Elton John & Ray Cooper - Funeral For A Friend / Tonight

Elton John performing "Funeral For A Friend / Tonight " with Ray Cooper on percussion. Live In Russia 2010, Moscow Crocus City Hall.
At the invitation of Elton John, this concert attended by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

[@susan350]

Absolutely stunning. Two of my favorite EJ songs combined. I love this man. Unearthly talent.

[@jacquismith3277]

Oh my! Ray Cooper is great and exciting to watch. ❤

[@DavidBridgend]

Great to hear the piano being played solely. I Love EJ

[@franknegro8169]

Amazing. It doesn't get much better!

[@tacia]

I saw Elton in 1992 and had no idea who Ray Cooper was but I was transfixed by his percussion. I wish I had video of Ray doing this song from 1992. This is great, but 1992 was magical.

[@jordsupp]

Ray, when he first came on the scene, is the man who made percussion sexy.

[@davidcohen6804]

Ray Cooper has played with Elton for years. Eric Clapton too. He's sick

[@jacquismith3277]

​@@davidcohen6804He sure is! What a talent !

[@carlosiswhoiis9971]

As a kid an Elton John show was aired on TV, I remember Ray. Ray has always stuck in my head whenever I hear an Elton John song. I don't remember how I knew Ray's name, but he just looked like this strange guy doing all kinds of things in the background in that concert. The man is very talented. I've seen Elton John at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit years ago. He was one of my favorites during the 70s. Those album never get old.

[@davidsouthcott1564]

Ray Cooper is a legend

[@leefaulk3195]

Yes!! The percussion magician!!!!

[@davidsouthcott1564]

@@leefaulk3195 sure is

[@Piolin333]

Never heard Funeral for a friend until a few years ago and never heard Elton's "Tonight" until a few months ago. Now these are 2 of my favorite songs, especially this version.

[@BugzKiller]

Great double LP "Blue Moves" where "Tonight" came from :)

[@RRSchwab]

Beyond belief. Elton's voice may have aged, but his piano playing: beyond belief. God-given talent and pure genius.

[@jamesb8305]

Elton's songs sound best when stripped down like this.

[@patriciarobinson3544]

amazing. touched. I love this guys' music.

[@richardyoung7415]

FUCK THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE,SIR ELTON TINKERING ON THE OLD IVORY AND RAY BEATING THE BIG OLD BASE DRUMS , THESE ARE MEMORIES THAT WILL LIVE WITH YOU FOREVER, LEGENDS THE TWO OF THEM TRUE LEGENDS, AND WHAT DO THEY SAY, HERO'S DIE LEGENDS LIVE FOREVER. PEACE AND LOVE TO YOU ALL MY FRIEND'S. ✌️😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Avengers88]

saw Elron and Ray Cooper in Berkely in 1979. One of the best shows i've ever experienced and I;ve seen several hundred concerts. I think I watched Copper as much as Elton!

[@rolivelaz7345]

Beautiful

[@anitafox7868]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@helenamacedo5816]

Awesome!!

[@danielkirk4740]

Elton is the greatest, His Voice and Piano is Outstanding, And Mr Cooper Is Like Watching A Three Ring Circus, But That Cat Can Play Those Percussions!

[@ellieb247]

No one can play the piano like Elton. So beautiful! It is sad that at one point I could hear people talking. I never can understand how someone could talk during a performance like this. I’m always in awe and speechless when I see him play! Ray is so awesome too!

[@josephsnearline2022]

I saw Elton play a solo show in Denver ten years ago. People were walking in and out heading to the restrooms and getting drinks. I never left my seat. I was too mesmerized to go anywhere. During the final half hour of the show, I was one of the lucky fans allowed to come up right in front of the stage just a few feet from him. It was an unforgettable night.

[@davidkeeley210]

It's because not everyone is a super fan. Just taking in a concert.

[@bruceski2133]

People who aren’t fans need to sit in back if they’re not sophisticated enough to appreciate fine art. Also they need to just shut their fat mouths.

[@pokerface1967]

totally agree / did you ever watch the footage of him in russia . check it out

[@lundberga]

It’s hard to find a good time to go to the bathroom or get refreshments since most of his songs are amazing.

[@20gravedigger11]

2 musical masterpieces blended into one medley. Unreal!

[@МанохинЕкатерина]

They are bothe great musicians! I saw them young and ther were only two in the concert. Elton John is an ideal singer, and with age his voic did not become worse. Really love them both.Elton John 💖 Ray Cooper 💖

[@tinogabriel5096]

... so did I !! It was gorgeous!!

[@ItwBokay33062]

I love his talent for making a piano sound so beautiful.

[@eileenryan4788]

Thank you for this post missed up rocket Mister Rockets I just hope Elton and Bernie win an Oscar for I'm going to love me again because if they don't I'm going to be be so depressed and I will be all over trolling and fashion Oscars so watch out Elton fans cause the b**** is going to be back if Elton and Bernie don't win that Oscar everybody is going to hear me believe you me but I think they're going to win I really do cuz that is such a beauty Beautiful Soul oh my God I love that song and of course I love my Elton and Bernie I'm still standing

[@rickrod2413]

Ray Cooper is a mater precisionist

[@OscarLodge]

Excellent piano work from Elton..... very close to the album.

