Copyright 1989, 2006 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!
US MAGAZINE - Circus
Elton John cover story: "Greatest Hits - Tomorrow's Classics Or Yesterday's Pap?"
UK NEWSPAPER
The UK newspapers report that Elton John and Bernie Taupin are writing a rock opera version of Hamlet, in which Elton will star. Ken Russell is touted to direct and David Bowie is reportedly singing and dancing the part of Ophelia.
John Reid, Elton's manager, replied: "Utter nonsense."
US LP - EMPTY SKY
MCA 2130 (US: #6)
Same track list as the UK LP, but with a different cover.
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Buy |
Buy: Elton John - Empty Sky CD |
CONCERT - Average White Band
Elton John performed onstage with the Average White Band.
CONCERT - Doobie Brothers
Elton John performed onstage with the Doobie Brothers.
CANADA MAGAZINE - Beetle
Cover photo and article: Elton John - Kiss of the Keys
UK NEWSPAPER - New Musical Express
The first of a three part series The Life And Times Of Elton, by Roy Carr and Charles Shaar. Subsequent chapters appear in the March 1 (Part 2) and March 8 (Part 3) issues.
US 45
MCA 40364 (US: #1 (2 weeks); 21 weeks)
I Saw Her Standing There was recorded at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 28 1974.
UK 45
DJM DJS 354 (UK: #12; 9 weeks)
I Saw Her Standing There was recorded at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 28 1974.
US LP - Overnight Success - Neil Sedaka
Released in the US under the title: The Hungry Years, in November 1975.
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| Buy: Neil Sedaka - The Hungry Years CD |
Buy: Neil Sedaka - The Hungry Years CD |
UK TV
Elton John cancels an appearance on Top Of The Pops. He goes on to refuse to appear on any television show in the UK. This is a reaction to the Musicians' Union rule that artists must re-record songs in order to perform them on TV.
UK RADIO - Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Disc Jockey (BBC Radio One) $
On Good Friday, Elton John is the guest disc jockey (EJ The DJ) for a radio show, playing his own records and performing a live on-air promotional jingle.
ENGLAND FILM PREMIERE - Tommy at the Leicester Square Theatre, London
Elton John attends the European premeire.
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| Buy: Tommy DVD |
Buy: Tommy DVD |
UK LP - Sweet Deceiver - Kevin
Ayers $
Elton John guests on piano for these songs.
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| Buy: Kevin Ayers - Sweet Deceiver CD |
Buy: Kevin Ayers - Sweet Deceiver CD |
US FILM - Tommy
Ken Russell's film version of The Who's Tommy. Elton John is featured as the Pinball Wizard and appears on screen performing the song with The Who.
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| Buy: Tommy DVD |
Buy: Tommy DVD |
US LP - Tommy (Original Soundtrack
Recording)
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| Buy: Tommy Movie Soundtrack CD |
Buy: Tommy Movie Soundtrack CD |
Elton John fires bandmates Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson. Conflicting reports in the New Musical Express newspaper suggest the split was less than amicable.
Elton John: "I've never fired anybody in my life. Both members took it very hard. I did them both by phone. Nigel was in LA... he actually took it worse than Dee to start with. But since then I've seen Nigel a lot and he's actually closer to me now than he's ever been. Even though underneath of it all, he's still deeply hurt. Dee, however, is not talking to me. We've only had the one phone call. I phone dhim up and asked him out to dinner and he wouldn't go. He's a little hurt and I can understand that..."
"It's an impossible sort of situation saying to someone after five years that they're out and that's it. But give it a little time and things will work out."
US MAGAZINE - Creem
Elton John cover picture and interview.
US LP - Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt
Cowboy
MCA 2142
In the liner notes to the 1990 Elton John box set To Be Continued...Bernie Taupin says this, "(is) probably the finest album we've made."
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| Buy: Elton John - Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy CD |
Buy: Elton John - Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy CD |
UK LP - Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt
Cowboy
DJM DJLPX1 (UK: #2; 24 weeks)
Same songs as US LP
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| Buy: Elton John - Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy CD |
Buy: Elton John - Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy CD |
US MAGAZINE - 16 Magazine
Contest: Elton: Win His Bangle - & More!!!
NETHERLANDS REHEARSALS - Amsterdam
Elton John and a new band start reheasals for a June 21 show at Wembley Stadium and a tour. Musicians: Davey Johnstone: guitar; Caleb Quaye: guitar; James Newton-Howard: keyboards; Roger Pope: drums; Kenny Passerelli: bass and Ray Cooper: percussion. Also, three backup singers.
