Elton John Announces 50th Anniversary Edition of Rock of the Westies
Elton John has announced a comprehensive 50th anniversary edition of his 1975 studio album, Rock of the Westies. Set for release on November 20 through UMe, the expanded package arrives following a historic run of mid-70s releases including Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.
Originally arriving in October 1975, Rock of the Westies was recorded at Caribou Ranch in Colorado and produced by longtime collaborator Gus Dudgeon. Upon its original release, the record became Elton’s sixth straight album to reach No. 1 in the United States, entering the Billboard 200 at the top spot and staying there for three weeks. It spawned classic tracks such as ‘Island Girl’ and ‘I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)’.
Inside the Expanded Reissue Formats
The upcoming anniversary release will be available across multiple formats, including 2LP, 2CD, 1LP, and digital editions. The 2LP coloured vinyl edition is pressed on Sea Blue and Electric Blue vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve. Alongside the music, physical editions include a 16-page booklet featuring new sleeve notes and archival imagery.
Crucially, the expanded editions feature previously unreleased Piano & Vocal Versions sourced directly from the original album sessions in Colorado. This includes ‘Street Kids’, which is available in its stripped-back form for the first time. Additionally, the 2017 remasters of the original album will also be made available on CD and digital for the very first time on November 20.
Full Tracklist
Here is the complete tracklisting for the 2LP and 2CD configurations:
2LP and 2CD Tracklist
- Medley: Yell Help / Wednesday Night / Ugly
- Dan Dare (Pilot Of The Future)
- Island Girl
- Grow Some Funk Of Your Own
- I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford)
- Street Kids
- Hard Luck Story
- Feed Me
- Billy Bones And The White Bird
- Medley: Yell Help / Wednesday Night / Ugly – Piano / Vocal Version
- Dan Dare (Pilot Of The Future) – Piano / Vocal Version
- Island Girl – Piano / Vocal Version
- Grow Some Funk Of Your Own – Piano / Vocal Version
- I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford) – Piano / Vocal Version
- Street Kids – Piano / Vocal Version
- Hard Luck Story – Piano / Vocal Version
- Feed Me – Piano / Vocal Version
- Billy Bones And The White Bird – Piano / Vocal Version
Reflecting on the Music
Looking back on the project decades later, Elton John described Rock of the Westies as “the most genuine rock and roll record that I’ve ever made.” He recorded the album alongside a revamped band featuring Kenny Passarelli on bass, Roger Pope on drums, James Newton Howard on keys, Caleb Quaye and Davey Johnstone on guitars, and Ray Cooper on percussion.
“I listened to the whole album again this year, stripped back to just the piano and vocals,” Elton said in a statement. “On ‘Street Kids’ there is a single, long piano riff throughout the whole song. And there’s absolutely not a single mistake on there. After all these years, I am still very proud of the quality of the musicianship on this record.”
“I had forgotten how good some of the tracks were and how good some of the piano playing was,” he added. “It just rocks! I love it! It was a fun record to make.”
Queen Drummer Roger Taylor Announces New Solo Album ‘Violence Insane In A Beautiful World’
Continue reading →Latest Posts
The Rolling Stones Are Back in the Studio, According to Courtney Pine
Def Leppard Announce 2027 North American Tour and David Bowie Cover
Art Garfunkel Postpones UK Tour Just Days Before Opening Night
Journey Drummer Deen Castronovo Hospitalized After Medical Emergency Onstage
Chicago Announces More Than 20 New Concert Dates for Early 2027
Aerosmith Announce Surprise Live Return for Hollywood Bowl Shows