There are generations of people who have grown up rocking to Sir Elton John and other artists of the era.

Once again Sir Elton is celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of his albums.

With the 50th anniversary of “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” gets a reissue in a variety of formats – 2LP, 2CD, and 1LP of the live album debut at Wembley Stadium in 1975 – and includes a remastered version of the original album, previous unreleased demos, and a booklet features never before seen entries from Sir Elton’s personal diary.

“Captain Fantastic” was Sir Elton’s sixth album in nine years and was a historic concept album that told the story of Sir Elton and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin’s early days together.

It was the first album in Billboard chart history to debut in the number one spot where it stayed for the next seven week.  The album was certified gold on the day of release and went on to be certified platinum four days later.

Provided with a stack of lyrics from  Taupin, Sir Elton used the music room of the liner the SS France on his way back to the U.S.  With no tape recorder on hand, he wrote and memorized the music for the entire album before reaching the recording studio.

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.”

“Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” 50th Anniversary Edition track list:
2CD:
“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”
“Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”
“One Day At A Time”
“Philadelphia Freedom”
“House Of Cards”
“Tell Me When The Whistle Blows” (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)