Elton John Music, Elton John Bio-Discography,vinyl,1969

The Bread and Beer Band recorded an instrumental album in February 1969 (which was unreleased) at EMI Studios, Abbey Road. It was planned for release in June 1969 but was cancelled. Rumor has it that it only exists as test pressings and sample covers however, the modern CD of this album does exist (bootleg). References show that it was produced by Chris Thomas. Although sketchy and yet believable, the album cover pictured is doubtful and yet to be proved (at least to me! I doubt there was one). Tony King, the producer that founded The Bread And Beer Band, discusses this unreleased album in an interview in the December 1975 issue of the US magazine Circus Raves. The Bread and Beer Band instrumental album planned for release in June 1969 - It was cancelled.

February 1969 - The Bread and Beer Band Unreleased instrumental album - WIG1 CD

On 17th January 1969, Lady Samantha was released - This song expanded Elton's reputation beyond that of a songwriter and gained him attention as a solo artist. Recorded Dec 68/Jan 69 at the Dick James Studios, London.

17th January 1969 - Lady Samantha/All Across The Heavens. Phillips BF1739 (UK).

During January 1969, Elton auditioned for the position of lead singer with King Crimson, Robert Fripp's new group. Elton is turned down.

April 1970 and back in the studio (in session), Elton also sang backing vocals for Tom Jones' smash hit Daughter of Darkness

There is rumour of an album of Eltons early tracks and demo's, which was released around this time. The track listing is said to be the same as the 1976 Appy Records LP, 'I Get A Little Bit Lonely', but this one was a UK LP titled 'I've Been Loving You 'on the Philips label (no number) Still a mystery that one!

April 10th and 11th, 1969 saw a recording session at the Dick James Studio's, London for "It's Me That You Need". Later the same month, at the same studio, Elton recorded "Just Like Strange Rain". This single did not chart.

May 28, 1969 had Elton back in the session studio. A UK 45 was released by a band called Family Dogg where Elton played piano. Released on Bell (1055) it hit #6 and charted for 14 weeks in the UK. The song was A Way of Life

Recorded between December 1968 and April 1969 was Eltons first album Empty Sky", recorded at Dick James Studios, London. Released in the UK on June 3rd 1969, it was the begining of a line of hits for Elton. Critically acclaimed, Elton had finally arrived.

"On the scene comes a refreshing new talent, ELTON JOHN, if he has any gimmick at all it is his warmth, sincerity and total involvement in music, so listen closely to this his first album, and like me you'll be saying "I can't wait to hear the next one". - Tony Brandon

Elton:
"Making the Empty Sky album still holds the nicest memories for me, because it was the first I suppose. We used to walk back from the sessions at about four in the morning and stay at the Salvation Army headquarters in Oxford Street. Steve Brown's dad used to run the place, and he used to live above it."
"I used to sleep on the sofa. It's difficult to explain the amazement we felt as the album began to take shape, but I remember when we finished work on the title track... it just floored me. I thought it was the best thing I'd ever heard in my life."

During June 1969 Elton did a Film recording session for The Games
The film soundtrack contains "From Denver To LA" by Elton Johns (as credited on the disc!). This was never released as a single in the UK, but a single which was rush released appeared in 1970 in the US. It was quickly withdrawn by Elton's management (see 1970).
Unable to break the session bug Elton was back in the studio on October 4th 1969. The UK single by The Hollies - He Ain't Heavy (He's My Brother) (Parlophone R 5806) reached #3 and charted for 15 weeks (1988 re-issue EMI EM 74: #1). It was issued in the US on Epic (1053245) and reached number 7.

Also in October 1969, Elton also appeared on Paul MaCartney's, brothers song, "Gin Gan Goolie”, with his group The Scaffold.

During the 1960's Elton, as a heavily sought-after session player, graduated from backing vocalist and keyboard player to lead singer on a series of quickie cover versions that were recorded for Top 40 LP compilation discs. Back then, record companies figured it was cheaper to re-record than license. Almost all of the tracks on "Chartbusters Go Pop", date from late 1969 to the first half of 1970. There are 2 albums, released in the 90's, which feature the rare early recordings of Elton John.

