Elton John and Tina Charles: A Studio Encounter at CBS in 1969

 Elton John and Tina Charles: A Studio Encounter at CBS in 1969

In the late 1960s, before worldwide fame and the release of landmark albums such as “Tumbleweed Connection” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” Elton John — still known by his birth name Reg Dwight — worked extensively as a studio musician in London. During this period, he took part in recording sessions for several emerging British artists, including the young singer Tina Charles.

The meeting between Elton John and Tina Charles took place at the CBS studios in London in 1969. Tina, then only 15 years old, had been discovered by producer Alan Hawkshaw, who was active with CBS’s in-house musicians. Elton John was invited to play piano on the tracks of Tina’s first single, titled “Good To Be Alive,” with the B-side “Same Old Story.”

The single was released in 1969 by CBS Records, under the catalog number CBS 4658. Elton John’s participation as session pianist is documented in studio notes and contemporary discographic records. There are no verified records of further collaborations between the two artists after this release.

The recordings of “Good To Be Alive” were made at the same time Elton John was contributing to sessions for other up-and-coming performers, such as The Hollies, The Scaffold, and Long John Baldry. His constant presence at the CBS studios between 1968 and 1969 allowed him to gain professional experience and financial stability before launching his own solo career with the album “Empty Sky.”

Tina Charles went on to pursue her solo career and achieved international success years later, particularly in 1976 with hits such as “I Love to Love” and “Dance Little Lady Dance.” In interviews and articles published during the 1970s — as seen in magazines like Record Mirror and Music Week — there are no direct statements from Tina about her early collaboration with Elton John, though musical credits confirm his piano contribution to her debut single.

This brief intersection in their careers highlights the formative period when Elton John was a versatile studio musician, providing his talents to various recording artists before becoming one of the most recognized performers of his generation.

Sources and documents:

Discogs — Tina Charles “Good To Be Alive” / “Same Old Story” (CBS 4658, 1969)
https://www.discogs.com/release/7315638-Tina-Charles-Good-To-Be-Alive

Discogs — Main page for the single “Good To Be Alive”
https://www.discogs.com/master/868197-Tina-Charles-Good-To-Be-Alive

Record Mirror — 3 April 1976
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/70s/76/Record-Mirror-1976-04-03.pdf

Record Mirror — 22 May 1976
https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/70s/76/Record-Mirror-1976-05-22.pdf

Music Week — 18 December 1976
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1976/Music-Week-1976-12-18.pdf

RPM Magazine (Canada) — 8 January 1977
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1977/RPM-1977-01-08.pdf

YouTube — Tina Charles “Good To Be Alive” (1969)

YouTube — Tina Charles “Same Old Story” (1969)



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