Sometimes it seems like time just flies by…has it really been 50 years since Sir Elton John released his triple platinum album “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy”.

His ninth album in six years, it was a concept album that told the story of Elton (Captain Fantastic) and Bernie Taupin (the Brwon Dirt Cowboy) and their early days in the music business.  The album debuted at the number one spot on the Billboard album chart and stayed there for seven weeks.

The album is being expanded for the 50th anniversary and will be available as a single LP, a double LP, and a double CD with an October 24 release.  All formats include a booklet that includes never-before seen photos and journal entries from sire Elton.

The 50th anniversary “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” is available for pre-order.

Speaking on the album Sir Elton said, “’Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy’ was the first album I’d ever made that was autobiographical, and it was the first time we’d gone into the studio with all the songs already written. We rehearsed it as a band, then went in and cut it more or less live. The band were at their absolute peak and you can hear it on the record. I think it’s the best thing we ever did. The songs were strong, Bernie’s lyrics were brilliant, and the atmosphere at Caribou was perfect. Seeing it go to Number One faster than anything I’d ever released felt like vindication, like the culmination of everything Bernie and I had fought for back in those bedsits in London.”

Bernie Taupin added, “of all our recorded output Captain Fantastic has a very special place in my heart. Obviously it was emotionally rewarding as it chronicled a very special time in our lives. I’m not by nature one to wallow in nostalgia but hearing this album once again 50 years on reminds me of how very deep our bond of friendship and creativity ran.”

The anniversary package includes the remastered original album, previously unreleased songs, live performances, and the 28 page booklet.

The single LP release is the live version of the album of the Midsummer Music Live at Wembley in 1975 which has never before been released on vinyl.

The track listing for the 50th anniversary “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy”:
“Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy”
“Tower Of Babel”
“Bitter Fingers”
“Tell Me When The Whistle Blows”
“Someone Saved My Life Tonight”
“(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket”
“Better Off Dead”
“Writing”
“We All Fall In Love Sometimes”
“Curtains”
L”ucy In The Sky With Diamonds”
“One Day At A Time”
“Philadelphia Freedom”
“House Of Cards
“Tell Me When The Whistle Blows” (Session Demo)
“Captain Fantastic” Take 1 (Session Demo)
“Writing” (Session Demo)
“We All Fall In Love Sometimes” (Session Demo)
“Captain Fantastic” Take 2 (Session Demo)
“Bitter Fingers” (Session Demo)
“Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy” (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
“Bitter Fingers” (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
“Tell Me When The Whistle Blows” (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
“Someone Saved My Life Tonight” (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
“(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket “(Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
“Better Off Dead “(Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
“We All Fall In Love Sometimes / Curtains” (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)