[@AlexRodriguez-hi6oe]

I'ts magic;;;;

[@baire702]

Amazing!

[@ruzalihunowu5696]

November Rain GNR's Piano was inspirated by this song. Elton John is also Axl Rose's big Fan.

[@brutusbyforce4715]

Really? Didn't know that. And ironically both songs are about death🤔 And I love both and they're both great songs.

[@hootie191]

what a team, ray and elton

[@eliassandgren3132]

Ray fucks up at 9:41... just picks up another, brilliant

[@edsknife]

I never noticed, oh my god. Yeah, he and Elton both made some weird mistakes in this performance.

[@scottcampbell7535]

I've seen him twice. Once with a full band, another time with just Ray. Just the two of them blew the other show away......

[@tomedgar4375]

Agree, the Elton / Ray combination was the best concert I ever attended

[@ericshaver3792]

I agree,Ray cooper is excelent,adds to the show,much more exciting,that was my first time at the Greek theater

[@driversteve9345]

I much prefer the solo concert because it's just Elton and his piano! You can't get more intimate than that! Elton with the band, you can't hear Elton's piano as much and it's just your regular mundane studio album playing which for me, is kinda boring to pay good money to go see him! I want Elton and only Elton all the way! :)

[@robertkushner156]

@@ericshaver3792 OMG, me too - the benefit concert at the Greek in 1994!!!The best Elton concert I've been to!

[@tinogabriel5096]

@@tomedgar4375 I saw the two of them in Duesseldorf in the Eighties and ot was thrilling ...

[@tangogrrl]

"Tonight...do we have to fight again? I just want to go to sleep" You never heard this on the radio! Concert in Russia. The Yamaha has a bell-like beauty. Only 2 musicians. Ray Cooper- insane! percussionist- like Quasimoto hammering bells the way Van Halen plays guitar. discover talent that was snuffed & obscured by the mediocrity of the music industry yielding the shlock we are saddled with now."Why not approach with less defiance?" Taupin's desperate plea might just repair your love affair.

[@brutusbyforce4715]

This is amazing. Just piano and percussion on 2 great songs.

[@lynneforsyth8231]

Ray was amazing

[@scottthrower7637]

Fucking brilliant. Damn what talent!

[@СергейВолков-щ5ы3ж]

таких пианистов теперь нету, красиво и мощно звучит. браво сэр Элтон!!!

[@kaipoaloha62]

It was a wonderful tour, came to Hawai`i January 2010. I saw them twice in 3 days, it was a dream come true. Thank you for sharing this brought back treasured memories.

[@jandavey7372]

Another Awesome performance both by Elton John and Ray Cooper. ROCK'N'ROLL. JANBOY. RN. Rtd.

[@jandavey7372]

Ray Cooper is probably the finest percussionist in the World. Oooops sorry an opinion snuck out. JANBOY. RN. Rtd.

[@davidsmart1819]

Saw this in 1976,a single man in concert with ray cooper,awesome concert

[@sptinydancer]

Possibly the best live version video I've seen and heard!

[@german9095]

The best elton ever¡¡¡

[@rgerrity07]

OMG The Man Who Loved To See You Smile....Can hardly ever listen to it because be damned if it does not reopen all the wounds that came as my marriage unraveled. Such a beautiful sad song, in my opinion one of the best Elton ever did, but thats hard to say as he has written & sung so many. Well, every once in awhile when I can listen to it I experience a kind of cathartic type of healing.

[@85308arizonaboy]

You’re not alone....I think every single one of us has one of those songs...you just have to be in the right frame of mind to be able to enjoy it for the great piece of music it actually is...

[@paulcybotron347]

Arguably one of of his finest recordings ever, but credit Bernie for writing the song ;-)

[@mondychan]

awesomeeeeeeeeeeee

[@Piolin333]

I love watching Ray Cooper play. I also loved him on the Benny Hill show.

[@TheJackflash85]

The music of the Gods !

[@TheJackflash85]

Play on , Play on ~

[@campomarinese]

elton delays at 1.56....!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH,YOUR MOVIES ARE FANTASTIC!

[@Mr1963tomeumartorell]

Fantástica interpretación del maestro Sir Elton John y su percusionista preferido.

[@mga2899]

1:49 if you are putting a top 5 drummer list together.

[@Soulboy63]

Ray & Elton done a tour with just the 2 of them , is this it?

[@davidcohen6804]

God god how good is Ray Cooper?

[@lundberga]

He’s amazing.

[@MisterRocket86]

Зачотный концерт. Место попалось располагающее для записи... особенносидя на корточках в левом проходе перед сценой))). Выборочно записывал, не все.

