Elton John - Bennie And The Jets (Central Park, NYC 1980)

The 1980 World Tour travelled the globe but no show was perhaps quite as memorable as the September 13th date in the heart of New York City. The 400,000 crowd in Central Park were treated to a two-plus hour show of thrilling performances, like this ‘Bennie and The Jets’ one. Watch and wait for Elton’s absolutely incredible piano solo midway through the track.
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Elton John - Bennie And The Jets (Central Park, NYC 1980)
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[@diigdugg]

Jesus, that entire solo is genius. The journey Elton was able to go in that solo and somehow work his way back to the song is a true testament to his talent.

[@clairduffy60]

He was very unpopular 1980. What a come back!!!

[@garrynorris7719]

So true the way he came back to the song is fantastic

[@ladoraharrison9182]

He is a genius always have been. Love him.

[@marythomson9610]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!♡♡♡

[@reggie2737]

@@clairduffy60 I remained a fan through it all! He has always just been so dang talented and i have always had a crush on him. I am only sorry that my marriage and babies kept me from seeing more of him!

[@braydinsisco7856]

That was one hell of a piano solo

[@RichelleBremner]

Braydin Sisco sure was!

[@sickeningpsychedelia]

My soul left my body for like 3 minutes Or however long it was

[@seattleday9690]

I can do it. I play Guitar,Piano,Bass and Drums.

[@user-ns6lc2qc5e]

@@seattleday9690 Pls do it.

[@MickEJ73]

@@seattleday9690 HAHAHA

[@Zombie81212]

that piano solo was incredible wtf??? first time hearing this

[@theclassiclistener5937]

Same

[@PleasureLarkHolbrook]

The Wembley Bennie and the Jets was better

[@leekost8545]

Incredible. Never saw this till now. That's why human kind will live on. Ingenuity

[@kameccashabolton7327]

HOLY SMOKES!!! That was outta sight!

[@zashalalut4654]

For real. Me too. It’s nuts. 😳

[@TheKbeast63]

People forget, or don't even know, what an amazing pianist Elton is.

[@DiegoGonzalez-ic3si]

I am sorry, but this is simply not true, everyone knows what an amazing pianist he is, the picture everyone ha of him is in a Piano rocking out something amazing

[@yeetusfeetus669]

What? Nah everybody knows, that's kinda like... what he's known for

[@Heidi534]

@@yeetusfeetus669 actually not true. He is known for playing the piano but not everyone recognizes how talented he is. My husband decided to broaden his horizons and to learn piano during lockdown (he's played guitar for 30 years and plays a lot of metal just as background). He decided he'd learn some Elton songs for me, thinking the style of music he plays it would be easy. He was actually quite impressed with the skill and nuance with which the pieces were composed.

[@diaryofarealmom3264]

He got famous cuz he plays piano so great… so that doesn’t even make sense.

[@PostUp_Time]

WHO?

[@brodoswagins9151]

Only Elton John can wear a piano while playing a piano!

[@brodoswagins9151]

@Benjamin Burkhardt haha agree. He really is national treasure...one of a kind...

[@xxxghost1320]

Benjamin Burkhardt it was Freddie Mercury

[@Joe-bo2fv]

@@xxxghost1320 Freddie was from Mumbai in zanzibar

[@cowboy_danny7136]

Eltons the King Freddies the Queen

[@jonasthemovie]

Well, Hasselhoff can wear a piano while playing a wall.

[@JohmathanBSwift]

*_Damn, that boy sure can play_*

[@wongmartin1358]

Goo Johnny go go go

[@JohmathanBSwift]

@@wongmartin1358 _be good_ 😀

[@dannyl-p1543]

Was Elton always like this or was he on drugs?

[@awrencallinthewoods474]

@@dannyl-p1543 he took drugs incredibly frequently tho

[@rygdoomed442]

Hes a pinball wizzard

[@maxinesears6873]

That facial expression when he finished killing that solo...PRICELESS

[@v.dargain1678]

Elton always loved to show off his keyboard skills .

[@Heladio54]

The stank will do that. Real ones know.

[@HugeStupidMoron]

@@Heladio54 huh

[@garywalters3007]

that look was orgasmic....i am sure he practiced...but if he winged THAT solo, i will need his dealer's ph #

[@balezes]

@@HugeStupidMoron stank face. Best possible compliment for a musician

[@williammassey8514]

Free concerts in central park. I remember smoking a doobie and passing it on, the guy next to me said, no I'm cool. He was a cop. My friends just laughed and we enjoyed the show. Great times........