One is Reg Dwight's Piano Goes Pop and this one, Chartbusters Go Pop Elton objected to the first release as the songs did not necessarily feature his piano playing. It re-surfaced in 1995 with the changed title. These recordings were found and remastered after being lost for more than 25 years. Reginald Dwight may not have been writing chart-busting pop hits immediately after changing his name to Elton John in the late 1960s, but he sure was recording them. This was during the time his second album was being recorded and right before his big breakthrough show at the Troubadour in L.A.

On 2/3 of the tracks his vocals are very distinct. The musicians on these albums were uncredited, in fact, some of the cover writings challenged the listener: "Can you tell the difference between these and the original sounds?" These "copycat cover" sessions continued after the release of ' Empty Sky' and even after the ' Elton John' album in 1970.
Chartbusters Go Pop was released in 1994 by RPM records (UK) and features 20 of these songs. RPM 142. The US version16 Legendary Covers contains less tracks.

The Sunday Express newspaper in the UK, recently (2005), offered a double CD giveaway of many these tracks. Available with the newspaper. The origional "cheapo" albums are still around. Quite hard to find in good condition though. A full list can be found in section "1970".

During these early days, many of Elton's songwriting efforts were recorded and released by other artists before Elton himself released them. One such example is this version of Son of your Father by Spooky Tooth. It was released in 1969 by Spooky Tooth on Island Records. It was released before Elton's own version on Tumbleweed Connection. Taken from "Tooths" album The Last Puff released in 1970. "The Last Puff " is essentially what the title is about - more like a souvenir from the dissolving Spooky Tooth to its fans. No historical importance whatsoever, so it's only natural that the band collapsed soon afterwards. Released on Island WIP 6060

Other songs released prior to Elton's own versions (not previously mentioned) include:
Aug 1968 - Roger Cooke and Guy Darrell both recorded "Skyline Pigeon"
Feb 1969 - "Turn to Me ", by Plastic Penny on the album called 'Currency' (Nigel Olsen's old band)
Feb 1969 - "Taking the Sun From My Eyes" - Recorded by Ayshea
Mar 1969 - Stewart A Brown, former Bluesology singer, released "I Cant go on Living Without You". The same song that Lulu had previous recorded for Eurovision
May 1969 - Roy Everett released "Empty Sky" as a B-side
July 1968 - "Thankyou for Lovin" - The B side of a Dukes Nobleman single
Nov 1968 - "When the First Tear Shows" by Brian Keith

Also in the early days, some of Eltons recordings and many live shows were to subject of Bootlegging. In the US, "Gulliver's Gone" was a direct vinyl copy of the 'Empty Sky' album. This album was popular at the time as Empty Sky was only available as an import and not officially released in the US until 1975. By the time the official MCA release came out, sales were affected by this version. Recorded on FIW but with no issue number. Gullivers Gone US vinyl Recording FIW pressing- US 1969. Another release was Radiocord on CBM354000 - Contraband Music.

Get Down With Little Richard- REDITA 114 (Dutch pressing) is another vinyl recording from this time. The album states that 2 of the tracks have backing by Bluesology. "Get Down With" and "Rose Marie". It was recorded at EMI's Croydon Studio from 1966 onwards. This coincides with the time Bluesology were associated with Little Richard.

1960's UK Demo's and Copyright Registration
John and Taupin were hired by Dick James to become staff songwriters at his DJM in 1968 at a salary of £10 per week.

Eltons workrate during this period in the late 60's was incredible. Not only was he writing and recording for his own albums and singles but he was doing a lot of session work on the albums mentioned previously. In the preceeding pages there are lists of the (known) sessions he completed including Indian Maiden and Holiday Inn. Holiday Inn was contriversial as Elton wrote a version unnacceptable to the hotel chain management. The lyric complained about cold french fries and poor room service along with a "motel prison".