Watch rare Elton John concert footage as the singer celebrates 50 years of Caribou

Elton John is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his eighth studio album Caribou by sharing some rare concert footage of his first live performance of the hit The Bitch Is Back.

The video shows Elton on 5 May 1974 in front of 40,000 fans at Vicarage Road at his legendary Watford FC Benefit Concert, playing the song two months before its release on Caribou.

Elton John shares rare concert footage of The Bitch Is Back

The track would be the album’s second single and would reach No.4 in the US and No.15 in the UK charts.

Elton had recently been appointed as director of Watford Football Club and put on the benefit concert to give the club a financial boost – tickets started from £1 and it included guests such as Rod Stewart and Nazareth.

The concert was not filmed for official release, making the video a rare gem. Watch the unearthed footage below:

The resurfacing of this footage comes just before Record Store Day on 20 April, which will see UMR release a special 50th Anniversary Edition of Caribou.

The reissue will be released as a 2LP set on 180g limited edition sky blue vinyl.

The package includes the original album which features the Elton John songs The Bitch Is Back and Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, plus a newly compiled LP of bonus tracks, including the previously unreleased Ducktail Jiver, which is the only true out-take from the Caribou sessions in January 1974.

Tracklist

SIDE A:
1. The Bitch Is Back
2. Pinky
3. Grimsby
4. Dixie Lily
5. Solar Prestige A Gammon
6. You’re So Static

SIDE B:
7. I’ve Seen The Saucers
8. Stinker
9. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
10. Ticking

SIDE C:
11. Pinball Wizard
12. The Bitch Is Back (New Radio Mix 2024)
13. Ducktail Jiver
14. Sick City

SIDE D:
15. Cold Highway
16. Stinker (Extended Version 2024)
17. Snookeroo

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