Elton John at the Hollywood Bowl – September 25, 1973: Spectacle, Theatricality, and History

On the night of September 25, 1973, Elton John transformed the legendary Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles into a true musical and visual spectacle. At just 26 years old and on the brink of releasing the acclaimed album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton delivered an unforgettable performance, marked by eccentric costumes, explosive theatricality, and historic moments.

Opening with Linda Lovelace and a Surreal Parade

The show began in a cinematic and daring fashion, with adult film actress Linda Lovelace—an icon of 1970s counterculture—taking the stage to introduce the spectacle. She announced the entrance of eccentric characters such as Queen Elizabeth, Elvis Presley, Frankenstein, the Pope, the Beatles, Batman and Robin, Groucho Marx, and Mae West. These characters opened five pianos spelling out “ELTON,” from which white doves were released, soaring over the audience. A psychedelic musical opening if there ever was one.

The 5 Pianos and Visual Climax

Five pianos, each representing a letter of the name “ELTON,” made up the central stage setup. The stage lit up as each letter was revealed. Elton played his signature white grand piano and even “flew” over it with theatrical jumps that electrified the crowd.

During “Crocodile Rock,” one of the night’s most theatrical moments, a crew member appeared playing the organ dressed as a crocodile—long mistakenly attributed to sound engineer Clive Franks. We now know it wasn’t Franks but possibly another crew member, such as Ken Scott.

Watch the video below for more context and visual material related to this story:

The Setlist: Classics and Debuts

The concert also served as a showcase for new songs that would soon become classics from the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. The setlist included:

Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Bennie and the Jets
Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Crocodile Rock
Your Song
Rocket Man
Daniel
Tiny Dancer
Levon

Watch the video below for more context and visual material related to this story:






The Band and the Energy

Alongside Elton were Davey Johnstone (guitars), Dee Murray (bass), and Nigel Olsson (drums)—the classic lineup that formed one of the most powerful live bands of the era. Together, they delivered tight arrangements, harmonic vocals, and pure energy.

Excerpts from Reviews at the Time

1. Rolling Stone – Review by David Rensin

> “Elton John delivered a performance that combined quality music with an impressive visual production.”

Read the full review:
https://www.66batman.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8540
(Don’t be surprised that it's hosted on a Batman fan site, haha)

2. EltonJohn.com – Official Timeline

> “The show opened with an introduction by actress Linda Lovelace, followed by a theatrical entrance of characters like Queen Elizabeth, Elvis Presley, Frankenstein, the Pope, the Beatles, Batman and Robin, Groucho Marx, and Mae West. These characters opened the pianos decorated with the letters ‘E-L-T-O-N,’ releasing doves that flew over the stage.”

Check the official timeline:
https://www.eltonjohn.com/timelines/1970s

3. Setlist.fm – Concert Setlist

> “The setlist included hits like ‘Your Song,’ ‘Rocket Man,’ ‘Crocodile Rock,’ and the debut of tracks from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road like ‘Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding’ and ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting.’”
See the full setlist:

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/elton-john/1973/hollywood-bowl-los-angeles-ca-5bd5af0c.html

4. Elton John’s Official Facebook – #ThrowbackThursday Post

> “#ThrowbackThursday: Hollywood Bowl in 1973, performing music and wearing it! Learn about Elton’s iconic looks over the years.”
View the post:

https://www.facebook.com/EltonJohn/posts/throwbackthursday-hollywood-bowl-in-1973-performing-music-and-wearing-it-learn-a/1973585236003907/

5. Daniel Oliver Gallery – Iconic Photo of Elton John in Mid-Air

> “Elton John flying at the piano, Hollywood Bowl 1973.”
See the photo in the gallery:
https://danieloliver.gallery/privateviews/37c28a06b3916a04639155/3427-anonymous-elton-john-flying-at-the-piano-hollywood-bowl-1973/

Conclusion

Elton John's 1973 Hollywood Bowl concert was an epic fusion of music, visual spectacle, and cultural irreverence. With Linda Lovelace’s presence, theatrical costumes, character-driven staging, and the five iconic pianos, it defined Elton as the ultimate performance artist of the 1970s.

If I had to choose, I’d call this the best show of his entire career.

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