Madison Square Garden

The arena where Elton John celebrated his 60th birthday with his 60th concert.

Madison Square Garden is the New York City arena where Elton John performed his 60th concert at the venue on his 60th birthday, 25 March 2007. This concert was recorded and released as the 2-disc DVD set Elton 60 – Live at Madison Square Garden. The concert coincides with his record-setting 60th concert at the Garden, making it a significant milestone in his career at that specific venue.

Quick Facts

Nickname

MSG
The Garden
The World's Most Famous Arena
The Mecca

Address

4 Pennsylvania Plaza

Location

Midtown Manhattan, New York City, U.S.

Groundbreaking

October 29, 1964

Opened

1879, 1890, 1925 (former locations), 11 February 1968 (current location)

Renovated

1989–1991, 2011–2013

Owner

Madison Square Garden Entertainment

Architect

Charles Luckman Associates, Brisbin Brook Beynon Architects

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The source directly ties Madison Square Garden to a specific, record-setting event: Elton John's 60th concert at the venue, which took place on his 60th birthday, 25 March 2007. This performance was captured for the DVD release Elton 60 – Live at Madison Square Garden. The concert featured appearances by comedians Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg, as well as special remarks to the audience by lyricist Bernie Taupin. The Brooklyn Youth Chorus also performed on several songs during this historic show. The DVD release was originally scheduled for 25 September 2007, then postponed to 2 October 2007, with a 2-DVD and 1-CD box set following on 9 October 2007.

Reader's Guide

For fans looking to experience this specific Madison Square Garden event, the primary source is the 2-disc DVD set Elton 60 – Live at Madison Square Garden. Disc One contains the full concert, featuring a 33-song setlist that spans from 1970's 'Sixty Years On' to 2006's 'The Bridge.' Disc Two, titled 'Live, Rare & Unseen,' includes a montage of 'Your Song,' rare TV performances from 1970 to 2006, and a section called 'Elton's New York Stories' with performances from various venues including the Royal Festival Hall and Madison Square Garden itself. A box set version also includes a bonus CD with 15 tracks from the concert. The concert featured Elton John's regular band: Davey Johnstone, Bob Birch, Guy Babylon, Nigel Olsson, John Mahon, and Martin Tillman, with additional performances by The Brooklyn Youth Chorus.

Recording Context and Production Challenges

This live album captures Elton John's triumphant return to the stage during his Medusa Tour, specifically documenting two consecutive nights at Madison Square Garden in October 2000. Although marketed as a single-night event, the final product relies heavily on audio from the second performance due to significant technical difficulties that plagued the first evening. Phil Ramone served as the producer for this project, overseeing a complex recording process managed by a dedicated team including Frank Filipetti and Randy Ezratty. The album features John's core band members such as Davey Johnstone on guitars and Nigel Olsson on drums, ensuring the musical backbone remained tight despite the live setting. The production credits reveal a massive collaborative effort involving lighting designers, wardrobe stylists, and multiple engineers to capture the energy of the arena show. Ultimately, these logistical hurdles were overcome to deliver a polished recording that was certified gold by the RIAA in July 2001, marking a successful commercial release for the veteran artist.

Musical Collaborations and Guest Appearances

The tracklist highlights a star-studded array of guest vocalists who joined Elton John on stage to perform iconic duets. Kiki Dee reuniting with John for their hit 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' stands out as a nostalgic moment, while Ronan Keating shares the spotlight for an emotional rendition of 'Your Song.' Bryan Adams lends his voice to 'Sad Songs (Say So Much),' and Mary J. Blige joins for a powerful performance of 'I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues.' The DVD release expands this list further, featuring Anastacia on 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' and the legendary Billy Joel joining John for a special duet version of 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.' These collaborations were not merely promotional but integral to the live experience, showcasing John's enduring relationships within the music industry. The inclusion of these artists transformed standard solo performances into dynamic events, celebrating shared histories and musical chemistry that resonated deeply with the Madison Square Garden audience.

Differences Between Audio and Visual Releases

Fans purchasing this collection will notice distinct variations between the CD album and the accompanying DVD release, particularly regarding song arrangements and featured guests. While the audio version presents 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' as a solo performance by John, the video documentation captures a memorable duet with Billy Joel, offering a unique perspective on the song's delivery. Similarly, the live footage of 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' differs from the track found on the compact disc, providing alternate takes that enrich the overall viewing experience. The DVD also includes several tracks absent from the audio album, such as 'Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding' and 'Tiny Dancer,' creating a more comprehensive archive of the concert. Furthermore, the video edition features exclusive music videos with celebrities like Robert Downey Jr., Justin Timberlake, and Elizabeth Taylor, adding a multimedia layer that extends beyond the traditional live album format.

Commercial Success and Legacy

Released in 2000, this project served as a significant milestone in Elton John's long career, solidifying his status as a premier live performer. The album achieved gold certification in the United States within months of its release, demonstrating strong consumer demand for high-quality live recordings from established artists. The extended DVD version further amplified this success by offering fans an immersive visual experience that complemented the audio tracks. With photography by David LaChapelle and design work by Peacock, the physical packaging reflected a premium production value befitting the legendary venue of Madison Square Garden. The project remains a testament to John's ability to draw massive crowds and deliver consistent performances even in the new millennium. Its enduring presence in discographies highlights how technical challenges can sometimes lead to even more refined artistic outputs, preserving a specific moment in time for future generations of music lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times has Elton John performed at Madison Square Garden?

He has played the venue more than one hundred times across his career. This high number of shows makes him the solo artist with the most performances in the arena's history.

What record does Elton John hold regarding this venue?

He is recognized as the solo artist with the most shows ever performed at Madison Square Garden. This distinction highlights his unique relationship with New York audiences over six decades. It remains a key statistic in any discussion of his live performance history.