The charmed year of 1975 began when Greatest Hits lodged at #1. Later that year, two albums of new material, ‘Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy’, the musical autobiography about Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and the more straightforward, rock-oriented ‘Rock of the Westies’, entered the album chart at #1, a previously unprecedented feat.

On January 4, 1975, Elton hit #1 with his remake of the Beatles’ "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds." John Lennon plays guitar on this non-LP single under the pseudonym Dr. Winston O’Boogie.
April saw "Philadelphia Freedom," hit #1, a song inspired by his friendship with tennis superstar Billie Jean King, whose pro team is the Philadelphia Freedoms. By August "Someone Saved My Life Tonight."  Had reached #4 and November saw "Island Girl," in top spot. October was pleasing for both Elton and Rocket records when “Bad Blood,” by Neil Sedaka, hit #1.

It all began in January when the single "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" was certified gold. On Jan 13 1975, Elton released the US LP Empty Sky on MCA 2130 (US: #6). It had the same track list as the UK LP, but with a different cover. This album was not previously released in the US as the vinyl versions ('Gullivers Gone' and ' Radiocord') would have dramatically affected sales.

Concerts during January 1975 included Elton performing onstage with the Average White Band and the Doobie Brothers.

On Feb 24 1975, Philadelphia Freedom was released in the US (MCA 40364 (US: #1 (2 weeks)) with 'I Saw her Standing There' (with John Lennon) as the B-Side. ' I Saw Her Standing There' was recorded at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 28 1974. released in Germany on DJM under 2043003

 On the 28th Feb 1975, the same was released in the UK (UK: #12; 9 weeks).

February 28th 1975 - UK single - Philadelphia Freedom -  DJM DJS 354

Elton and Neil Sedaka teamed up on Neil’s US LP - Overnight Success - Elton performed backing vocals on 'Bad Blood'. This was released in the US under the title: The Hungry Years, in November 1975.

During March, Elton canceled 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.

March 29th was the British film premiere of Tommy at the Leicester Square Theatre, London. Elton attends the premiere. Later this same month he was back in the studio. Elton guests on piano for Kevin Ayers and his UK LP - Sweet Deceiver. The songs were: Guru Banana, Toijoure La Voyage and Circular Letter.

Following the UK release of Ken Russell's film version of The Who's Tommy, Early April saw it released in the US. Elton is featured as the 'Pinball Wizard' and appears on screen performing the song with The Who

The US LP Tommy (Original Soundtrack Recording) was also released at this time. 'Pinball Wizard' featured Nigel: drums; Dee: bass; Davey: guitar; Elton: piano; Ray Cooper: percussion. Ray Cooper was shown as "Ray Thomas" on album credits

April 1975 saw the single "Philadelphia Freedom" certified gold.

April 1975, was a tough time for the band. Elton fired bandmates Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson. Conflicting reports in the New Musical Express newspaper suggest the split was less than amicable. Elton says: "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 phoned him 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."

May 19th 1975: The release in the US of one of Elton’s most popular works Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy It was released in the US on MCA 2142.

It became his first LP to debut at #1 on U.S. charts. The LP sold over 3 million copies in the U.S. and contained the hit "Someone Saved My Life Tonight."
The album was certified gold by the end of the month!

In the liner notes to the 1990 box set To Be Continued..., Bernie Taupin says, "...this is probably the finest album we've made."
May 23rd 1975: The UK release on DJM DJLPX1 of the album (UK: #2; 24 weeks)

May 23, 1975 - UK -Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy- DJM DJLPX1

UK Pic Disc - Captain Fantastic (and the Brown Dirt Cowboy) - DJM DJV2300

UK Cassette - Captain Fantastic (and the Brown Dirt Cowboy) - DJM ZCDJX1

UK CD - Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy - DJM 821746-2

In the 1975 autobiographical album 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy', Elton revealed his previously ambiguous personality, with Taupin's lyrics describing their early days as struggling songwriters and musicians in London. The lyrics and accompanying photo booklet are infused with a specific sense of place and time that is otherwise rare in Eltons music.

Following the UK release, Elton and the band began rehearsals, in Amsterdam, for a June 21st show at Wembley Stadium (and a tour). Following the earlier split with Dee and Nigel, the musicians at this time were 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 said of the band: "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."

The June 21st show was the Mid-Summer Music Festival, Wembley Stadium, London.

It was the debut of the new Elton John Band and the entire Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy album. It 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 was planned to be released on the 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy, on September 13th 2005. DJ, Johnnie Walker serves as master of ceremonies. Elton headlines the show. Also on the bill for this show: Beach Boys, Rufus, The Eagles, Joe Walsh and Stackridge

Jun 23rd 1975 was the US release from the album, ' Someone Saved My Life Tonight' (MCA 40421) and on Jun 28th, the UK release on DJM DJS 385.

June 28th - UK single -Someone Saved My Life Tonight- DJM DJS 385

Spin offs and memorabilia from the Captain Fantastic album are very collectable and continue to attract buyers to this day.

In July 1975 the US magazine, Time featured Elton on the cover (Don Weller cover art). Elton’s cover story was titled “Rock's Captain Fantastic”

In July of this year Elton joined the Rolling Stones, on stage, during their US concert at Hughes Stadium, Colorado. He was onstage for 'Honky Tonk Women' to open their concert, and stayed for the entire show. Mick Jagger says: "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 as "Reg from Watford".
Also during July, Elton and the band began recording songs for an upcoming album. The studio was the Caribou Ranch and they record; Island Girl, Sugar On The Floor (Kiki Dee), Grow Some Funk Of Your Own and I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford).

In August Elton was honoured at the Rock Music Awards in the US (Santa Monica)
At the first ever Rock Music Awards ceremony, Elton John is named "outstanding rock personality of the year."