Elton: "It's fulfilling one of my lifelong ambitions. I've always wanted to be part of a good driving rock and roll band. The old band never used to drive - we used to rattle on. Whenever we played anything live, it was always twice the tempo of the recording and it was a bit off-putting to me. I want to chug rather than race. It's good to be racy sometimes, but now I want to rock and roll in a laid-back manner, and with this band I've got the chance of doing it. This band chugs."
ENGLAND CONCERT - Mid-Summer Music Festival, Wembley Stadium, London $
Debut of the new Elton John Band. The entire Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy album is played, in its original running order. Press reports indicate this was not a wise choice since the audience was not familiar with the material and many walk out during the set.
The live performance of the album will be released on the 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy, on September 13 2005.
Johnnie Walker serves as master of ceremonies. Elton John headlines the show. Also on the bill for this show: Beach Boys, Rufus, The Eagles, Joe Walsh and Stackridge.
US 45
MCA 40421 (US: #4; 13 weeks)
UK 45
DJM DJS 385 (UK: #22; 5 weeks)
US CONCERT - Oakland Coliseum, Oakland CA
Show featuring Elton John, Eagles and Doobie Brothers.
US MAGAZINE - Rock Scene
Elton John cover and article: Elton John In Tommy.
US MAGAZINE - 16 Magazine
Article: Elton John - Will You Be The Girl Elton Chooses?!
US MAGAZINE - Time
Don Weller cover art. Elton John cover story: Rock's Captain Fantastic
US CONCERT - Hughes Stadium - University of Colorado, Fort Collins - The Rolling Stones
Elton John joined The Rolling Stones onstage for Honky Tonk Women to open their concert, and stayed for the entire show. Mick Jagger: "We should have kicked him off the stage, but we didn't. It's because we're both English." During the show, Mick Jagger indroduced Elton John as "Reg from Watford".
US STUDIO - Caribou Ranch, CO
Elton John and the band record songs for the upcoming album.
US MAGAZINE - 16 Magazine
Article: Elton John - Shy Guy!
US MAGAZINE - Circus Raves
Bizarre cover photo of Elton on stage. Article: "Captain Fantastic Records Million $$ Friendship".
US AWARD - Rock Music Awards, Santa Monica CA
At the first ever Rock Music Awards ceremony, Elton John is named "outstanding rock personality of the year."
US MAGAZINE - People
Four page article: Elton John: His new look - everything's slimmer but his wallet.
North American Rock Of The Westies Tour.
US CONCERT - Troubadour Club, Los Angeles CA
Fifth anniversary of Elton John's American debut. Elton John and the band play two benefit shows (August 25 and 26) that raise over $150,000 for UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute.
The special Elton John - Five Years Of Fun tour book was published to celebrate the anniversary.
US CONCERT - San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego CA
The "real" opening of the North American tour, with The Elton John Bandband. Members of the band: Davey Johnstone: guitar; Caleb Quaye: guitar; James Newton-Howard: keyboards; Roger Pope: drums; Kenny Passerelli: bass and Ray Cooper: percussion. Also, three backup singers.
US MAGAZINE - 16 Magazine
Contest: Elton - Donny - Denver: Which One Is For You?
ENGLAND REHEARSAL - Wings at Elstree Film Studios, Hertfordshire
Elton Johnattends Wings' rehearsal performance in front of 1200 EMI executives on Stage 5 at the Elstree Film Studios in Hertfordshire. Afterwards, Wings join Elton at his Manager, John Reid's, birthday party. On the wall is a 50 foot tapestry of Elton . The setting for the party is an old western town.
UK NEWSPAPER - The Daily Telegraph
The paper reports Elton John is purchasing a mansion for nearly £400,000. The property is 37 acres and the "house" dates from Queen Anne's reign and has six bedroom suites. The property also includes a huge garden and swimming pool with change house. There is also a coach house block with garaging, stables, a staff cottage and groom's flat.
UK 45
DJM DJS 610 (UK: #14; 8 weeks)
Sugar On The Floor is from the Rock Of The Westies album sessions.
US 45
MCA 40461 (US: #1 (3 weeks); 15 weeks)
UK 45 - Neil Sedaka
US 45 - Neil Sedaka
US MAGAZINE - 16 Magazine
Article: Elton Hot Secrets!
US CONCERT - Community Center Arena, Tucson AZ
US CONCERT - Convention Center, Las Vegas NV
US CONCERT - Student Activities Center, Tampa FL
UK LP - Rock Of The Westies
DJM DJLPH 464
(UK: #5; 12 weeks)
In the April 2000 issue of MOJO magazine (#77), the following story is told about the recording of this album:
"...He [Gus Dudgeon] claims backing group Labelle were fine until they forgot the harmonies, sang all the the wrong parts and blamed each other for the resulting disorder... In his anxiety, Gus lit up a giant spliff, meandered into the studio and imitated the girls voices himself. That finale female portion of Medley is not Labelle but merely high Dudgeon. 'Elton never noticed' he chuckles."
