Elton John´s Corporation: Groucho Marx Befriended Elton John

quinta-feira, 1 de janeiro de 2026

Groucho Marx Befriended Elton John

The period between January and April of 1972 was a significant time for Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. During this time, the two were in the midst of their creative collaboration, which would soon lead to the release of their hit album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player.

Elton and Bernie had relocated to Malibu, California, in early 1972, where they rented a mansion and immersed themselves in the local lifestyle. This period was marked by a sense of freedom and inspiration, as the environment offered a refreshing change from their previous experiences. The mansion in Malibu became a retreat, a place where they could write, reflect, and host a number of famous guests.

Among the distinguished guests were comedian Groucho Marx and filmmaker Bryan Forbes. During a dinner, Groucho Marx, known for his sharp wit, insisted on calling Elton "John Elton," reversing his stage name. Despite Elton's corrections, Groucho stuck with the nickname throughout the evening.

One particularly memorable evening involved the legendary comedian Groucho Marx, one of Elton’s lifelong idols. Groucho, known for his humor, was a guest at a dinner in the Malibu mansion. In a lighthearted moment, Groucho pointed his fingers at Elton in the shape of a pistol. Elton, embracing the joke, raised his hands and exclaimed, “Don’t shoot me, I’m only the piano player!” This playful exchange not only delighted the guests but also left a lasting impression on Elton, inspiring the title of his 1973 album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player.

Interestingly, the album cover features a poster from the 1940 Marx Brothers film Go West, paying homage to Groucho. Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player went on to become a commercial success, topping the charts in both the UK and the US. It included hit singles such as "Crocodile Rock" and "Daniel."

It was also during this period that Elton John began to experiment more with his image and music, leading to a shift in his sound that would be fully realized in Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player. Although the album itself wouldn’t be recorded until later in the year, the time spent in Malibu was crucial for the development of the ideas that would shape the record.

The creative energy of these months between January and April 1972 played a pivotal role in the evolution of Elton John's music and career during that era.

For more information, here are the full sources of this story: