Jets' and a spanking version of Lucy in the Sky' and attacked the piano with honky tonk relish." Photo: Steve Riding

Photo Sales
Previous
1 / 2
Next Page
Related topics:LeedsYorkshire Evening PostQueen

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.