In October 1975, Elton John delivered two legendary performances at Dodger Stadium that not only defined his career but also secured his place in rock history. Taking place on October 25 and 26, these concerts marked a high point for John, who at 28 was riding the wave of back-to-back chart-topping albums, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy and Rock of the Westies. No artist had ever debuted two consecutive albums at No. 1, not even The Beatles or Elvis. And now, at the peak of his fame, Elton was about to dazzle more than 100,000 fans across two nights.

The atmosphere at Dodger Stadium was electric, and fans could feel something special was about to happen. As the crowd roared, Elton kicked off the set with “Your Song,” immediately commanding the stage in sparkling white overalls, rhinestone-studded glasses, and a blue shirt glittering in the California sun. This was no ordinary concert—this was a spectacle, blending Elton’s flamboyant style with his raw musical talent.

But the most iconic moment came during the second set when Elton strutted onto the stage in his now-legendary Bob Mackie-designed sequined Dodgers uniform, complete with a bedazzled baseball cap. As he hammered through hit after hit, including “Bennie and the Jets,” “Rocket Man,” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” the crowd sang and danced along. The energy in the stadium reached a fever pitch as Elton ascended the stage atop his piano, wielding a baseball bat like a rock ‘n’ roll superhero.

The lineup for the shows was just as extraordinary. Backed by his band and a 45-member gospel choir, Elton brought the house down with a blend of rock, ballads, and showmanship that left no doubt about his status as a musical phenomenon. Notable moments included tennis star Billie Jean King joining him on stage to sing backup on “Philadelphia Freedom” and a surprise appearance by local car dealer Cal Worthington, who brought a live lion on stage—a nod to his wild TV commercials.

The sheer scale of the performance was mind-blowing. These were the largest concerts ever hosted by a solo artist at the time, making Elton the first musician to headline Dodger Stadium since The Beatles nearly a decade earlier. Fans still recall the emotional resonance of hearing “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” as the sun set over Los Angeles. The performance wasn’t just about music—it was a cultural moment, an intersection of rock, fashion, and pure showbiz spectacle.

For Elton, the concerts were a career pinnacle, and the triumph was all the more poignant considering his personal struggles behind the scenes. In his memoir Me, Elton candidly recounts an overdose attempt just days before the concert, reflecting the intense pressures he faced. Despite this, he emerged on stage with the same vigor and spirit that had defined his rise to fame.

These 1975 Dodger Stadium concerts have since become the stuff of legend, cementing Elton John as a cultural icon. Photographer Terry O’Neill’s images from that weekend remain some of the most iconic shots of the singer’s career. For fans and critics alike, those two nights were more than just concerts—they were a statement of Elton’s unmatched brilliance and flamboyance in the world of rock ‘n’ roll​.