'Never Too Late' Video Archive Footage Guide

Those watching the just-released video for Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s new song ‘Never Too Late‘ are taken on a journey across three distinct tracks: the writing and recording sessions for the song; Elton’s Farewell Tour and its final US stop, at Dodger Stadium two years ago; and the depths of his archives.

Serving as a teaser of the very much more that can be seen when the Elton John: Never Too Late documentary launches on Disney+ on December 13, the rare photographs and video clips, found by this writer and archival producers Kate and Mike Griffiths in Elton’s warehouse and from other sources, focus on Elton’s early career explosion, from 1970 to 1975.

We offer the following guide to help viewers identify the material, (not in order of appearance).

By John F. Higgins

(David Minasian / Rocket)

Dodger Stadium footage – October 25-26, 1975
Shot by UK television presenter Russell Harty and his crew at the Los Angeles venue, as well as home movie footage shot by David Minasian.

Backstage: Elton and bassist Kenny Passarelli; US manager Connie Pappas with Elton’s iconic LA Dodgers baseball costume, created and bedazzled by Bob Mackie.
Onstage: putting said costume into action.
Audience: various shots of fun and frivolity amongst the crowd.

Photographs – various
From assorted sources.

Pre-Elton Reg Dwight and early-Elton with Bernie Taupin (1953-April 1969), the latter taken by David Larkham.
Photos from Elton’s 1974 tour of North America, taken from photographer Sam Emerson’s contact sheets.
Two Emerson photos of Elton getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and one of Elton with John Lennon at rehearsals for their November 28, 1974 performance at Madison Square Garden.
Photographs from that Thanksgiving 1974 performance by Richard Carraro (Elton) and Michael Landskroner (John Lennon).

(Sam Emerson / Rocket)

Troubadour nightclub, Los Angeles – August 25, 1970
Only known footage of Elton’s first performance in America.

Rare “home movie” tour footage between June 1971 and September 1973
8mm film shot by Assistant Tour Manager John Babcock.

Kooyong (Melbourne), Australia - October 24, 1971 (John Babcock / Rocket)

US Tour - Fall 1972 (John Babcock / Rocket)

Photographer Bob Gruen, Bernie, Elton, and drummer Nigel Olsson backstage at Carnegie Hall in June 1971.
Elton walking through mid-town NYC in June 1971 and doing piano handstands in Tokyo four months later.
On a train between shows in Japan in October 1971.
Kneeling at, and standing on top of, the piano at his 1st concert in Melbourne, Australia, also in October.

Caught mid-yawn on a tour bus in Pennsylvania in November 1972 (also, guitarist Davey Johnstone reading a book).
Strutting on stage, performing Singing In The Rain, and rocking out at the piano during his fall 1972 US Tour.
Strutting (again) on stage at the Hollywood Bowl, and showing off the Starship 1 tour plane at an LA airport, in September 1973.

(Bryan Forbes / Rocket)

1973 Concert and ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ Sessions at the Château d’Hérouville, France – May 1973
Footage, some previously unseen, from a 1973 documentary by Bryan Forbes.

Elton walking through the grounds of the château, listening to a song playback, and recording the lead vocals to Candle In The Wind.
The venue marquee and Elton onstage at Sundown Theatre, London, March 22-23, 1973.

Royal Festival Hall, London – February 5, 1972
Elton performing Rocket Man for the very first time in front of an audience, two months before the song’s release as Honky Château’s first single.

Madison Square Garden, New York City – November 28, 1974
Super-rare footage, shot by audience member Mary Ann Summers, of Elton welcoming John Lennon onto the stage.

‘Never Too Late’ Video Archive Footage Guide