[@theoelliott6032]

william massey I was gonna say - the crowd look stoned

[@stroiane]

Those were the days. This show and Starship in 76 were prob my fave. Yep, just about everyone was stoned. Nobody cared. We were all having fun. I think that was the point.

[@subhabratadatta]

I may sound like an idiot but did Elton really just give free concerts in Central Park. Just asking

[@GotFade]

old

[@JF-NYC-NJ-Girl]

@@subhabratadatta yes he did!! My dad took me and my best friend to this concert

[@Gallillio]

Elton John looks like he would be the best uncle ever

[@luisdiaz9102]

Bueno.....

[@luiscalderon7383]

He is

[@Felixm1234]

Fat uncle

[@NeroWarriorX]

Says no one ever

[@daniellee100]

@@NeroWarriorX Yeah who wants a badass piano playing millionaire as an uncle anyway

[@gustavo35189]

I can't wait to see ROCKETMAN. Respect for Mr. Elton John.

[@santiagoferrari1973]

Sir Elton John.

[@gustavo35189]

@@santiagoferrari1973 Oh yeah, i forgot. My bad hehe

[@ineverswag]

Hope it isn't as bad as bohemian rhapsody

[@jenrod1693]

PyroBot Tv Rami Malek was good. Movie was like typical biography not very good

[@Felixm1234]

@@ineverswag the Queen Biopic was great

[@IrishGang0924]

He makes playing with one hand look so damn easy. Dude is the king of piano.

[@jevoulaispasdecompte]

Actually one hand piano is 50% easier than two end hands piano. Trust me it's science

[@joshg2426]

This might be the dumbest comment I've seen in a long time

[@alexm8859]

Josh G lmao

[@keisreeman]

Imagine how hard playing no-handed would be.

[@samglover4923]

Is that serious lmao, it’s literally easier to play one handed

[@socalraps7850]

Fun fact: Elton still lived at home with his mother and stepfather when he had 4 albums in the American Top 40 at the same time

[@FittedSheetGaming]

Knowing Elton he probably came up with that piano part as he was walking out on stage

[@LeonardoHernandez-eg5dv]

It was most likely improvised

[@kait.eq0]

Ikr🤣

[@Cheetah-lq2sy]

probs on the spot

[@janseanhernane3191]

Like... Do people just forget that the man was a musical prodigy?

[@FittedSheetGaming]

@@janseanhernane3191 not at all. He reminds us of it every day

[@aurelisilva7962]

Just saw him in concert 3 nights ago. I'm ready to die happily now.

[@nicklangevin3348]

Aureli Silva that was me after seeing Billy Joel live

[@lazycalm41]

Elton has always played down his ability on the keys but this performance shows what we have always known. He is a genius!

[@ycallace]

right! based of the movie portrayal of his life, it seemed like his family downplayed his talents and only address his skills when they stood to benefit from it

[@bigbromiki1]

@@ycallace embellished a lot for hollywood

[@dormantrabbits]

Elton John wearing camouflage

[@TheRealSpleech]

DormantRabbits camouflage wearing Elton John

[@onerva.]

underrated comment

[@KhayJayArt]

Dude actually played another song in the middle of Bennie and the Jets 🤣

[@theclassiclistener5937]

Yeah I know

[@tricialockett1901]

Yellow rick ros

[@amyreddick8802]

It was just a piano solo he did not switch songs in the middle of Bennie and the jets

[@azrael6280]

I think he just created that solo right there and then

[@callmeerrol]

Amy Reddick , true, but there were times he did play another song shortly after the middle of the song: "In the Mood": kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHzFoamfo8Zjndk

[@christopherblick9376]

New performing artists don’t have personalities like older ones. Elton John is a once in a multi-lifetime talent.

[@ontheblocknba]

100% agree

[@El_Sidaddy]

100% agree closest things we have are Bruno mars and Anderson.paak

[@kitcarson9047]

In that solo....there wasn't one mistake or ghost note....clean as I have ever heard... a true talent....

[@LacoSinfonia]

He goes out of time in several instances but for what seems to be an improv solo while he’s also AMPED it’s pretty much flawless

[@bigbromiki1]

Ghost notes arent mistakes

[@samuelgates5935]

I was amongst that mass of fans with my girlfriend. I was 19, now I'm 63.....great show. This concert was heard in Harlem... that's how loud it was from the 72nd park!

