An Interview with the Interviewer

As someone who usually tells stories and shares perspectives through my own space, it felt both strange and exciting to suddenly find myself on the other side of the conversation. This time, I was the one being interviewed by Robson Vianna for Elton John’s Pics—a blog that has become an essential stop for anyone interested in Elton John’s career.

Robson Vianna is a passionate music journalist and curator, known for his insightful coverage of Elton John’s career on Elton John’s Pics. A devoted fan since 1973, Robson has dedicated decades to exploring Elton’s music, performances, and legacy. He shares digital recordings, photographs, and historical documents, often highlighting rare or little-known moments from Elton’s career. Beyond collecting and archiving, Robson is committed to preserving musical history, restoring rare interviews and live performances, and making them accessible to fans worldwide. He collaborates with other enthusiasts through various projects on platforms like YouTube and AllMyLinks, creating spaces where memories, stories, and perspectives converge.

Currently, Robson is working on “The Illustrated Elton John Timeline”, a project that provides a chronological and illustrated overview of Elton’s career, covering tours, albums, media appearances, and significant events. He also continues to animate and share iconic photographs of Elton, bringing legendary images to life and preserving the artist’s rich history for fans around the world.

His deep knowledge of Elton’s work, combined with his dedication to the fan community, has made him a respected figure among collectors, historians, and devoted fans alike.

During our conversation, Robson and I explored the Eltonjohnallsongslist blog’s journey, from its beginnings as a simple passion project to its growth into a central hub for fans worldwide. We discussed some of the most memorable and rare songs and recordings featured on the site, the stories behind their discovery, and the personal significance they hold. I reflected on the incredible fan community, sharing moments when people connected over memories, rare collectibles, and personal anecdotes related to Elton’s career. One of the most fascinating aspects we discussed was how collaborations with other fans often uncover unexpected stories and deepen connections within the community. We also touched on the joys and challenges of maintaining the blog while keeping it a trusted and engaging space for everyone involved.

That's on:

Elton John Pictures: An Essential Blog on Elton John’s Career: A Conversation with Miguel Sala of Elton John All Songs List

One of the most emotional parts of our discussion was remembering those we have lost: Bob Birch, Guy Babylon, and Paul Buckmaster—musicians and collaborators whose work and friendship left a lasting mark on Elton’s music and on my blog itself. There was a section on called “Interview with the Idols” where I had the chance to do interviews with various people related to Elton, and I have so many memories from those conversations. The last one was an unfinished interview with Paul Buckmaster—his passing shocked me deeply. He was a great person and always so kind to me. We went through his origins, his influences… Other painful and heartfelt losses were those of Bob Birch and Guy Babylon, both of whom had contributed to my blog. Birch, for instance, once told me how much he admired the work of the late Dee Murray.

Looking ahead, I shared with Robson my excitement about the Eltonjohnallsongslist blog’s future. Plans include new segments, more interaction with the Eltonites, and a stronger focus on collecting and preserving rare Elton-related items in the Re-collecting section. The blog will also continue to highlight talented musicians who have worked with Elton and Bernie, through the Interview with the Idols section, and follow the Adventures of Jack Rabbit series to explore and share unique stories. Beyond these, I have a feeling that something significant is emerging with Elton John, and while I’m taking it step by step, I’m confident that exciting surprises are yet to come. Above all, I remain deeply grateful for the connections, stories, and trust of all those who have collaborated with the blog—without them, none of this would be possible.

The conversation allowed me to revisit my blog’s milestones, consider its future direction, and appreciate the generosity and passion of the Elton fan family—how connections grow naturally, and how stories gain depth when shared. Being in conversation with Robson reminded me that interviews are never just about questions and answers—they are about connection, perspective, and the chance to see your own work through someone else’s eyes. That’s what made this moment truly special: an interview with the interviewer, and an opportunity to tell my story in a new light.

Updating The List (2011)

Hi Eltonites. Welcome to a new upate of the list. We are covering a period between September 2010 to July 2011. During this time, two albums were released (The Union and Gnomeo & Juliet), they entered to charts, and Elton's been touring with Ray Cooper, with the band, with Leon Russell (his partner on The Union album), and solo. Apart from your votes, what I really appreciate and thank, I would like to remark an iniciative BiteUrLip had developing a diary “Song Of The Day” poll, where eltonites vote for each song, every day. That could be followed on forums like Hercules or the Facebook group. This time the list is ponderating more the Eltonites' category, with the intention to make their opinion more rellevant without losing objective at all.

