Copyright 1989, 2008 Paul Maclauchlan Permission granted to copy this information if credit is given Explanation of symbols: + Live * Non-LP B-side # guest appearance $ If you have this I would love to hear it! CB Concert broadcast
Long John Baldry expands the group into a nine-piece band and moves to the cabaret circuit as the John Baldry Show.
UK MAGAZINE - NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS
The famous music paper advertisement by Ray Williams, soliciting talent for Liberty Records. Both Reg Dwight and Bernie Taupin answer the ad.
In a 1992 interview with John F. Higgins, Ray Williams described his meeting with Reg Dwight as follows:
John: So, anyone who comes in to your office and says (as Reg Dwight did), "I feel lost," you just hand them their life, is that how it works?
Ray: (Laughs) He actually did say that, yes. I have had in the past, a pretty good intuition if somebody or something has talent or potential. Now, it's very easy to say when you look back. But I do remember I was really impressed. He had something in his voice. He certainly didn't have any writing ability at that time. But he had a great voice, even then. It had great warmth, character and appeal. It was one of those great recording voices. When he first came into the office he was just a member of the backing group (Bluesology, who were the band for Long John Baldry at the time) that wasn't allowed to sing. I can remember him saying that. The problem was, he wanted to sing and he wasn't allowed to, really, other than to do backing vocals.
In regards to Bernie Taupin, the exchange went like this:
John: When Bernie sent his packet of lyrics in, was it purely the contents, or was there a letter with it?
Ray:Yes, God, I seem to remember the letter that came. It said, basically, "I'm a poet and I think that my words might be suitable as lyrics if set to music." There were dozens of people sending in lyrics. Most of them were "moon in June" and that sort of stuff. But there was some sort of imagination attached to Bernie's. They weren't just the norm, even though we couldn't understand all of them. I think that it was this (imagination) that made me think that I should put him in touch with Elton... that he was the one. You know, it could easily have gone no further. But there were these lyrics and I wrote Bernie back saying I'd pass them on and that sort of thing. And that's how it all started.
ENGLAND AUDITION - Regent Sound Studios, Denmark Street, London
Reg Dwight auditions for Liberty Records. Ray Williams declines to sign him, but suggests Reg might want to "try" writing songs with Bernie Taupin.
Reg Dwight is signed through an agency to replace Eric Hine on keyboards for the band Simon Dupree And The Big Sound during a tour of Scotland. Reg played Hammond organ and Mellotron for £25 a week.
Reg kept in touch with Ray Shulman after Eric Hine returned to the group. Simon Dupree And The Big Sound later recorded, but didn't release, the Elton John / Bernie Taupin song I'm Going Home. Elton contributed piano to that recording and also the unreleased songs Laughing Boy From Nowhere and Give It All Back. All were to eventually be heard on the Simon Dupree And The Big Sound CD release Part Of My Past on April 27 2004.
This information is from Peter O'Flaherty's web site Simon Dupree and The Big Sound. Peter was the bass guitar player in the group. Be sure to visit Peter's site to read his memoir of that summer and see pictures of young Reg Dwight on tour in Scotland!
SCOTLAND CONCERTS - Simon Dupree And The Big Sound with Reg Dwight on keyboards
This information is from Peter O'Flaherty's web site Simon Dupree and The Big Sound.
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION
Published by The Hollies publishing company, Gralto, ( subsidiary of Dick James Music) none of these songs have been released by any artist.
Lyrics from Scarecrow:
"Like moths around a light bulb
Your brain is still bleeding
From visions and pictures of nature's young raincoat
If only my eyes were not pinned to your table
My arms would be grasping the lilies of summer."
"A wooden construction...can you still see me Scarecrow."
UK 45 - Bluesology
The B-side is available on the LP ROCK LEGENDS - RARE TRACKS Polydor 2475 711 (Australia), also released in Germany. Caleb Quaye has joined the band at this point.
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION
None of these songs have been released by any artist.
Reg Dwight and Bernie Taupin are signed to DJM records.
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION
This song has not been released by any artist.
Reg Dwight resigns from Bluesology and changes his name to Elton John. The name is combined from those of his bandmates, saxophone player Elton Dean and singer Long John Baldry.
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION
This song has not been released by any artist.
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