Sure, Elton John is awesome, and amazing, and one of the greatest musicians of all time...everyone knows that. We all know that he has great hits such as "Candle in the Wind," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Crocodile Rock," and "Your Song." Alright. Not one person on this planet can deny that those are amazing songs. However, there are far too many people out there who are not being exposed to the pure goodness of Elton's early years. How many of you are familiar with "Western Ford Gateway," "Amoreena," "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun," "Susie (Dramas)," and "Holiday Inn"? Elton John has released over 40 albums in 37 years. The first seven of these were released in his first three years of showbiz (1969-1972), and they are by far his best work. This group is dedicated to honoring the pure, raw, groovy, rockin' sounds of Elton John before the mass majority of fans and media turned him into a music-making machine and ripped the soul right out of his music. Before Elton John became Sir Elton John, he did some wonderful things. The seven albums we will focus on are:
1. Empty Sky - 1969
2. Elton John - 1970
3. Tumbleweed Connection - 1970
4. 11-17-70 - 1971
5. "Friends" Original Soundtrack - 1971
6. Madman Across the Water - 1971
7. Honky Chateau - 1972

In 1973 he released "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player," and there's a clear change in his approach to making music. I will not deny, however, that he released some more good albums, and some awesome songs. For instance, the double album"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)" held a plethora of hit singles, and "Caribou (1974)" and "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)" contained classic hits and unknown gems. However, nothing compared to the realness of his music from his earliest years.

Elton must give much of the credit of his classic tunes to the great lyrics of Bernie Taupin. Bernie teamed with Elton in 1967 by answering an ad in a newspaper for a lyricist. He was responsible for writing the lyrics on paper and giving them to Elton, who would then create the melodies for the songs at unbelievable rates. Gutiarist Davey Johnstone once said in an interview, "I've seen [Elton] write songs in the time that it's taken me to make a chicken sandwich." There's no doubt that Bernie's creative lyrical patterns gave Elton a solid working ground for producing so many good songs.

More credit must be handed to Elton's "original" backing band, which consisted of Nigel Olsson on drums and Dee Murray on bass guitar. On "Empty Sky" Nigel only played the drums in the song "Lady What's Tomorrow?" Nigel and Dee did not appear together on an Elton John album until "Tumbleweed Connection." In 1970 Elton toured as a three man band with Nigel and Dee. The trio blew audiences away with their powerful introductions and spectacular conclusions. It is my opinion that Nigel was/is the greatest drummer ever, because when I listen to him he is always in the right. By "in the right," I could mean the right state of mind or the right pocket or anything, really. All I know is that wherever he was, it was right. And Dee Murray, I think, was the greatest bass player to ever play the electric bass. If you listen to "Bad Side of the Moon" or "Take Me to the Pilot" off of the live "11-17-70," then you'll know what I mean. Dee's bass lines will make your spine feel like rubber, and make your mind feel alive. When Elton kicked Olsson and Murray out of his band in 1975, his music really went in another direction. I firmly believe that this rhythm section put Elton where he needed to be, and hugely contributed to his awesome songs. Davey Johnstone was added as guitar player for the 1971 "Madman Across the Water." Davey's guitar riffs and expertise in a number of string instruments allowed Elton's music to explore many different realms of creativity, and lifted his music off the ground for a whole knew kind of sound that made everybody happy (well, it certainly didn't make anybody sad).

So I hope you enjoy the group. Also, I hope that if you are one of the many who are not familiar with this golden age of Elton John that you go out and expand your mind. Thanks.