"Your Song" remains on the Top of the list. On the Top 10, "Candle In The Wind" jumps to Number 3 while "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" downs to Number 4. Good jumps for "Rocket Man", instead of "Daniel" and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" for "I'm Still Standing". "Tiny Dancer" is rising jumping two positions, like "Levon" does, and also "Little Jeannie" surpasses "Blessed". "Skyline Pigeon" debuts on the Top 50, jumping from 56 to 49. Other remarkable moving ups are "Madman Across The Water" (from 64 to 60), "Grey Seal" (69 to 65), "The Greatest Discovery" (71 to 66), "Captain Fantastic & Brown Dirt Cowboy (83 to 76), "Come Down In Time" (98 to 87) and "Mama Can't Buy You Love" (104 to 94).

Eltonites favourites songs are doing well on the list: from the Top 200: "Where To Now St. Peter? (127 to 112), "Blues For My Baby And Me" (131 to 115), "Chloe" (135 to 123), "Holiday Inn" (137 to 121), "Talking Old Soldiers" (163 to 131), "Amoreena" (170 to 134), "Ego" (172 to 156), "Ballad Of A Well Known-Gun" (193 to 173), "My Father's Gun" (243 to 182) or "Pinky" (202 to 184). On the Top 300, for example, we have "Razor Face" (jumping from 239 to 200), Between Seventeen & Twenty (250 to 232), Someday Out Of The Blue (280 to 213) and "Electricity" (281 to 221), "And The House Fell Down" (298 to 243) and "Hey Ahab" (304 to 277). Precisely, from "The Union", "Gone To Shiloh" (303 to 268) and Monkey Suit (325 to 313) are findin' their way on the list. Other songs to remark, could it be: "Not Me" (540 to 510), "Steal Away Child" (556 to 520), "Across The River Thames" (557 to 514), "The Drover's Ballad" (583 to 553), "Peter’s Song" (608 to 528), "How’ Tomorrow" (640 to 540).

Finally, 8 songs debuted to the list: Gnomeo's "Hello Hello" (569), "Love Builds A Garden" (655), "You Got The Love" (865), "Stagger Lee" (863), "Da Doo Ron Ron Ron" (856), "When I'm Sixty-Four" (886), "Hard Times" (902) and "All Of The Lights (819).

Also from the "AllSongsList" we could approach to different categories to see:

United States
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Bennie and the Jets
Your song
Goodbye yellow brick road
Daniel
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Crocodile rock
Rocket man
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Honky cat
Can you feel the love tonight
Candle in the wind
Circle of life
Someone saved my life tonight
Border song
Don't go breaking my heart
Something about the way you look tonight
The bitch is back
Island girl
Philadelphia freedom

Canada
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Your song
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Bennie and the Jets
Daniel
Crocodile rock
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Goodbye yellow brick road
Rocket man
Can you feel the love tonight
Candle in the wind
Honky cat
Don't go breaking my heart
Sacrifice
Someone saved my life tonight
Tiny dancer
Sad songs (Say so much)
The bitch is back
Island girl
Circle of life

United Kingdom
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Candle in the wind
Your song
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Goodbye yellow brick road
Rocket man
Daniel
Crocodile rock
Bennie and the Jets
Sacrifice
Don't go breaking my heart
I'm still standing
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Honky cat
Song for guy
Someone saved my life tonight
Blue eyes
Nikita
Sad songs (Say so much)

France
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Sacrifice
I'm still standing
Your song
Song for guy
Can you feel the love tonight
Don't go breaking my heart
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Nikita
Blue eyes
The one
Daniel
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Sad songs (Say so much)
Someone saved my life tonight
Candle in the wind
Crocodile rock
Rocket man
Something about the way you look tonight

Germany
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Candle in the wind
Sacrifice
Daniel
Crocodile rock
Don't go breaking my heart
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Nikita
Your song
Blue eyes
Rocket man
I'm still standing
Goodbye yellow brick road
Sad songs (Say so much)
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Song for guy
Something about the way you look tonight
Can you feel the love tonight
Kiss the bride

