Where the Glitter Began From grey Britain to a technicolour explosion – the story of how rock got fabulous. Glam rock didn’t just happen – it erupted in the UK at the start of the 1970s like a sequinned volcano, turning drab streets into catwalks and ordinary lads into peacocks. The Spark That Lit the Fuse The drab backdrop: Three-day weeks, power cuts, strikes, and post-war austerity still hanging in the air. Britain needed colour, escape, and a damn good kick up the backsid

A Wembley Live Charity No. 1 Duet Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 25, 1991, on Epic Records (catalogue: 657646 7), George Michael & Elton John’s “Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me” was a live duet recorded at Wembley Arena on March 23, 1991. Backed with George’s “I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever),” this charity release (proceeds to London Lighthouse & Rainbow Trust) stormed to No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart for 2 weeks. Issued in so

Elton & Kiki's 24 Hours Flip Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 27, 1981, on Ariola Records (catalogue: ARO 269), Kiki Dee And Elton John’s “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever” was a soulful Four Tops cover from Kiki’s Perfect Timing album. Backed with “Twenty Four Hours,” the A-side — a remixed single version of the Stevie Wonder/Ivy Hunter classic — was produced by Pip Williams. No UK chart entry. A warm, overlooked Elton-Kiki reunion. Single Overview Rel

A Victim Of Love Rock 'n' Roll Cover Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 23, 1979, on The Rocket Record Company (catalogue: XPRES 24), Elton John’s “Johnny B. Goode” was a high-energy Chuck Berry cover from *Victim Of Love*. Backed with “Thunder In The Night,” this Pete Bellotte-produced disco-rocker featured lacquer cut at Utopia Studios. Issued in standard (A/B designated) and no A/B label variants, with a 12-inch companion. No UK chart entry. A bold ‘70

A Rock Of The Westies Funk Blast Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on January 9, 1976, on DJM Records (catalogue: DJS 10646), Elton John’s “Grow Some Funk Of Your Own” — backed with “I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford)” — was the second single from Rock Of The Westies. Produced by Gus Dudgeon, this funky rock double A-side showcased Elton’s mid-’70s band energy. A bold Rocket Records era miss. Taken from the album Rock of the Westies, shared its A-side

Elton and Kiki team up – the rocket man finds his perfect duet partner! one-page advert in Creem US Music Magazine, December 1, 1974.

Elton sweeps the board – the rocket man crowned king of rock for ’75! three-page feature in Circus Magazine, December 1, 1974..

Elton shines on the front page – the piano man in full rocket glory! cover Music Star, December 22, 1973. More Elton cover conquests added weekly.

The Piano Player That Hit No. 1 Released as an LP album in the UK by DJM Records (catalogue: DJLPS 427) on January 22, 1973, Elton John’s Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player was his sixth studio album. The first of two albums in 1973 (followed nine months later by Goodbye Yellow Brick Road), it marked his second consecutive No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and his first No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart. The lead single "Crocodile Rock" gave John his first No. 1 hit in both the

A Melody Maker Warm Calypso Praise Published in the UK on January 13, 1973, Melody Maker’s one-page single review “ELTON JOHN: “Daniel”” hailed the track as a warm, attractive song that grows with each hearing. Set to a lilting calypso beat with electric piano and steel drum effects, the review called it a fine song and convincing hit. The Bernie Taupin lyrics about an elder brother who flies away have a cloudy, floating quality, and the old firm (Elton & Bernie) believe it's

A Melody Maker Warm Calypso Praise Published in the UK on January 13, 1973, Melody Maker’s one-page single review “ELTON JOHN: “Daniel”” hailed the track as a warm, attractive song that grows with each hearing. Set to a lilting calypso beat with electric piano and steel drum effects, the review called it a fine song and convincing hit. The Bernie Taupin lyrics about an elder brother who flies away have a cloudy, floating quality, and the old firm (Elton & Bernie) believe it's

A Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Classic Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on January 12, 1973, on DJM Records (catalogue: DJS 271), Elton John’s “Daniel” — backed with “Skyline Pigeon” — was a poignant piano ballad written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin. The single entered the UK Singles Chart on January 20, 1973, remained for 10 weeks, and peaked at No. 4. A timeless Goodbye Yellow Brick Road era gem. It initially appeared as the opening track on John's 1973 album, Don'

Elton's Trident Studio Love Letter Published in the UK on January 16, 1971, Melody Maker’s article “Elton Chooses Trident” featured Elton John discussing his recording preferences, with a focus on why he insisted on London's Trident Studios for his second and third albums (Tumbleweed Connection and the upcoming one in March). Elton John’s second album, released in the middle of last year, possessed a quality of sound with few parallels in the history of pop records. It was cl

An Elton & Bernie Timeless Classic Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on January 8, 1971, on DJM Records (catalogue: DJS 233), Elton John’s “Your Song” — backed with “Into The Old Man's Shoes” — was the breakthrough ballad written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin. Produced by Gus Dudgeon with arrangements by Paul Buckmaster, this tender piano anthem entered the Official Singles Chart on January 23, 1971, peaking at No. 7 for 12 weeks, with a 2002 re-entry peaking at No.

Elton’s dusty Americana masterpiece – order now before the rockets take off! The New ELTON JOHN Album Tumbleweed Connection (DJLPS 410) – one-page advert in Sounds, December 26, 1970. D.J.M. (Distributors) Ltd., James House, 71/75 New Oxford St., London W.C.1A 1DP. Tel: 01.836.4864. Distributed by Pye Records (Sales) Ltd. More Elton early-career gems added weekly.

Elton John’s Elton's Talk In , a cover and two-page feature and advert in Sounds , December 26, 1970.

Elton's Early Taupin Ballad Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on January 17, 1969, on Philips Records (catalogue: BF 1739 / 326 939 BF), Elton John’s “Lady Samantha” — backed with “All Across The Havens” — was one of his earliest professional singles. Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin, this gentle ballad, his second single, six months before his first album, Empty Sky, came out. It appeared on its 1995 reissue as a bonus track. The single did not chart in the UK