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Happy New Year, all my loyal subscribers and Elton John fans! I am back with my first big upload of 2013: Live at Wembley Arena on December 11, 1985! Gregsynthwizard originally uploaded it first, but I am uploading it again in preparation for the new 1985-1986 debate which I am looking forward to. This is the first of 9 consecutive gigs Elton would perform at Wembley during his 1985-1986 Ice On Fire Tour. The quality is very good, though a tad distant, and it is mostly complete except for minor cuts in the beginnings and ends of several songs.

As this is a 1985 show, Elton's voice is truly amazing, and he has one of the best bands he has ever had in his long career. Not only does he have the venerable Davey Johnstone on guitar, he also has David Paton on bass, the awesome Charlie Morgan on drums, and the great keyboardist Fred Mandel, he also has the truly great Onward International Horn Section, and some great backup singers, and even better, Ray Cooper is back! The audience is truly enthusiastic as well, cheering wildly with Elton's great performances! Now, onto the setlist!

EJ starts the show on a soft note, with his short instrumental Highlander, which then transitions nicely into Tonight, which is a very good version, and he hits the falsettos, but he is a little conservative here. Next is One Horse Town, which is a great version with hectic music and great singing, plus he hits the falsettos, but doesn't go all-out with them like with Tonight. Better Off Dead comes up next, he dedicates it to Jonathan King (I don't know who he is), and it is one of the best live versions ever, the pounding music is great, and Elton's vocals are even better! Rocket Man then follows, Elton hits the falsettos, not being conservative this time, and he gives an epic musical and vocal performance, but not as epic as the later 1986 versions. He proceeds to follow this with another Honky Chateau song, Honky Cat, which just happens to be one of the best 1985 versions, the music is fast paced and fits the song's mood, and EJ sings very nicely, hitting the falsettos again! Plus, Ray Cooper uses the famous duck call once again! Next is Burn Down the Mission, which is a solid version as always, with epic music and great vocals. Someone Saved My Life Tonight is next, which is also an always-great version, Elton has some really nice vocals, he hits the high notes very nicely, and the music is great as well. The Bitch is Back is next to bat, and is always great for 1985-1986, and it is one of the best live versions of the song ever. The medley then follows, and it is one of the best versions ever, Elton has excellent vocals on Song For You especially, he goes all-out on the high notes, and Blue Eyes and I Guess That's Why are awesome as well. Restless comes up next, and is in its usual hectic musical style, with some great vocals, especially Elton's "Restless, YEAH!!" at the end. Passengers is a great version, the music is even better than the album version, and Elton sings great, but he gets a few lyrics wrong in the first verse (i.e. "wheels upon the train" instead of "wheels upon the rails"). Next is Bennie and the Jets, which has some obnoxious vocals, especially the "HEEEEYYYYY Kids" in the first verse ant the funny phrasing in the 3rd chorus, alongside the awesome music. Elton then introduces the band in his usual funny way, even calling Davey "the Dusty Springfield of the 80's." LOL!

Sad Songs then follows the intro, and is a great version, even though it doesn't have the long instrumental intro that he would perform before the song in 1986. This Town is a great version, the energetic music and excellent vocal delivery go very well. Next is Nikita, which is one of the best live 1985-86 versions, Elton delivers some amazing vocals and the backup singers are awesome as well! Next is Wrap Her Up, which is probably the best version I've heard, even though George Michael is sadly not on this version. I'm Still Standing then follows, and it is another solid version, and Elton still does the angry bird phrasing on the chorus, though it is not as bad as in later versions. Your Song is a wonderful version, with some very smooth vocals and great instrumentals, especially Davey's guitar playing, which is great here. The backup singers do some great vocals here as well, Elton does a duet with one of them in the 2nd chorus and the end! To somber up the mood, he performs a very epic version of Candle in the Wind, which is one of the best 1985 versions ever, his voice is really smooth here. Kiss the Bride is very energetic, with some great singing as well. Next, he plays Football Crazy, a spunky little instrumental which transitions into the closing number, Can I Get A Witness, which is a great version which would make Marvin Gaye proud.

I hope you will enjoy this, and please look forward to more solid uploads from me in the weeks to come!