Aug 25 to Oct 26 of 1975 was spent touring North America on the Rock Of The Westies tour. This included Aug 25, 26 & 27 dates at the Troubadour Club, Los Angeles where Elton’s career took off.

It was the fifth anniversary of Elton's American debut there and Elton and the band play two benefit shows (August 25 and 26) that raised 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.

In September, Elton was back in the UK at rehearsals for the band, Wings. Elton attended the 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 was a 50-foot tapestry of Elton! The setting for the party was an old western town.

September 19th was the UK 45 release of Island Girl on DJM DJS 610.
The B-Side, Sugar On The Floor was from the Rock Of The Westies album sessions.

September 19, 1975 - UK single -Island Girl- DJM DJS 610

Rock-oriented 'Rock of the Westies' entered the U.S. albums chart at #1 like 'Captain Fantastic', a previously unattained feat. However, the material was almost universally regarded as not on par with previous releases. The musical and vocal chemistry that Nigel Olsson and dee Murray brought to Elton's previous releases was seen as lacking by some, both on the album and in the concerts that supported it.

Later that month was the US release on MCA 40461 of Island Girl
Also in September was the Neil Sedaka release (in the UK and US) of ' Bad Blood', featuring Elton and recorded back in February (Polydore 258651).

In September, the single "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" was certified gold and Elton was back in the US.
October was Elton’s next concert schedule in Tucson, Las Vegas, Tampa, Salt Lake City Vancouver, Seattle and Oakland. The Oct 14th 1975 concert at Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland was recorded and a vinyl recording was released as "West Of The Rockies"

During 1975, Bernie released a book of his poetry, The One Who Writes The Words For Elton John.

'Rock Of The Westies' was certified gold by the end of the month in the US and
October 4th was the UK release of Rock Of The Westies on DJM DJLPH 464.

October 4, 1975 - UK -Rock of the Westies- DJM DJLP 464

October 1975 - UK CD- Rock of the Westies - Rocket 528163-2

October 1975 - UK Cassette-Rock of the Westies - DJM ZCDJX464

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."
On October 20th, the same album Rock of the Westies was released in the US on MCA 1263.

October 23rd 1975 and another US award. This time it was the Hollywood Walk Of Fame Award, Hollywood.
Elton was honoured 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. It was also a particularly colourful and glamorous event because that year, Cash Box Magazine, an important music trade paper 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.
two days later on October 25th, was the date of the legendary US concert at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles.

Emmylou Harris and Joe Walsh opened for Elton, 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 be held in the stadium since The Beatles in 1966. The New Musical Express reported 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.

In November, because of his long time friendship with Beatle, John Lennon, Elton became the godfather to Sean Lennon, son of John and Yoko.

Back in the UK, artists were still recording Elton and Bernie songs. During November, Ayshea released 'The Flowers Will Never Die' on DJM DJS 631

To finish the year on another high, the single "Island Girl" was certified gold in December.

Another album release during 1975 was from Japan entitled, "A very Special Collection" (Double vinyl - DJM released on FP803290)

Germany re-released Crocodile Rock under DJM 874824-7

Between 1972 and 1976, Elton John and Bernie Taupin's hit-making machine was virtually unstoppable. "Rocket Man" began a four-year streak of 16 Top 20 hits in a row; out of those 16 (including "Crocodile Rock," "Daniel," "Bennie and the Jets," "The Bitch Is Back" and "Philadelphia Freedom"), only one, the FM hit "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting," failed to reach the Top Ten. Honky Chateau began a streak of seven consecutive number one albums -- Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973), Caribou (1974), Greatest Hits (1974), Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975), Rock of the Westies (1975), that all went platinum. In 1975, Captain Fantastic became the first album to enter the American charts at number one. After its release, he revamped his band and continued to make headlines across the world. In 1976 he performed the Louder Than Concord concerts at Londons, Wembley stadium to rave reviews.

Commercially, Elton owed much of his success during the mid-1970s to his concert performances. He filled arenas and stadiums worldwide, and was arguably the hottest act in the rock world. Elton was an unlikely rock idol to begin with, as he was short of stature at 5'7" (1.70 m), chubby, and gradually losing his hair. But he made up for it with impassioned performances and over-the-top fashion sense. Also known for his glasses (he started wearing them as a youth to copy his idol Buddy Holly), his flamboyant stage wardrobe now included ostrich feathers, $5,000 spectacles that spelled his name in lights, and dressing up like the Statue of Liberty, Donald Duck, or Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart among others at his concerts made them a success and created interest for his music.

In terms of sales and lasting popularity, Elton John was the biggest pop superstar of the early '70s. Initially marketed as a singer/songwriter, John soon revealed he could craft ‘Beatlesque’ pop and pound out rockers with equal aplomb. He could dip into soul, disco and country, as well as classic pop balladry and even progressive rock. His versatility, combined with his effortless melodic skills, dynamic charisma and flamboyant stage shows made him the most popular recording artist of the '70s. Unlike many pop stars, John was able to sustain his popularity, charting a Top 40 single every single year from 1970 to 1996. During that time, he had temporary slumps in creativity and sales, as he fell out of favour with critics, had fights with his lyricist Bernie Taupin, and battled various addictions and public scandals. But through it all, Elton has remained a remarkably popular artist and many of his songs have become contemporary pop standards.

Later, we will see that Elton’s exhausting pace tapered off as the Seventies wound down when Elton and Bernie took a two-year hiatus from each other. During this time they worked with other writers. They resumed their partnership by co-writing several songs on the ‘21 at 33 ‘ album in 1981, and 1983's ‘Too Low for Zero was their first fully collaborative album of the Eighties.