Elton John´s Diary 1968

The Illustrated Cornflakes & Classics A musical history of Elton John
by Paul Maclauchlan


Copyright 1989, 2006 Paul Maclauchlan

Permission granted to copy this information if credit is given






1968

Jan 1968
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

The Angel Tree 
This song has not been released by any artist.



Feb 1968
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

Tartan Coloured Lady 
This song has not been released by any artist.




Mar 1 1968
UK 45
Philips BF 1643 (did not chart)

I've Been Loving You (3:19) 
Here's To The Next Time (3:11) 
The first Elton John record release.




Top Pops No. 17, dated March 2 1968, contained a brief article under the headline: Problem: Who's The Star? 

Another puzzler. This ... is Elton John, whose record is called I've Been Loving You, on Phillips. But the publicity gives equal credit to the writer, Bernard Taupin, and the producer, Caleb Quaye, all experienced and highly competent pop men. come to think of it, it's about time the men behind the discs had more credit. So good for Bernard and Caleb, as well as Elton.

Apr 1968
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

And The Clock Goes Round 
I'll Stop Living When You Stop Loving Me 
Reminds Me Of You 
Trying To Hold On To A Love That's Dying 
When I Was Tealby Abbey 
None of these songs have been released by any artist.

Apr 1968
Elton John begins recording demo versions of songs for music publisher Dick James Music. This includes some Roger Cook-Roger Greenaway songs.

DICK JAMES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_James

Dick James (12 December 1920 – 1 February 1986), born Leon Isaac Vapnick in the East End of London, was a music publisher and together with his son Stephen founded the DJM record label and recording studios, as well as (with Brian Epstein) The Beatles' publisher Northern Songs.

Early days

James sang with North London dance bands in his early teens, and was a regular vocalist at the Cricklewood Palais by the age of seventeen. He joined the Henry Hall band, and made first radio broadcast in 1940. Joining the Army in 1942, after World War II he continued to sing with top post-war bands, including Geraldo's. Later still, James was also a part-time member of The Stargazers, a popular early 1950s vocal group.

He was the singer of the theme songs of The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Buccaneers, from British television in the 1950s, and was a friend and associate of renowned record producer George Martin.

Switch to publishing

James entered the music publishing business as his singing career tapered off. In 1958 he joined Sidney Bron Music as a song-plugger but decided to leave and open Dick James Music in 1961. In early 1963 he was contacted by Brian Epstein who was looking for a publisher for the second Beatles single "Please Please Me" and agreed an appointment for 11 o'clock the following morning. Having arranged a previous meeting at 10.00, Epstein left in disgust at 10.25 when the executive he was due to meet failed to appear and arrived at James's office at 10.40. Epstein apologised to the receptionist for being early and offered to wait until 11.00; nevertheless, the receptionist contacted James who promptly ushered Epstein into his office. Having heard the record and telling Epstein it was a number one James was invited by Epstein to publish and promote it. James then called Philip Jones, producer of the TV show Thank Your Lucky Stars, played the record down the phone to him and secured the band's first nationwide television appearance.[3] The pair subsequently established Northern Songs Ltd., with Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney, to publish Lennon and McCartney's original songs. (Fellow Beatles George Harrison and Ringo Starr were also signed to Northern Songs as songwriters, but did not renew their contracts in 1968). James's company, Dick James Music, administered Northern Songs.

What initially began as an amicable working relationship between the Beatles and James disintegrated by the late 1960s: the Beatles considered that James had betrayed and taken advantage of them when he sold Northern Songs in 1969 without offering the band an opportunity to buy control of the publishing company. James profited handsomely from the sale of Northern Songs, but the Beatles never again had the rights to their own songs.

During the 1960s he also handled Billy J. Kramer and Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Later days

James signed Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin as untried unknowns in 1967 after his son Stephen, who had been working with his father since 1963, found Elton John using their recording studios late at night without permission. Stephen who had started the recording studios and opened a record production company called This Productions formed DJM Records in 1969. Indeed, all of John's early releases (up to 1976) were issued on the DJM record label. The label also carried Jasper Carrott, RAH Band and John Inman.

John formed his own Rocket label in 1976, but in 1982, John was involved in a long court case with James about royalties. In June 1985, the British music magazine NME reported that John was suing James over the rights to his earlier material.

Death

James died in London of a heart attack in early 1986, at the age of 65. Dick James Music was acquired by PolyGram which was in turn acquired by Universal Music Group.

British chart hits

"Robin Hood"/"The Ballad of Davy Crockett" (1956) - number 14

"Garden of Eden" (1957) - number 18

May 7 1968
SCOTLAND CONCERT - Bluesology

Elton John's last Bluesology show.

May 1968
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

Regimental Sgt Zippo 
You'll Be Sorry To See Me Go (Elton John / Caleb Quaye) 
None of these songs have been released by any artist.





Jun 1968
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

Cry Willow Cry 
If I Asked You 
There Is Still A Little Love 
None of these songs have been released by any artist.