[@AnaMariaVillalbaLondono]

Hi, I'm thirteen years old and I would like to know what things were like at that time, I'm a big fan of Elto, I don’t speak Spanish but I’m studying and I understand most things

[@isabellejeakins5526]

Oh how I miss the 80’s

[@karalightfoot6745]

*PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO BECOME FANS AFTER A MOVIE, SOME PEOPLE GOTTA FIND THEM SOME HOW* !!! Just a little ted talk for y'all.

[@annaliese430]

👏👏👏

[@mookie714]

Preach! Gatekeepers are so lame.

[@diegoandrade467]

cactus mom lol true, some people don’t get that, thanks for being our voice

[@josephb.6158]

Ever turn on a radio?

[@diegoandrade467]

Planetical yeah

[@ShakespeareCafe]

He's got great eyes, so glad he's without his sunglasses in this one

[@manderly109]

The best parts of this video are the expressions he makes 😂❤️

[@alanyates3132]

The best part is from 0.00 to 5.49

[@thesaucylorax]

Same with one of his videos of Yellow Brick Road live

[@RB60802]

the girl playing air piano..😂

[@victoriapd8001]

das me

[@flashlight365]

Her timing too 😂😂, at least she's having fun

[@naeru5810]

When cell phones were not in existence.

[@Kariyuki04]

Me 😂😂😂

[@zackwoodd4606]

@@naeru5810 No but they are now so people can record things like this to always have them, something these people would do if they could

[@thezestyman9159]

That chord progression at the end of the solo back into the song was amazing

[@howtodoitdude1662]

That solo has only 2 chords😂

[@alessandrozamora3211]

For reaaaal, those chords felt like Coltrane changes

[@guillermoperonaguerrero9080]

is it just me or the drummer is the coolest person in the world?

[@Rourkie09]

Guillermo Perona Guerrero idk that guy playing piano seemed pretty cool

[@alessandriaj7265]

He is the coolest person, sweetest person and all around nice guy, never has changed through the years. Shows respect to women 150%.

[@berrychy2990]

Nigel Olsson. Ofc he is!

[@jamesbuchmiller2697]

RourkieGames yeah that piano guy was pretty cool

[@alexnajera3483]

Those aren't drums. It's a piano

[@dhos7537]

4:37 that facial expression solo is legendary

[@XavierTansley]

Best part of the performance

[@mariannasarno5458]

When people watch a concert without a screen on the face. Looks emotional see people dancing and playing invisible pianos with Elton.

[@limecm]

It's not like ppl are looking down at their phone during a concert though right?

[@arvyblackops8710]

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen Yesterday - The Beatles Rocketman - Elton John Wow!

[@anthonyrosenthal3674]

Arvy BlackOps Stardust - Bowie

[@calebhaspowers]

Yesterdays not a biopic unfortunately :/

[@wondertime4968]

No offense, but I think this Beatles movie's gonna be really, really good compared to a lot of other biopics.

[@wondertime4968]

@@calebhaspowers Oh yes my bad! Either way I think it's gonna be fantastic.

[@wondertime4968]

@@SakibHasan-ks2fe I think they would've named it that but there's already a Let It Be Beatles movie they made back when they made the album.

[@BabyLambCreations]

He earned the right to wear that piano costume. This is one of, if not, the greatest piano solo I’ve ever heard in my entire life.

[@blillie06]

Imagine being as absolutely ripped as he is in this clip and still being able to play the piano like this. If I had that amount of drugs in my system, I’d be in a coma. He just becomes a god.

[@jackpowrie3]

80’s purity.

[@bjbinmke]

His facial expressions, especially when he is looking at the audience, make me smile.

[@josephinehope1953]

He so cute when he plays the piano solos.😊❤❤❤

[@sifuk4649]

Best piano player that ever lived change my mind

[@nicklangevin3348]

billy joel is up there

[@Anderyeh]

Billy Joel and Elton John are just the same

[@dirksenargon2402]

Oscar Peterson?

[@codythedoggo7671]

Do classical ones count

[@jasonchambers8010]

Mozart. I win.

[@toonheaded1]

Wow that solo and he absolutely KILLED IT he's amazing on that piano and u can tell he is enjoying himself

[@amandanegrete1306]

Sir Elton is such a baddie!

[@TheMrpoet]

Great talent like Elton's come every ten thousand years, its a blessing to be on the same planet with him.

[@isthismagic1159]

Bu bu bu, bennie and jetsssssssss!