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| Buy: Elton John - Rock Of The Westies CD |
Buy: Elton John - Rock Of The Westies CD |
US CONCERT - McNichols Arena, Denver CO
US CONCERT - Special Events Center, Salt Lake City UT
CANADA CONCERT - Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver BC
CANADA CONCERT - Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver BC
US CONCERT - Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland OR
"West Of The
Rockies"
US CONCERT - Seattle Coliseum, Seattle WA
US CONCERT - Seattle Coliseum, Seattle WA
US CONCERT - Oakland Coliseum, Oakland CA
US LP - Rock Of The Westies
MCA 1263
Same songs as UK LP
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| Buy: Elton John - Rock Of The Westies CD |
Buy: Elton John - Rock Of The Westies CD |
US CONCERT - Oakland Coliseum, Oakland CA
US AWARD - Hollywood Walk Of Fame Award, Hollywood CA
Elton John is honored with a star in the holy firmament of Hollywood's Walk of Fame, at 6915 Hollywood Boulevard. There are roughly 2000 stars on this famous star-studded strip of Hollywood Boulevard, only a modest percentage of them earned by recording artists. Thus it was one huge and historic day when an enormous, overflowing crowd cheered for Elton John as they saw him receive, not only his well-deserved star on the sidewalk, but also the honorary 'Star Award' from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (right).
It was also a particularly colorful and glamorous event because that year, Cash Box Magazine, important music trade sheet for over fifty years, sponsored a whole Elton John Induction Gala including arranging for Elton's dramatic arrival in a glittering golf cart wearing star shaped glasses!
In addition, the City of Los Angeles proclaimed it Elton John Day.
US CONCERT - Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles CA
Emmylou Harris and Joe Walsh opened for Elton John, who played a 3 hour & 45 minute set before 55,000 people. Guests during the show included: Bernie Taupin, Billie Jean King, Kiki Dee and the Rev. James Cleveland Choir (45 voices). Elton wore the famous sequined Los Angeles Dodgers uniform. This was the first rock concert to play the stadium since The Beatles in 1966.
The New Musical Express reports that Elton John and John Reid spent £50,000 to fly relatives, friends, staff and journalists from London to Los Angeles for the Dodger Stadium shows.
Lots of excellent pictures from this show on JeffWeHo's web page.
US CONCERT - Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles CA
The end of the North American tour.
Emmylou Harris and Joe Walsh opened for Elton John, who played a 3 hour & 45 minute set before 55,000 people. Guests during the show included: Bernie Taupin, Billie Jean King, Kiki Dee and the Rev. James Cleveland Choir (45 voices). Elton wore the famous sequined Los Angeles Dodgers uniform.
US MAGAZINE - 16 Magazine
Article: Elton - "His Life" Begin His Exciting True Life Story
US MAGAZINE - Hit Parader
Elton John cover and article: Elton John Says He Wants To Sing More And Be Less Bizarre
US MAGAZINE - Pageant
Elton John cover and article: Elton John Why He Didn't Commit Suicide.
Elton John becomes the godfather to Sean Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
US LP - Ba-Fa - Hudson
Brothers
Rocket PIG-2169
Produced by Bernie Taupin. Recorded in Canada. Did Elton John contribute keyboards to this album?
US LP - The Hungry Years- Neil
Sedaka
ROCKET / MCA PIG 2157
Elton John's guest appearance is credited as Ann Orson. Released in the UK under the title: Overnight Success, in February 1975.
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| Buy: Neil Sedaka - The Hungry Years CD |
Buy: Neil Sedaka - The Hungry Years CD |
US MAGAZINE - 16 Magazine
Article: Elton Tells All! - Out Of Tragic Teen Years - A Star Is Born
US MAGAZINE - Circus Raves
Tony King, the producer that founded The Bread And Beer Band, discusses their unreleased album in an article titled: "Elton's First Album: Not For Sale".
US ADVERTISING - Pioneer Electronics
Elton John appears, in costume, promoting Pioneer stereo components.
US MAGAZINE - Modern Screen
Elton John cover story: Elton John's Success Cost Him His Happiness.
UK 45 - Ayshea
DJM DJS 631
CAN 45 - Wednesday
SKYLINE SKY003X
Unreleased by Elton.
US TV - The Cher Show
Elton John also appears in a comedy sketch with Cher, Bette Midler and Flip Wilson.
US FILM - Aloha, Bobby And Rose
The soundtrack featured two Elton John songs: Bennie And The Jets and Tiny Dancer.
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| Buy: Aloha, Bobby And Rose DVD |
Buy: Aloha, Bobby And Rose DVD |
LP - Nigel Olsson - Nigel Olsson
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