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