Elton John (June 12, 2021) – Regimental Sgt. Zippo – LP International (Record Store Day)

The long-lost debut album by Elton John, recorded in 1967/68 and finally released for Record Store Day on June 12, 2021, under the title Regimental Sgt. Zippo.

RELEASE / PUBLICATION DETAILS Artist: Elton John

Title: Regimental Sgt. Zippo

Date: June 12, 2021

Label: DJM / Rocket Music

Format / Type: Studio Album (LP, Mono) Country: International Catalogue: 0602435557878

TRACK LIST

Side A

1. When I Was Tealby Abbey

2. And The Clock Goes Around

3. Sitting Doing Nothing

4. Turn To Me

5. Angel Tree

6. Regimental Sgt. Zippo

Side B

1. A Dandelion Dies In The Wind

2. You'll Be Sorry To See Me Go

3. Nina

4. Tartan Coloured Lady

5. Hourglass

6. Watching The Planes Go By

THE STORY 

Recorded between 1967 and 1968 at Olympic Studios and other London venues, Regimental Sgt. Zippo was intended to be Elton John’s debut album. Produced by Caleb Quaye, it features early songwriting collaborations with Bernie Taupin and Caleb Quaye. The project was ultimately shelved, and these recordings remained unreleased for over 50 years until this official mono vinyl release for Record Store Day 2021.

CONTEXT & NOTES 

This album captures a young Elton John still developing his signature style — a fascinating mix of psychedelia, music hall, and early singer-songwriter material. It is historically significant as it predates his breakthrough album Empty Sky (1969). The 2021 release includes one previously unreleased track and eight alternate versions, presented in beautiful swinging mono.

PERSONNEL 

Elton John – vocals, piano, keyboards Caleb Quaye – guitar, producer

Bernie Taupin – lyrics Additional musicians from the late 1960s sessions

PRODUCTION 

Produced by Caleb Quaye

CHARTS 

Did not chart (2021 reissue)

PACKAGING / ARTWORK HIGHLIGHTS

• Striking psychedelic cover art with overlapping faces and swirling patterns

• Vibrant pink, orange, and yellow colour scheme

• Gatefold packaging with liner notes

  
  

The front cover features a bold, colourful psychedelic illustration with multiple overlapping portraits of Elton John and band members in a swirling, trippy 1960s style. The back cover includes full track listing and production credits against a vibrant orange background with similar psychedelic patterns.

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SOURCES 

Discogs,

Wikipedia,

45cat.

All album artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.