Holland
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Your song
Daniel
Sacrifice
Nikita
Song for guy
Don't go breaking my heart
Crocodile rock
Can you feel the love tonight
Blue eyes
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Candle in the wind
Circle of life
Goodbye yellow brick road
I'm still standing
Rocket man
The one
Someone saved my life tonight
Something about the way you look tonight

Italy
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Daniel
Crocodile rock
Don't go breaking my heart
The one
Your song
Candle in the wind
Rocket man
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Blue eyes
Sacrifice
Sad songs (Say so much)
Whatever gets you thru the night
Song for guy
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Nikita
I don't wanna go on with you like that
Can you feel the love tonight
Someone saved my life tonight

Switzerland
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Don't let the sun go down on me
Your song
Sacrifice
Nikita
Crocodile rock
Can you feel the love tonight
Don't go breaking my heart
I'm still standing
Blue eyes
Candle in the wind
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Daniel
Sad songs (Say so much)
Rocket man
Something about the way you look tonight
Circle of life
The one
Written in the stars
Flames of paradise

Spain
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Crocodile rock
Candle in the wind
Rocket man
Daniel
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Don't go breaking my heart
Your song
Nikita
Goodbye yellow brick road
Sacrifice
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Whatever gets you thru the night
I'm still standing
Someone saved my life tonight
Song for guy
Sad songs (Say so much)
The bitch is back
Bennie and the Jets

Norway
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Crocodile rock
Daniel
Sacrifice
Rocket man
Can you feel the love tonight
Your song
Goodbye yellow brick road
Nikita
Candle in the wind
Don't go breaking my heart
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Blue eyes
Honky cat
Something about the way you look tonight
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
I'm still standing
The one
Whatever gets you thru the night

Sweden
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Sacrifice
Can you feel the love tonight
Nikita
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Circle of life
Your song
Candle in the wind
Don't go breaking my heart
The one
Daniel
Whatever gets you thru the night
Blue eyes
Something about the way you look tonight
Song for guy
I'm still standing
Rocket man
Bennie and the Jets
Crocodile rock

Australia
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Candle in the wind
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Your song
Crocodile rock
Daniel
Don't go breaking my heart
Goodbye yellow brick road
Rocket man
Song for guy
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Bennie and the Jets
Sacrifice
Blue eyes
I'm still standing
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Nikita
Someone saved my life tonight
Philadelphia freedom
Tiny dancer

New Zealand
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Don't let the sun go down on me
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Candle in the wind
Your song
Goodbye yellow brick road
Crocodile rock
Bennie and the Jets
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Rocket man
Daniel
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Don't go breaking my heart
Someone saved my life tonight
Philadelphia freedom
Can you feel the love tonight
Sacrifice
Honky cat
I'm still standing
Song for guy
Nikita

Japan
Their Top 20 Favourite Songs
Your song
Daniel
Crocodile rock
Something about the way you look tonight
It's me that you need
Border song
Rocket man
Honky cat
Don't let the sun go down on me
Goodbye yellow brick road
Candle in the wind 1997
Candle in the wind
Skyline pigeon
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Someone saved my life tonight
The one
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Can you feel the love tonight
Levon
I guess that's why they call it the blues

Top20 Albums
The Most Present On The Albums Released (Not Only By Elton)
Your song
Rocket man
Daniel
Crocodile rock
Don't let the sun go down on me
Candle in the wind
Goodbye yellow brick road
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Bennie and the Jets
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Honky cat
Philadelphia freedom
Don't go breaking my heart
The bitch is back
Someone saved my life tonight
Border song
I'm still standing
Tiny dancer
Blue eyes
Sacrifice

Top20 Covers
The Most Covered By Other Artists
Your song
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Daniel
Candle in the wind
Rocket man
Don't go breaking my heart
Can you feel the love tonight
Goodbye yellow brick road
Don't let the sun go down on me
Crocodile rock
Blue eyes
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Bennie and the Jets
Song for guy
Circle of life
Sacrifice
Take me to the pilot
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Border song
Nikita

