Jump Up! Tour (1982 - 1983)

The Jump Up! Tour was a massive worldwide concert tour by the legendary English musician and composer, Elton John. Spanning multiple continents and legs, it served as a grand promotion for his 16th studio album, "Jump Up!". This monumental trek encompassed a staggering 135 shows across Australia, Europe, North America, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. The tour's curtain rose on March 10, 1982, at Athletic Park in Wellington, New Zealand, marking the triumphant return of Davey Johnstone to Elton John's band, reuniting the classic lineup on stage for the first time in eight years. This reunion set the stage for an electrifying journey through Australia and Europe, punctuated by a powerful appearance on Saturday Night Live in New York on April 17, where John delivered captivating performances of "Empty Garden" and "Ball And Chain." On June 12, the North American leg kicked off at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Highlights included a live nationwide radio broadcast of the July 7 show in Kansas City, Missouri, and a monumental three-night stand at the legendary Madison Square Garden from August 5 to 7. The latter proved especially poignant, as Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon joined Elton on stage two nights prior, embracing him after his heartfelt rendition of "Empty Garden," a tribute to the late John Lennon, marking the first time he had performed the song in New York City since Lennon's untimely passing. With Geffen label-mates Quarterflash as the opening act, Elton John and his band typically delivered a 23-song set, breathing new life into rarities like "Where Have All The Good Times Gone?", "Ball And Chain," and "Teacher I Need You," before encoring with a rousing medley of "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On," "I Saw Her Standing There," and "Twist and Shout." After a three-month hiatus, during which the band recorded the album "Too Low for Zero" in Montserrat, the tour resumed on November 2, 1982, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Over the next 43 shows, Elton John and his band crisscrossed the United Kingdom, culminating in a remarkable 16-night residency at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, spanning from December 9 to 24. Among these shows, the December 15 performance stood out as Nigel Olsson was unable to perform, resulting in a unique drummerless concert experience. The Christmas Eve show on December 24 was made even more special with an appearance by Kiki Dee, joining Elton for "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and the encores, including a festive rendition of "Jingle Bells." The Jump Up! Tour's final curtain call took place in South Africa in October 1983, with eight shows at the Sun City casino complex near Johannesburg, bringing an unforgettable global voyage to a triumphant close.