See Photos From Elton John’s Legendary Dodger Stadium Concerts

2 minute read

When Elton John took the stage for two back-to-back sold out shows at Dodger Stadium 40 years ago, on Oct. 25 and 26 of 1975, it wasn’t because he was a big baseball fan. He preferred the English game of rounders, he told TIME, because it was “not nearly as violent” and didn’t involve “sliding into bases and trying to get the guy with your cleats.”

Rather, at the very height of his fame, the performer needed the stadium (twice over, in fact) to accommodate the 100,000+ fans desperate to see him play. So the baseball-phobe became the first artist to play Dodger Stadium since the Beatles nearly a decade earlier. And photographer Terry O’Neill was right there for all of it. The photos that resulted from O’Neill’s deep access are now being brought together in the book Two Days That Rocked the World, from which the images above are drawn. Elton John was obviously a major star before the concerts took place—hence the legions of fans, and his appearance on the cover of TIME shortly before—but those days would come to be considered by many fans to be peak Elton.

How much did the spangled Dodger uniform, designed by Bob Mackie, cost? “Two thousand,” Elton was quoted by TIME as quipping. “But that’s just a ballpark figure.”

Two Days that Rocked the World bookjacket
Terry O'Neill—ACC Art Books

Two Days That Rocked the World will be available Oct. 30 at bookstores and online.

Read TIME’s cover story about Elton John from the summer of 1975, here in the TIME Vault: Rock’s Captain Fantastic

Musicians on the Cover of TIME

The Dixie Chicks (May 29, 2006)JILL GREENBERG FOR TIME
Kanye West (Aug. 29, 2005)KWAKU ALSTON FOR TIME
Ricky Martin (May 24, 1999)TIME
Lauryn Hill (Feb. 8, 1999)TIME
Jewel (July 21, 1997)HERB RITTS
Pearl Jam (Oct. 25, 1993)NEAL PRESTON
Garth Brooks (March 30, 1992)JAMES SCHNEPF / GAMMA LIAISON
Madonna (May 27, 1985)FRANCESCO SCAVULLO
Michael Jackson (March 19, 1984)ANDY WARHOL
David Bowie (July 18, 1983)TIME
The Who (Dec. 17, 1979)TIME
Linda Ronstadt (Feb. 28, 1977)MILTON GREENE
Paul McCartney (May 31, 1976)RICHARD E. AARON
Elton John (July 7, 1975)DON WELLER
Cher (March 17, 1975)RICHARD AVEDON
Joni Mitchell (Dec. 16, 1974)BOB PEAK
James Taylor (March 1, 1971)J. H. BRESLOW
The Band (Jan. 12, 1970)BOB PEAK
Aretha Franklin (June 28, 1968)BORIS CHALIAPIN
The Beatles (Sept. 22, 1967)TIME
Joan Baez (Nov. 23, 1962)TIME
Frank Sinatra (Aug. 29, 1955)TIME
Rosemary Clooney (Feb. 23, 1953) BORIS CHALIAPIN
Louis Armstrong (Feb. 21, 1949)BORIS ARTZYBASHEFF
Bing Crosby (Apr. 7, 1941)ERNEST HAMLIN BAKER
In 1974, Bobby Riggs, a former tennis champion who boasted at aged 55, he could easily beat any one of the best women players of the time, challenged Billie Jean King to a match. In a widely viewed television ‘battle of the sexes’ events, Billie Jean King easily beat her foe. Her score, as seen on Elton’s T-shirt, was 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.”
Elton John wearing a Billie Jean King t-shirt. In 1974, Bobby Riggs, a former tennis champion, boasted that at age 55, he could beat any one of the best women players of the time. In a widely viewed television ‘battle of the sexes’ events, Billie Jean King easily beat her foe. Her score, as seen on Elton’s T-shirt, was 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.Terry O'Neill—Iconic Images
Both shows were an instant sell-out, 110,000 rock fans descended upon Dodger Stadium to witness music magic.
Both shows were an instant sell-out and 110,000 rock fans descended upon Dodger Stadium to witness music magic.Terry O'Neill—Iconic Images
Amongst the many celebrities who were backstage included actor Cary Grant. “The first night we were in our trailer getting changed and hanging out, doing all sorts of things – one of the wives, a real London girl – looked out of the curtain and said ‘Oi! Gary Cooper is out there!’ Not likely, I thought, as he was dead. But low and behold it was Cary Grant – looking like a knight in shining armour. I loved Cary Grant! We went out and talked to him and he had some really profound things to say. I was very humbled.” -Davey Johnstone, guitarist
The many celebrities who were backstage included actor Cary Grant.“The first night we were in our trailer getting changed and hanging out, doing all sorts of things – one of the wives, a real London girl – looked out of the curtain and said ‘Oi! Gary Cooper is out there!’ Not likely, I thought, as he was dead. But low and behold it was Cary Grant – looking like a knight in shining armor. I loved Cary Grant! We went out and talked to him and he had some really profound things to say. I was very humbled.” -Davey Johnstone, guitarist Terry O'Neill—Iconic Images
“When Elton was onstage, the whole stadium just vibrated.” – Kenny Passarelli, bassist
“When Elton was onstage, the whole stadium just vibrated.” – Kenny Passarelli, bassistTerry O'Neill—Iconic Images
Even at rehearsal, Elton John gave a performance.
Even at rehearsal, Elton John gave a performance.Terry O'Neill—Iconic Images
“I joined the backup vocalists – Jon Joyce, Cindy Bullens and Ken Gold – for several songs. We were all decked out in one-piece jumpsuits that looked like something a gas station attendant would wear. It was, after all, 1975 in all its glory!” –Billie Jean King
“I joined the backup vocalists – Jon Joyce, Cindy Bullens and Ken Gold – for several songs. We were all decked out in one-piece jumpsuits that looked like something a gas station attendant would wear. It was, after all, 1975 in all its glory!” –Billie Jean KingTerry O'Neill—Iconic Images
“Every time I photographed him, I never knew what he was going to wear. He had the most bewildering selection of clothes. He just produced all these magic looks.” –Terry O’Neill Bob Mackie’s now-famous sequined white Dodgers uniform hangs in the background
“Every time I photographed him, I never knew what he was going to wear. He had the most bewildering selection of clothes. He just produced all these magic looks.” –Terry O’Neill Bob Mackie’s now-famous sequined white Dodgers uniform hangs in the backgroundTerry O'Neill—Iconic Images
Billie Jean King stands in front of the 45-member James Cleveland Choir, who joined Elton onstage for several songs.
Billie Jean King stands in front of the 45-member James Cleveland Choir, who joined Elton onstage for several songs.Terry O'Neill—Iconic Images
“I had to climb to the top of the stadium to see what it looked like filled with that many people.” – Terry O’Neill
“I had to climb to the top of the stadium to see what it looked like filled with that many people.” – Terry O’NeillTerry O'Neill—Iconic Images

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Write to Lily Rothman at lily.rothman@time.com