Nigel Olsson and the Energy of “Saturday Night” at Central Park (1980)
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Among the most memorable and surprising moments of Elton John’s historic Central Park concert, held on September 13, 1980, was the vibrant performance of “Saturday Night”, sung by Nigel Olsson, Elton’s longtime drummer and one of the original members of his classic band.
The concert, attended by nearly half a million people in the heart of New York City, became legendary not only for its spectacle but also for Elton’s generous gesture in giving his bandmate a few minutes at center stage. On that night, Nigel stepped away from his drums and took the microphone, revealing a warm, soulful voice filled with enthusiasm and charm.
The song “Saturday Night” came from Nigel’s solo album Changing Tides (1980), released around the same time as Elton’s tour. The track embodies Nigel’s signature melodic pop style, featuring bright arrangements and an uplifting chorus — perfectly suited to the joyful atmosphere of that evening.
The audience responded with great excitement, cheering the drummer who, for a few shining moments, became the star of the show. It was one of the very few times in Elton John’s career that a band member performed his own solo song during an official concert.
This moment went far beyond a simple interlude in the setlist — it symbolized the friendship, trust, and deep musical bond between Elton and Nigel. Having worked together since the early 1970s, Nigel’s performance reminded everyone that his contribution to Elton’s sound extended far beyond rhythm — he was part of its very soul.
Decades later, fans still recall “Saturday Night” as a moment of pure celebration at Central Park, when Nigel stepped into the spotlight and proved that on a Saturday night in New York, music could unite an entire crowd in joy.
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Nigel Olsson’s Rare Moment at Central Park: “All I Want Is You” (1980)
The legendary Elton John concert at Central Park, held on September 13, 1980, before an audience estimated at 400,000 to 450,000 people, remains one of the most iconic live performances of his career. Broadcast by HBO and remembered for Elton’s extravagant costumes — including the now-famous Donald Duck outfit — the show also featured a truly unique moment: Nigel Olsson stepping into the spotlight.
During the performance, Nigel — who had just reunited with Elton alongside bassist Dee Murray, restoring the classic trio — had the rare opportunity to perform two of his own solo songs in the middle of Elton’s set: “Saturday Night” and “All I Want Is You.” The latter, little-known and seldom documented, has become a fascinating piece of trivia for fans and collectors.
According to verified setlists and fan recordings, “All I Want Is You” followed immediately after “Saturday Night,” before Elton returned to the microphone for “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting).” The moment symbolized the close camaraderie between the musicians and reflected the joyful spirit of their reunion.
The song does not appear on any widely recognized Nigel Olsson studio album, such as Nigel (1975) or Changing Tides (1980). Sources suggest it was likely an unreleased solo piece, performed exclusively during the 1980 tour. Its authorship remains uncertain, though it is believed to have been written by Nigel himself.
Unfortunately, official video releases of the Central Park concert edited out the songs performed by Nigel, leaving those segments to survive only in unofficial recordings. Among fans, however, these performances are fondly remembered as a rare glimpse of Nigel’s soulful voice in front of one of Elton’s largest live audiences.
Though neither Elton John nor Nigel Olsson have given specific comments about this exact performance, both have spoken fondly about their reunion and the energy of the 1980 tour. For long-time fans, this short segment stands as a testament to the unity and musical freedom that defined Elton John’s band during its golden years.
The legendary Elton John concert at Central Park, held on September 13, 1980, before an audience estimated at 400,000 to 450,000 people, remains one of the most iconic live performances of his career. Broadcast by HBO and remembered for Elton’s extravagant costumes — including the now-famous Donald Duck outfit — the show also featured a truly unique moment: Nigel Olsson stepping into the spotlight.
During the performance, Nigel — who had just reunited with Elton alongside bassist Dee Murray, restoring the classic trio — had the rare opportunity to perform two of his own solo songs in the middle of Elton’s set: “Saturday Night” and “All I Want Is You.” The latter, little-known and seldom documented, has become a fascinating piece of trivia for fans and collectors.
According to verified setlists and fan recordings, “All I Want Is You” followed immediately after “Saturday Night,” before Elton returned to the microphone for “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting).” The moment symbolized the close camaraderie between the musicians and reflected the joyful spirit of their reunion.
The song does not appear on any widely recognized Nigel Olsson studio album, such as Nigel (1975) or Changing Tides (1980). Sources suggest it was likely an unreleased solo piece, performed exclusively during the 1980 tour. Its authorship remains uncertain, though it is believed to have been written by Nigel himself.
Unfortunately, official video releases of the Central Park concert edited out the songs performed by Nigel, leaving those segments to survive only in unofficial recordings. Among fans, however, these performances are fondly remembered as a rare glimpse of Nigel’s soulful voice in front of one of Elton’s largest live audiences.
Though neither Elton John nor Nigel Olsson have given specific comments about this exact performance, both have spoken fondly about their reunion and the energy of the 1980 tour. For long-time fans, this short segment stands as a testament to the unity and musical freedom that defined Elton John’s band during its golden years.
Complete Setlist – Central Park, New York, September 13, 1980
1. Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding
2. Tiny Dancer
3. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
4. All the Girls Love Alice
5. Rocket Man
6. Sartorial Eloquence
7. Philadelphia Freedom
8. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
9. Saturday Night (Nigel Olsson)
10. All I Want Is You (Nigel Olsson)
11. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
12. Harmony
13. White Lady White Powder
14. Little Jeannie
15. Bennie and the Jets
16. Imagine (John Lennon cover)
17. Ego
18. Have Mercy on the Criminal
19. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
20. Your Song
21. Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)
(Some reports mention an additional encore with “Good Golly Miss Molly.”)
#EltonJohn #NigelOlsson #CentralPark1980 #AllIWantIsYou #EltonJohnLive #ClassicConcerts #EltonJohnBand #RockHistory #LiveInNewYork #EltonJohnArchive
#EltonJohn #NigelOlsson #SaturdayNight #CentralPark1980 #ChangingTides #EltonJohnBand #RockHistory #ClassicConcerts #EltonJohnLive #NigelOlssonLive
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