1970 the world was a whole lot different than it is now. Elton John with that adorable gap in his teeth was kickin ass with subdued 70s swag. A piano slapper with one of the most distinct and harmonious voices eve and along with Bernie Taupin, writer extraordinaire, Elton and bernie were a duo made in heaven creating the most amazing songs rock and roll would ever hear. A country twang from a British Boy gave the US rockers a new comrade. Tumbleweed Connection was a country rock album in the highest regard. The difference between 'southern rock' and this is simple. Taupin wrote stories and Elton sang them and it was magic. I sit here now listening to "Ballad of A Well Known Gun", and still find my foot tapping out the rhythm. That's longevity.
By 1973 gone was the meek shy twanger. Unleashing the glam boy inside jeweled and feathered with platform shoes that rivaled step stools. Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player and its follow up Goodbye Yellow Brick Road were rock station staples. There was no redneck hate for the man: women adored him and the boys accepted him. With amazing songs and hookable lyrics Elton John was the hero of every weird kid and the soundtrack to every ones summers. I can rattle off songs that need no review, they're legend "Funeral For a Friend", "Teacher I Need You, "Elderberry Wine", "Candle In The Wind", each with a uniqueness, yet all very Elton John. I can literally become choked up listening to early Elton, the stories are so clear, the emotion of his voice so pure. Nothing short of magic.
Innovative and commercial enough to actually make it, Elton evolved and blossomed in his career and we had the honor of watching it all happen. Rock and Roll and a piano suddenly became common, gone were the laborious guitar solos, John brought us synths and maracas and instruments that had no business rocking out. But they did and they were fantastic. Elton filled the speakers of our console stereo more than any other artist than The Beatles (who held first or my mom would go postal)
But the kids in my family had one thing in common we all used "Love Lies Bleeding In My Hand" as a flash mob dance number whenever it came on. Since I was the youngest I was able to get up on the dining room table and do a bad ass Jerk and sing back up. Cool to a fault even then…and I was 6. I wont go on about Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, theres no need, you already know.
By 1975 I was officially a fan. I knew my EJ and I waited for more and in that year I was given Blue Moves, Rock of the Westies (grow some funk of your own amigo) and the masterpiece Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy. The title song to a 9 year old girl was better than watching television. I can clearly recall siting in a window seat with those giant foam headphones literally blasting this song into my head. To this day it still evokes the most vivid images. The layering of instruments only added to the depth and imagery. "and all this talk of Jesus comin back to see us, mmmhmm couldn't fool us" just line after line of masterpiece. Heres an interesting Hel fact, if I call you Cowboy or Captain… you're loved. "Better of Dead", was the second blaster again a story to music why this album is not mentioned more in the vaults of infamy is beyond me. But luckily I don't give a crap about what others may say.. this is MY Elton John Album.
By 1976 the rhinestones and feathers were in full show, hair was nearing gone and the glasses were bigger than his head and I a snappy little 10 year old got to see him live on July 4, 1976 and as I was pulled along by rushing brother my heart slammed with excitement. This is the only time I saw him live after this show my musical adventures were more club and less stadium. I held this close though, the story teller. Listening to 'Bitter Fingers' is still sung by me (especially when I'm pissed off and cant write!) "I'm sick of tra la la's and la di da's".
And then it happened. He was gone.
Well he was there but pushed far back too much was happening in the world, in my life so many new sounds were shoving him up deeper in the rack. Sorry about that EJ, but we all grow up.
Some of us do it well, some of us…not so much.
By the late 70's early 80's long gone was the shy boy and replacing him was a cartoon character of self love. The dance days were just self indulgent nonsense. Gone were the stories gone was the images, replaced with "I'm Still Standing" and hair plugs and suddenly he wasn't at all the same. Like a sneering Nuevo riche snob, he was too good for whistle blowing he was buffed and polished and elbow nudging to his own private jokes. Marrying women then out of the closet then chock full of himself that the pudgy balding gap toothed boy turned into a fat fake jerk.
Not once since 1976 has he been able to give me the same rush. I hope, I wait and continuously get disappointed. I know we have to grow up, I am not the same person I was at 9, but I am also very similar in spirit to that child.
Oh the celebrity oh the fanfare, all that dining with the Royals all the awards, the adoration, the worship. Point blank when you (or your ego) are stroked enough your head exapands bigger than Eltons gut.
But hes married and a father and happy and making an ass of himself on shows such as SNL. A Good rocker gone horribly bad. A parody, its circumstances such as this that make me happy I am able to shut off time. I can pop in Captain Fantastic and say, "Hell yes Elton John was great!" and just leave it at that.
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