[@benjaminsmith9849]

loving the profile picture mr. starman

[@jeremiahriojas7313]

Here before the rocketman movie brings all the new fans

[@electricmohair]

me too!! i'm so excited for the new fans :D can't wait for more younger people to start appreciating elton's work!!

[@bella11110]

Me too!!!

[@lukasklarer7861]

here‘s a new fan! started listening to his songs because of the trailer😂

[@MarshmellowJello]

It's too late. Many have came and saw lol

[@insaneoyster9053]

True

[@rowni]

I love how he's enjoying himself so much 😊🤩

[@johnp.noblejr.7214]

This song was his first #1 in the US in part because of black radio. To the point he played Soul Train. What a piano player!

[@OldSchoolBoxing1]

💪🏻

[@subwaygoddess1]

I was there, slept over in Central Park the night before and woke up with a few hundred thousand people behind me! AWESOME Concert!

[@BoucherRaphael]

This has to be the best piano performance I've ever seen/heard. Brilliant.

[@funnypantshd150]

the best elton john sing

[@keensterd3654]

I've always been obsessed with this song. Love it so much. Elton is such a great talent

[@jaredschroeder]

Ever since hearing it when he was on the Muppets...

[@JeSuisChaises]

@@jaredschroeder yeha

[@thedude7811]

It was a sad day for Elton. The openers (the muppets) stole the whole show.

[@sdmalpas]

Rubbing his nose at the start lol,he was absolutely steaming..

[@KarlPlesz]

What a showman. I'm watching this and it occurs to me, he's playing standing up. Well, hunched over really. That must be hard on the back. Talk about a workout.

[@stevecocchi5706]

He really played two songs at the same time dam🤩

[@user-ns6lc2qc5e]

Which second?

[@samglover4923]

@@user-ns6lc2qc5e I think rock me while he’s gone, a less popular one but still good nonetheless

[@mitchliam974]

That piano solo was pure stroke of genius! What a legend 🤩

[@obsessivehamiltrash1715]

i really wish i could see him live, but i probably don't have enough money.

[@noyesv1]

One of the highlights of my life!

[@HaleyAnneBechler]

Same. Tickets are outrageous nowadays. 😥

[@alicevelum]

He has Vegas show they normally have ticket sales

[@PorcelainSubmarine]

It’s his final tour. Get em while they last in USA !

[@phantomdust9162]

I’m seeing him in October

[@hadeed-_-5678]

Dang this live version is amazing! That piano solo though! The crowd singing along at the end! Elton John is a legend.

[@vampireratt]

I was there. .....Elton had to be removed in a NYPD car because he got stuck in the Donald Duck suit at the end of concert

[@elsadunand208]

vampireratt omg poor man he must have been so hot in that costume 😅 this is priceless thought X)

[@shinji5217]

This just got 10x funnier 😂

[@Midlife_Crisis94]

QUAAACK

[@stroiane]

Ha, I don't remember that. I'm glad I remember any of it . . . freakin' great show! I remember that.

[@hazbinsilly]

vampireratt oh no!

[@WorldsWorstBoy]

Thank God we still have Elton...

[@mikeypl7]

Lol the woman at 1:20 playing air piano LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[@iconocolor643]

Pretty sure we're a bunch to always doing air piano while listening to Sir Elton John LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO

[@chloe-gy2hb]

mikeypl7 don’t we all when listening to elton 😂

[@mmmspicy9472]

Oh come on mannnn

[@conzjony2575]

I'm 32 never been fan of elton john until I understood real music and he's a beautiful singer amazing glad I'm able to enjoy him before time catches up to me.

[@edexcrackyt2801]

Elton is the BEST piano man of the years of years, congratulations and thanks.

[@timford3599]

Pure, Unadulterated, Power! Elton John IS the Consummate Showman. The range of his voice, the totally candid facial expressions and, of course, beating that Grand Piano like it would never be played again. My absolute favorite Elton song done in the manner and style that I always imagined it would be. BRAVO!!!

[@whoever79]

The first time my friends and I heard this we were paralyzed.

[@lavendertrees9515]

That transition from the solo back into the song was AMAZING 😍😍😍

[@alexnajera3483]

By far probably the best version of this song!

[@ooiiooiiooii]

I love how he clearly wants the piano louder and he just starts vamping obnoxiously tell the sound crew finally notices.

[@JOJOjojo-fo6sb]

So happy to see that Sir Elton John is finally getting a movie made about his life. Can't wait to see it!

