Age 10, showing off my sister's Red, White and Blue leather hippy vest, I also started signing all of my school papers Elton Bob.

My introduction to Elton John was by my older cousin. He spent most of his time trying to find new ways to terrorize me. He once hung me by my belt straps to a tree then hung a couple of cats next to me They jerked and screamed and clawed, fighting for air. He then grabbed my feet and swung me left and right as dead cats swung, slamming into my chest and face! Then he built a small fire and asked me if I wanted to see what would happen if GI JOE was in a real war. He hung GI JOE on a stick and held it over the fire until it melted into a strands of plastic. One day he showed a soft spot though. He invited me into his room, which I, of course, I entered with great caution. He asked me if I wanted to play some records. I didn't say anything. He put on a 45 of "Someone Saved My Life Tonight."

THE EMPTY SKY era Elton John (1969)