Hear Elton John’s First-Ever ‘Rocket Man’ Performance From ‘Honky Château’ Reissue

Elton John will mark the (slightly belated) 50th anniversary of Honky Château — the album that brought the world “Rocket Man” — with a massive reissue featuring the original LP alongside unreleased demos and a 1972 London concert.

Honky Château 50th Anniversary Edition, due out March 24, boasts nine demos that John and his band — along with Bernie Taupin, who brought along his typewriter — recorded at a weeklong session at the now legendary Château d’Hérouville in Paris, where the 1972 LP – one of Rolling Stone‘s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time – was recorded.

Additionally, the reissue features John’s Feb. 5, 1972 concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall, where he debuted many of the Honky Chateau songs live; ahead of the reissue’s release, John has shared that night’s rendition of “Rocket Man,” which was the first time John ever played the song live:

Honky Château 50th Anniversary Edition — available to preorder now in a variety of formats, including 2CD, 2LP, and limited edition gold vinyl —  comes complete with a 40-page booklet containing rare photos, memorabilia, and an essay featuring interviews from those involved in the album’s recording.

Honky Château 50th Anniversary Edition Track List

Disc 1:

HONKY AT THE CHÂTEAU (SESSION DEMOS) PART ONE

Disc 2:

HONKY AT THE CHÂTEAU (SESSION DEMOS) PART TWO

LIVE AT THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, LONDON, FEBRUARY 5TH 1972