[@psamsonov]

Навевает воспоминания о Сергее

[@SuperNinof]

Complimenti !

[@JaneCowan-e2p]

Elton John is a legend

[@СергейВолков-щ5ы3ж]

а тут на на концерте , и на протяжении двух с половиной часов и так красиво и душевно, не делай за деньги, а делай от души!

[@MisterRocket86]

спасибо за комменты, Сергей

[@СергейВолков-щ5ы3ж]

Я БЫЛ НА ЕГО КОНЦЕРТЕ В МИНСКЕ В 2011 И 2014, ОН ЗНАЕТ КАКОЙ ТО СЕКРЕТ В НАПИСАНИИ МУЗЫКИ И ПОПУЛЯРНОСТИ, НАВЕРНО ЭТО ВСЕ В ОДНОМ, НАВЕРНО СИЛЬНЫЙ ЧЕЛОВЕК И НАВЕРНО МУЗЫКАЛЬНЫЙ ХУДОЖНИК!!! ))

[@MBEABOGADOS]

To muy cousin and dear friend Jazmín Hernández who past away may 1 2020

[@leefaulk3195]

AGREED!!

[@andysmith8189]

Tonight he does this and the greatest gift perhaps his best song on live in Australia

[@raymondpoulle2315]

Cooper fantastique comme à son habitude

[@laurashook85]

❤Ray❤

[@edsknife]

Reasons why Ray Cooper is a master percussionist Reason 1: 9:22

[@tinogabriel5096]

... exactly .... 😎

[@jandavey7372]

Ray Cooper in my humble opinion is probably the best Percussionist ever. ROCK'N'ROLL. JANBOY. RN. Rtd.

[@larrym9946]

God gave you all this talent, and you spurn Him. Please seek God/Jesus, ask for forgiveness from all you sins, repent, and you will be saved. John 3:16

[@leefaulk3195]

He spurns Him??How so?? What sins does he need to repent from? That’s bull crap!!!!

[@AlekseySh1982]

Душевно сыграли! Хорошо, что Вы не поленились это записать, в отличие от меня)).

[@jacquiadams863]

Ray Cooper is fabulous

[@ljsites]

This is my favorite EJ song. PS. I owned a Yamaha. It was a 250cc

[@philipelias457]

@2:41 ouch... does he have to throw those sticks into the crowd?

[@Stephanie-up1kx]

Yes

[@davidcohen6804]

This is incredible

[@paulcybotron347]

Only Ray can turn percussion into THE lead instrument on stage!!

[@indisummer2557]

So beautyful

[@raimondobuonocuore4332]

Love

[@Baribrotzer]

I wonder whether those string sounds (at about five minutes) are backing tracks, or a MIDI connection from Elton's piano, or even an offstage musician.

[@jimmyinreallife]

Keyboardist off screen

[@eltontothemax]

@@jimmyinreallife no, MIDI from EJ's piano.

[@andysmith8189]

MIDI

[@Baribrotzer]

@@eltontothemax Elton's old enough that doing it all for real would be important to him. Adding in a synth voice he's playing every note of is OK. Backing tracks are not.

[@eltontothemax]

@@Baribrotzer sorry, I didn’t say it wasn’t ok?

[@chrisbedard2243]

I think elton john did that for george michael two great legend rip george michael

[@AlekseySh1982]

Not for him.

[@svetlanaminasyan3454]

Myyyyy😍💖💞🌏🌍🌎

[@Narra961]

Simplesmente Elton John

[@jackwhite9395]

I didn't hear Funeral for a Friend?

[@nickvarga918]

Funeral for a Friend is the beginning music before Love Lies Bleeding. You've heard them played together so long that you don't realize that they are actually two separate pieces.

[@MYUTUB1]

Actually, in this set he followed "Funeral" with "Tonight", not "Love Lies Bleeding".

[@davidkyle2073]

He actually left off a major portion of Funeral for a Friend, that being the synthesized opening few minutes created by producer David Hentschel (sp?) for the original album recording. He also leaves out the lengthy chromatic rise/build up into Love Lies Bleeding…

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

Ray Cooper is on of the God's of Percussion .

[@edmilsonlima4111]

Ray Cooper é um lunático. Ele, Nígel e John Mahon formam um trio perfeito

[@davidjones1052]

I just love the way that Ray nods his head (at ~ 6.04) in approval. Just a pair of musical geniuses....

[@pnynx]

His voice is gone but still the greatest pop piano player ever

[@Music_is_Breathing]

Ray Cooper is the best percussionist ever!!!! He is more amazing than Elton could ever be!

[@leefaulk3195]

Whoa now… don’t get carried away …….

[@Music_is_Breathing]

@@leefaulk3195 there are maybe half a dozen outstanding pianists like Elton John. There is only one Ray Cooper. Major Ray Cooper fan here 🤪 Not the Elton isn't fantastic here...it is such a beautiful song!!!!

[@СергейВолков-щ5ы3ж]

многие ударились в современные виды написания музыки

[@machobat]

the legend!