Posted on 01/29/2023 11:48:21 AM PST by SamAdams76
A half century ago, a song with the silly title of "Crocodile Rock" moved into the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Elton John's first number one hit in the United States, and yes, he had a number of hits before that but this was his first U.S number one.
This song heralded the beginning of Elton's complete domination of mid 1970s FM radio that would continue until around the middle of the Bicentennial year of 1976, culminating with the number one duo hit with Kiki Dee called "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."
After that, Elton became more of a MOR (Middle of Road) artist, spawning soft rock radio friendly hits like "Little Jeannie" and "Sad Song (Say So Much)" that were not much different than what Dr Hook and Air Supply were putting out at the time.
But between 1973 and 1976, Elton was mostly a rocker who pretty much ruled the pop/rock world with his private jet, far out costumes, and various other rock and roll excesses. Documented (not so accurately) in the recent movie "Rocketman."
Elton could play the piano, that is for sure. Sure, he's a weirdo but definitely talented in the way of music. One cannot deny that.
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947, one can see why he changed his name. Can anybody imagine him being as successful if he put out "Crocodile Rock" under the name of Reginald Dwight?
Sometimes a change in name makes all the difference in show business. Consider Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. as another example.
Elton John is so much cooler than Reginald Dwight. That name change put him into the same company as Elvis Presley and Evel Knievel. A masterstroke by his publicist.
"Crocodile Rock" was actually sort of a throwaway song that Elton recorded for the "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player" sessions. It was influenced by a massive hit down in Australia by an artist named Daddy Cool called Eagle Rock
While Elton dismisses the song as a lark, I actually consider it one of Elton's finest songs. Even today, a HALF CENTURY later, it reminds me of my youth, my first dates, a carefree spirit about life in general.
Yes, the lyrics are mostly stupid and cliche: "Susie wore her dresses tight", "Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own", etc. And trust me, Elton was not into Susie with the tight dresses if you know what I mean. But it did make for a rather memorable song in early 1973.
A half century ago. Yes, we are getting old. As for Elton, he's 75 years old right now and looks like my spinster great-aunt on a bad hair day.
I don't think so.
Elton John’s backing band was probably the best band going at the time.
Elton John is not in this picture.
If it weren’t for Bernie Taupin, Reginald would still be playing Happy Hours at the Ramada Inn.
Hard for me to get past this guy’s goofyness to see the backup band...
Davey Johnstone – Guitar
Dee Murray – Bass
Nigel Olsson – Drums
Stupid song. His stuff after Goodbye Yellow Brick road was a big drop off from his early stuff.
Agree, “Madman Across The Water” was his peak IMHO.
They’ve been together from the beginning.
I’m sure Elton John is a wonderful person. However, I don’t like any of his songs. Same goes for Foreigner. Dreck.
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I did like "Waiting For A Girl Like You" - nice power ballad by them. Unknown by many, Thomas Dolby played keyboards on that one. Before he became famous for "Blinded Me With Science."
In high school band we were bugging the band teacher (my Dad, actually) to bring in some modern stuff to play. So he purchased “Crocodile Rock” and “I’ll Be There”. We were really bad and Crocodile Rock doesn’t have an easy melody to latch on to. It was cringe.
At least I’ll Be There was recognizable when we attempted it.
I did not know that Elvis Presley changed his birth name!
Whenever an Elton song comes on the radio, I change the station.
Elvis Aaron Presley.
His parents Vernon and Gladys decided enough with the lame names. We are going to name our child Elvis.
“If it weren’t for Bernie Taupin, Reginald would still be playing Happy Hours at the Ramada Inn.”
No doubt - and if it weren’t for Elton John, Bernie would still be writing poems for himself.
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