“Different Is Good”: The Elton World of Matt Thomas

Among the many voices that keep Elton’s legacy alive online, Matt Thomas stands out as one of the most active members of the official fan community. His posts, insights, and enthusiasm have made him a familiar presence for Eltonites around the world. A lifelong admirer of Elton John, Matt has combined passion and curiosity through collecting — turning small pieces of music history into lasting memories. As part of our Recollecting series, we invited Matt to look back on his journey as a fan and collector — a story that begins, as most do, with a single song.

Matt, could you introduce yourself to our Eltonites? When and how did you first become an Elton John fan? 

I grew up in suburban Chicago and still live in the area with my wife and three kids. I first became fan of Elton John around the time of the “Sleeping with the Past” release. My parents had recently gotten cable TV for the first time: I discovered VH1 and saw several music videos I loved from the SWTP album and bought the cassette tape. Then that Christmas got Greatest Hits Volume One and Volume Two as gifts and it grew from there. Prior to this I really only recognized Crocodile Rock on the local Oldies station 104.3FM in Chicago. I believe it was my freshman year of High School and didn’t have much in the way of friends then and I clinged on to this and dove deep. I remember my neighbor had a record collection with a bunch of Elton John lps that I recorded onto cassette.  I had become more fascinated and really liked Tumbleweed Connection.  Some where in there I discovered East End Lights, Hercules and the 22 Row clubs and even attended several events where I made great friends. One of which I meet a girl my age that happened to be visiting from New Zealand. We became pen pals (before email and Facebook) and would write each other and share Elton stories. We are still long distance friends today. I met up with Vicki in London twice, once for her wedding, New York and am the godfather to her oldest. Yep, Elton did that!

Nice story, Matt!!! But why Elton — and not someone else? What is it about his music, image, or personality that first caught your heart?  

Why Elton? He is fucking awesome am I wrong? 😉 At the time a high school student liking a gay celebrity was not a popular idea, fortunately times have changed. That said it never bothered me and I just liked his music and his style and it was So big I could just keep learning more. Actually in my Junior year of high school I did a presentation on Elton for my Media class. I made a cassette with like 10 second snips of his music and had records all set up and a poster. The presentation went way over the 5 minute time slot and most the class had Nirvana, Metallica and Megadeth on their folders all kind of looked at me like what is up with this guy and Elton? Then one kid said Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting is a rockin’ toon and I felt some relief. I also remember some kids liking Bon Jovi’s Levon so there was progress. I remember I got some shit for having a yellow and blue ELTON East End Lights sticker on my 87 Honda Civic so I moved it to my sunroof, now a days I would have left it. I was never an avid reader, but I read Tom Stanton’s book almost all the way through and found it fascinating and from there on grew my Elton did you know trivia. I would say I’m not run of the mill, do what is popular and like what everyone else does. I liked what I liked and that has always been fine with me. For instance, I like classic cars but choose a 1968 Datsun a 1965 Checker Marathon for my classic car hobby, and I will tell you that at a car show people will pass up a high valued muscle car to see the different car. Different is good. This may sound unreasonable today as Elton is so accepted and everywhere, but it wasn’t that way for a high school kid in the early nineties.

True! So how many years have you been following Elton, and how has your fandom evolved over time? 

About 33 years I would say I’m not the greatest at dates and recalling exactly. I started with a couple tapes and records then CDs and more records and then cutting out every magazine and newspaper article, even a Philadelphia Free Cream Cheese container I changed to read Philadelphia Freedom Cream Cheese, Boy London Watch, One of Elton’s Out of The Closet shirts and a bunch of knickknacks. I have three bins of stuff like that stored away that are not on display. After High School I put an ad in the Chicago Tribune looking for an Elton John pinball machine that I learned of and ultimately ended up buying one from a guy in Chicago that manufactured the solenoids and bought the Bally’s stock to reproduce the caps. The place was amazing with over 500 machines, and he had two Captain Fantastic machines. He told me of the early back glass without all the stars. I remember he had an original poster on the wall promoting this 1976 machine which was Bally’s most produced machine, I believe 20,000 in total. I took out a $1000 loan and paid for it that way. Over the years I have moved it from apartment to apartment to house to house to house. I love it and have one cap signed by Elton from a show although I smudged his EJ.. It sits in our living room, my wife couldn’t be more thrilled…. 😉 About ten years ago I got the home version for $100 from a lady on Facebook Marketplace and learned to fix both that and my arcade version. Last year at work I saw the new Jersey Jack one come in testing before it was released and was so excited, but I do not own one. Kids and family first and while they know Dad loves Elton I don’t still cut out everything Elton I see and buy everything. That said in the last year or so though I have focused more on building my 45 and 33 collection if I see a deal pop up.

Fantastic! Have you attended many concerts? Is there any particular show or tour that stands out in your memory? 