Jul 1968
UK 45 - Dukes Noblemen
Philips 326899

Thank You For Your Loving (Elton John and Caleb Quaye) 
aka Thank You For All Your Loving.
Aug 1968
UK 45 - Guy Darrell

According to Tim Joseph's liner notes, Guy Darrell released a cover of an Elton John and Bernie Taupin song.
Sep 1968
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

Baby I Miss You 
Smokestack Children 
The Girl On Angle Pavement 
Two Of A Kind 
None of these songs have been released by any artist.

Oct 23 1968
UK 45 - The Barron Knights
Columbia DB 8485 (UK: #35; 4 weeks)

#An Olympic Record
[Elton John: piano] 


Oct 28 1968
ENGLAND RECORDING SESSION - Aeolian Hall, BBC London Studio 2

+All Across The Havens 
+Lady Samantha 
+Skyline Pigeon 
Elton John: piano, organ, vocals; Caleb Quaye: guitar; Boots Slade: bass; Malcolm Tomlinson: drums. Produced by: Aidan Day; Engineered by: Pat Whelan & Mike Robinson

Broadcast November 3 1968 on The Stuart Henry Show

Oct 1968
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

Bonnie's Gone Away 
Going Home 
Just An Ordinary Man 
There's Still Time For Me 
None of these songs have been released by any artist.

Nov 3 1968
UK RADIO - BBC - Stuart Henry Show
Sundays 10am to noon, from Paris. $

+All Across The Havens 
+Lady Samantha 
+Skyline Pigeon 
Elton John: piano, organ, vocals; Caleb Quaye: guitar; Boots Slade: bass; Malcolm Tomlinson: drums.

Recorded October 28, 1968, Aeolian Hall, BBC London Studio 2. Produced by: Aidan Day; Engineered by: Pat Whelan & Mike Robinson

Audition panel notes (December 12): 'Male vocal in the 1968 feeling - thin, piercing voice with no emotional appeal... dreary songs... one key singer... pretentious material'





Nov 27 1968
UK RADIO - BBC - John Peel's Night Ride
Wednesday nights midnight to 1am.

+Lady What's Tomorrow 
+Val-Hala 
+Digging My Grave 
This is the only known performance / recording of this song. Ray Coleman identifies it as a November 1968 Bernie Taupin and Elton John composition, but that date may be based on this performance. 
+First Episode At Hienton 
+The Scaffold 
Elton John, solo.

Recorded November 27, 1968, BBC London Maida Vale 4 studio. Produced by: Pete Carr

The BBC performer contract says: 'sings and plays guitar'

Dec 2 1968
UK RECORDING SESSION - EMI Studio, Abbey Road The Bread And Beer Band

The Dick Barton Theme (The Devil's Gallup) 
Elton John played piano in the band. Other members: Bernie Calver (bass); Caleb Quaye (quitar), Roger Pope (drums) and two Jamaican percussionists Rolfo and Lennox.



Dec 1968
ENGLAND RECORDING SESSIONS - Dick James Studios, London

Lady Samantha 
All Across The Havens 
Recording of songs for January 17 1969 release.
Dec 1968
UK COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

Digging My Grave 
This song was performed once by Elton John, on the November 27 1968 broadcast of John Peel's Night Ride.

Late 1968
PORTUGAL EP $

I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU (Elton John) 
HERE'S TO THE NEXT TIME (Elton John) 
The Angel Tree 
Thank You For All Of Your Loving (Elton John / Caleb Quaye) 
First release of an Elton John / Bernie Taupin song.

Late 1968
UK DEMO - Eurovision Song Contest Entry

I Can't Go On Living Without You 
The tune eventually places sixth in a six song competition.

1968
UK LP - I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU
Philips label (no number)

I Get A Little Bit Lonely 
The Flowers Will Never Die 
Rock Me When I'm Gone 
Tartan Coloured Lady 
I've Been Loving You 
Sitting Doing Nothing (Elton John and Caleb Quaye) 
Sing Me No Sad Songs 
I Love You And That's All That Matters 
The Tide Will Turn For Rebecca 
A Dandelion Dies In The Wind 
Hour Glass (Tony Collacott, Jack Mowbray and Breen Leoeuf 
Baby I Miss You 
Reminds Me Of You 
When The First Tear Shows 
Early tracks. Track listing is from the 1976 Appy Records LP I Get A Little Bit Lonely.
Reports of this album are probably false. There is an unreleased album that Elton John appeared on, see the February 1969 entry for The Bread And Beer Band.

1968?
UK DEMOS / SONGS
Other songs written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin, and others, prior to the recording of Empty Sky, but with no specific dates attached. These have been mentioned in interviews, articles or are part of the packaging included with the Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy album.

Mirrors Of My Mind 
Lemonade Lake 
Sarah's Coming (Back) (Paul Raymond and Tony Murray) 
Not The Man I Used To Be 
I'll Never Let You Go 
S.O.S. 

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