Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom
Live at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY
September 13, 1986

After receiving the vocal nodule diagnosis following his disastrous show in Philadelphia on 9/8/1986--on 9/13 Elton had so far managed to turn three vocally strong shows while playing his favorite venue.

This show had mostly been booked where he'd be doing a set of three shows, followed by a day off, followed by three shows, followed by day off etc. Even early on he'd never be able to turn in three consistent days, his voice showing some kind of mild to severe ware and tear by that third consecutive show. The fact that he had turned in three vocally consistent shows without much noticeable change for the first time in the American "Ice On Fire" tour was a major victory, and it once again helps give credence to the theory he was given steroid treatments to help get him thru the remainder of the tour leg.

As mentioned, 9/13 is nearly as good a show as the previous excellent night on 9/12, and about as vocally solid. It was looking like he'd make it to four solid nights without vocal issue, at his favorite venue none the less! On 9/14, he'd close at the Garden, and it would undoubtably be a night to remember by Elton fans for generations to come...