[@Evan15]

4:55 Elton: Bennie! Elton: *screaming* BEN-EHY!!!

[@bradleyfryman2096]

Man, I want to see Rocketman so bad. His energy is just so amazing.

[@danhill6298]

I grew up in the 70s and there were many great musicians. Elton John was always a favorite. The guy is a musical genius. I love Benny and the Jets. Saw him in concert later in life and of course he did not disappoint. The days of real musicians who were truly great are unfortunately for the most part in the past. This was the era of talent the was really a musical gift. Today unfortunately corporate America turns out music that’s just that. Musical with no heart or soul in it!

[@rowni]

What a piano prodigy 👏 probably my favorite solos from his shows

[@kateyholm3196]

Really want this whole concert released in HD! 💕🤞🏼

[@MrWierchawsky]

Elton John a keyboard wizard.

[@turtleman6281]

This is the first time I really Listening to Elton John's music all i have to say is WoW Amazing

[@stevevaldez9927]

Billy Joel is great and all, but as far as I’m concerned Elton John is the real piano man.

[@carlyf3]

Wow - we don’t deserve him. That is some insane talent!!

[@kevinleeburns]

Many years ago I waited 4 hours in the cold rain at Tower Records in Hollywood to meet this genius! He stayed hours later than he was scheduled to meet every single person that had lined up in the rain. Amazing memories!

[@MrJmazing1]

To be able to conceive such elaborate melodies, chords & riffs is already amazing! But also to be able to perform them so seamlessly is breath-taking!!! Today I learned of Elton John's superior instrumentation 👏🏾

[@frutiguro]

I love this man so much. He and Bernie Taupin have certainly kept me going through some rough times and I'm incredibly grateful.

[@henrysepeda7853]

That smooth transition from the solo back to the regular song was so good.

[@northerncountryrailroad8939]

This is my favourite Live performance of Bennie and the jets!

[@Thevidgame]

I saw him in concert in December, I can die in peace now. ✌🏻

[@jamescorcoran2273]

I was so upset I missed this concert but I was stationed in Okinawa at the time but my friends went to it. Elton always always always gave a great show

[@Anthony-lr4bk]

absolutely incredible. Gifted pianist.

[@lawrenceniles2212]

Happy to say I was there as a 21 year old at the time. Earlier in the day Elton was on our progressive rock station WNEW FM with Scott Munie (RIP) playing tunes he liked. Scott gave him the moniker EJ the DJ.

[@sheinFL]

There will never be another Elton John. So talented and so enertaining 😍

[@LuckyGhoul619]

Elton is soooo amazing, I love how close him and Taron are, did anyone else enjoy them together in The sequel to The Kingsman?

[@Coe1303]

He was out rocking that earring in his right ear. Best song in the world!

[@mike856ms]

Elton is in a handful of singers who sound awesome live.

[@cgeorge6786]

Being fed from the energy of 400,000 fans.

[@robinhite4889]

Now this is real music!! What a beautiful man with a God given talent.

[@daveb9816]

I was 13 when this was filmed. I'm now 51. Still watching and awestruck. Gotta ❤ Elton. What a talent.

[@slash1987rhm]

Pure genius at work. Playing that piano and the crowd like its 2nd nature to him. :-)

[@jeffryhammel3035]

Elton, Mick, Paul.... I treasure every day that they still walk this planet.

[@weirdo-gj5xz]

this was elton's prime!!! goodbye yellow brick road at this show was PERFECT

[@AntonioTorres584]

Really amazing Sir Elton John!

[@mikebunner3498]

This man has written so many great songs... For this concert to be outdoors the sound is really good. EPIC. What a good solo? The man can tickle those ivories.

[@JB-gp4yb]

PURE GENIUS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😘😘😘😘😘😘🎶🎶🎶🎶🎹🎹🎹🎹👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@bassslapper4207]

This should be named "ELTON'S PIANO SOLO, JEEEETS"

[@williamcoogan1620]

I was there!!! AWESOME SHOW!!!!

[@scottrouse316]

It’s just pure joy. I wished I could have seen that live. A craftsman at the absolute top of his game. Glorious

[@JB-gp4yb]

OMG...great performance there! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@vdvlogs8277]

I time traveled just to see Elton’s Performance

[@franciscodiniz4092]

This man was, is and will be always a legend in the world of music !

[@Acord718]

4:30 My favorite part That shift is awesome

[@jennewing2751]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!! This man is the definition of TALENT 💕💕💕💕💕