This is terrible that I don’t know the exact number that I have attended like Jim Turano does but somewhere around 25 only. My first Elton concert was the One Tour at the United Center in Chicago. Regrettably I never saw him at Poplar Creek before it was torn down. I have to say my favorite concert was with my wife, 4-year-old daughter and sister in at a show for a private company they paid Elton to perform at. Not everyone was able to go or wanted to attend so my sister got us three free tickets. My punk rock wife that has no fear said let’s go upfront and I nervously followed and during the show not only did Elton rub my daughter on the head as she was on my wife’s shoulders, but I got my Lady Samantha 45 and pinball cap signed, oh and shh.. but I have it all on DVD. My second favorite was taking my wife, daughter and sons to see Elton at Solders Field in Chicago for the final tour, we had nosebleed seats, but I was so great because I was able to take my family to see Elton who they know is Dad’s favorite. We all wore one of my Elton T-shirts and I am fairly certain it was memorable for my kids as it was for me. My one son said he liked the song about the Indians. I have also seen Elton at The Royal Opera House in Convent Garden December 2002 with my pen pal Vicki and others (I remember we spotted Elton’s Mum Shelia and Derf in the audience and several prevalent others and I saw Elvis Costello with Diana Krall in the hall and shook his hand). During that Trip Vicki took me on a walking tour where we saw several Elton sights including the Northwood Hills Pub where Bluesology played and Eltons Childhood ad Frome Court where Your Song was written if I am correct. Also the One Night only shows met up Vicki there too and once playing tennis at the Rosemont Horizon amongst 20 or so other shows

So great!!! And have you ever met Elton, Bernie, or anyone from their team? If not, what would you like to tell them if you ever had the chance? 

I have met John Jorgenson, and he is a wonderful person. I touched Elton’s finger when he passed me back the Sharpie marker but never met him. I have an irrational fear that if I met him he might be in a sour mood and ruin all these years of icon to me. I’d love to meet Bernie, Davey, Ray and Nigel but never have. I did have a duck named Nigel though and a cat named Reginald and a goldfish Dee.

Hahaha wonderful! Every fan has a crazy story — something we’ve done for Elton that others might call a bit mad. What’s yours? 

Sometimes I actually believe that I made Elton popular again 😉, lol maybe...  It’s like people I know feel the need to send me info they see on Elton because they know how much I like Elton and honestly I kind of like that thought. But what have I done for Elton? I went to an Elton John birthday party with other Elton fans that he was not at and I am fairly certain he had no knowledge of but it was fun and I met great people. I donate to EJAF when I can. Oh I know! I became known to a smaller time radio station in Chicago as the number one Elton fan because I kept requesting songs and I truly believe they play more Elton songs because of that. Some rare ones too like Mama Can’t Buy you Love, Part Time Love and Lani Hall’s version of Come Down in Time and Nigel’s Dancing Shoes and Sedaka’s Bad Blood. I have counted 36 different ones so they play. I did that. The program director has since retired from the station, but we still joke about it and Elton still gets regular play.

(Clapping!) Which Elton songs mean the most to you, and why? Could you share your Top 5 all-time favorites? 

My Wife’s favorite is “Mona Lisa’s” so I think of her when I hear that, I gave my daughter the middle name of “Amoreena”, when my childhood dog passed away I heard “Friends” and when my cousin was tragically killed I heard “I Guess that’s why they call it the Blues” my favorite though boy I really like Roy Rogers and for some reason "Heavy Traffic" but I will go with “Country Comforts”, that may change tomorrow to something; for instance I really enjoyed hearing “The Emperor’s New Clothes”  today and every time I hear the Union album I thing this really should be a top 100 all time recording.

What kinds of items make up your collection — records, tour programs, backstage passes, stage-used items, autographs...? 

I have the Beer and Bread 45 as well as Lady Samantha in my fairly large Elton 45 collection as well as two copies of the DJM 12 pack, some fairly rare 33s, one reel to reel and a handful of 8-tracks, Cassette tapes, several hundred CDs, VHS, DVD, Books, Magazines, shirts, posters, bobble heads, the Elton doll, the singing crocodile a friends Mom bought me, Pinball machines, pictures, limited tour prints. One thing I had that I misplaced some how that I really regret was John Jorgenson’s Big Pick Tour guitar pick. I would say I have a lot of Elton stuff but then I have seen people post what they have and I have not nearly that much stuff ant that is ok.

What’s the most treasured piece in your collection — and why does it hold such meaning for you?

Probably that signed Lady Samantha 45 with the marker used although this recent release of Captain Fantastic LP from Blood Records is my current favorite thing.

Is there something rare or special you’re still hoping to find — that “holy grail” missing from your shelves? 

It would be awesome if I had a picture with Elton and could tell him what an appreciative fan I am of him and his music.

You’re one of the most active fans on the official Elton John Facebook groups — what does that community mean to you? 

I enjoy sharing, drives my wife nuts but its fun for me to share and interact with the people that appreciate it. The collection and love of it all is something I have a lot of pride in.

Finally, what does it mean to you to be an Elton John fan today? 

Love

To read Matt’s story is to see what being an Eltonite truly means: the mix of music, friendship, laughter, and memory that turns admiration into something much deeper. From the kid in suburban Chicago discovering Sleeping with the Past to the father proudly taking his family to Elton’s farewell concert, his journey mirrors that of so many of us — growing up with the songs that have soundtracked our lives. 

Before you go, Matt, I have someone here who want to send you some words, it’s Vicki here from New Zealand:

"Hi Matt, I was asked to write something about you, and I hope this is a nice surprise! I met you at an Elton John birthday convention in Chicago March 1998 along with other fans. Matt and I have stayed in contact ever since and have shared Elton concert experiences and Elton conversation over the years both living in different countries.  Matt flew into London, United Kingdom over 20 years ago for my wedding and my husband and I asked him to be Godfather to our first born over a year later. I am really looking forward to both our families coming together one day either in New Zealand or Chicago. Thanks for being such a great friend over the years Matt, twenty seven Elton John friend years and counting. Best wishes, Vicki "

Friendships like yours are a beautiful reminder of how Elton’s music connects people across oceans and continents — uniting fans in every corner of the planet. Thank you Vicki for being here.

And thank you, Matt, for reminding us that collecting is not just about objects, but about the moments and feelings they hold. Different is good — and your story proves it.

Picture of Elton John Fan Convention courtesy of Vicki Allen
Other pictures courtesy of Matt Thomas