Elton John: ‘Honky Château’ 50th Anniversary Edition Coming 3/24; Preview/Pre-Order

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Originally released in May of 1972, Honky Château was the first No. 1 album in the United States for Sir Elton John — and the first of seven consecutive No. 1’s for Elton in the country.

Truly a landmark album that marked a major turning point in his incredible career, the record will be revisited on March 24 to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

Special edition 2-CD and 2-LP sets are on the way, promising material paying proper tribute to the record that ushered in a new era for the artist:

These special editions contain the original album, and on both vinyl and CD editions a newly created selection of outtakes from the sessions, produced from the original tapes by Matt Still, which highlight the warmth and humor of the sessions.

On CD only there are eight tracks from the album that were recorded at the Royal Festival Hall in 1972, all receiving their live debut, just a few days back in the UK after recording. Assembled with the customary care by Elton’s catalog team, the album comes as a gatefold with an eight-page booklet with rare photos, memorabilia and an essay by co-curator and music writer Daryl Easlea, featuring interviews from those who were there.

Click here to pre-order Honky Château 50th Anniversary Edition on 2-CD from our Rock Cellar Store
Click here to pre-order Honky Château 50th Anniversary Edition on 2-LP from our Rock Cellar Store

It’s this album that famously featured “Rocket Man” as its lead single, one of the many anthems that has grown to become one of Elton John’s signature songs. Here’s a live version from The Royal Festival Hall in 1972, which was shared with the announcement:

And here’s “Mellow (Session Demo)”:

The track listing for the 2-CD set:

CD 1

1. Honky Cat
2. Mellow
3. I Think I’m Going to Kill Myself
4. Susie (Dramas)
5. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
6. Salvation
7. Slave
8. Amy
9. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
10. Hercules

HONKY AT THE CHÂTEAU (SESSION DEMOS) PART ONE
11. Salvation (Session Demo)
12. Susie (Dramas) (Session Demo)
13. Rocket Man (It’s Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time) (Session Demo)
14. Mellow (Session Demo)
15. Slave – Alternate “Fast” Version (Session Demo)

CD 2

HONKY AT THE CHÂTEAU (SESSION DEMOS) PART TWO
1. Honky Cat (Session Demo)
2. I Think I’m Going To Kill Myself (Session Demo)
3. Hercules (Session Demo)
4. Slave (Session Demo)

LIVE AT THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL, LONDON, FEBRUARY 5TH 1972
5. Susie (Dramas)
6. Salvation
7. Mellow
8. Amy
9. Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters
10. Honky Cat
11. Rocket Man (It’s Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time
12. Hercules

And the 2-LP:

Side A
1. Honky Cat
2. Mellow
3. I Think I’m Going to Kill Myself
4. Susie (Dramas)
5. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)

Side B
1. Salvation
2. Slave
3. Amy
4. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
5. Hercules

LP 2

Side A
1. Salvation (Session Demo)
2. Susie (Dramas) (Session Demo)
3. Rocket Man (It’s Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time) (Session Demo)
4. Mellow (Session Demo)
5. Slave – Alternate “Fast” Version (Session Demo)

Side B
1. Honky Cat (Session Demo)
2. I Think I’m Going To Kill Myself (Session Demo)
3. Hercules (Session Demo)
4. Slave (Session Demo)

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