Top20 Live
The Most Played Live
Your song
Rocket man
Bennie and the Jets
Daniel
Don't let the sun go down on me
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Philadelphia freedom
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
Tiny dancer
Candle in the wind
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
The bitch is back
I'm still standing
Take me to the pilot
Funeral for a friend / Love lies bleeding
Crocodile rock
Levon
Someone saved my life tonight
Goodbye yellow brick road
Honky cat

Top20 Eltonites
"The All-Time Favourite By Eltonites"
Your song
Don't let the sun go down on me
Candle in the wind
Rocket man
Bennie and the Jets
Crocodile rock
Daniel
Goodbye yellow brick road
Don't go breaking my heart
Sacrifice
Someone saved my life tonight
I'm still standing
Saturday night's alright (for fighting)
I guess that's why they call it the blues
Can you feel the love tonight
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
The one
Philadelphia freedom
Tiny dancer
Nikita

April Fool's Day

When the western world used the Julian calendar, the year began on March 25th because they celebrated the start of a new year with the start of spring. That all changed in the 1500s, when we switched to the Gregorian calendar, moving the New Year to the first of January, without realizing Elton was born precisely on the 25th (just joking). However, people who insisted on celebrating the “old” New Year became known as April fools, and it became common to play jokes and tricks on them. It has been very usual to see newpapers and websites trying to trick us, but... without success?

Hercules website announced that "Elton and David have decided to chose one huge Elton fan as godparent for their son Zachary", inviting to send an application and a picture of the interested making sure to persued the parents "why you should be the one to join their inner circle in being a godparent of their son". An april fools day joke, of course. That was not the first year they tried to trick the community, always with a good sense of humour and a brilliant well researched ideas. For example, in 2009, they talked about Elton's intention to do his New Year's Eve concert in the south Pacific Ocean, at the Tonga Islands. A dreamed concert, with four parts: Elton would start with a solo set (approx. 30 minutes) before being joined on stage by percussionist Ray Cooper for the second part of the show (approx. 45 minutes), then be completed by the Elton John Band for a third set of approx. one hour and, for the last part, which would begin shortly before midnight, Billy Joel would added to their grand finale, as they did on their "Face to Face" tour. Also, "some of the big cruise ships, including the Queen Mary 2, would planned to drop anchor at the time of the show, allowing their passengers to watch the concert from the comfort of their luxury cabins with balconies or from the deck of the ships". Another, in 2004, lots of fans called a faked phone number in Las Vegas and sang their heart out to meet Elton in Las Vegas. Only what they had to do, was "identify the two Elton John songs in which you can find "Caeasars Palace". In other words, there is one song with the term 'Caesar's' in the lyrics, and one Elton John song that contains the term 'palace'".

eltonjohnworld is another of the referenced websites we have. They made go crazy old rabbit in 2003 searching for a "new duet" Elton and Mick Jagger announced to record that same year. "Upbeat", the track, it would have been composed by the two artists plus Bernie's lyrics, with proceeds going to a "yet-to-be-announced" charity. Jagger compared it as "the sounds of Caribbean clubs he visits" explained the Stone with satisfaction. Another great one happened in 2004, when "Elton would have been meeting with Calvin Klein designer to promote the new red piano masculine fragance to include citrus and forest highlights", it sounded good afterall. Don't forget Elton would "do a song for a tv advert". In 2005, they announced Elton was thinking about his next album "he could deliver a rock and roll beat album learning to play a bit of guitar", for the ocasion, he could have a teacher, Burton Dale, recommended by BB King. Also, in 2006, Elton discussed "changing his red piano up on ebay to raise founds for a pink piano", the reason was "he believes is more soothing".

www.stuartepps.co.uk, a fantastic website

It's not easy to have a complete website as Stuart has. "Record Producer/engineer, lecturer, working with new and established artists, services include, quotes for productions big or small, critique of your demo, available for music college/university lecturing" is his presentation. "The idea for this page is where artists can send their demos/masters for a writen critique". We're talking about the great Stuart Epps, a master in the music business, and for a very small fee he will listen the track and send a not less than 100 word personalised critique by emailed letter (stuscritiques@btinternet.com). That's interaction. The website also offers the opportunity to get mp3's or cd's for sale or download of "The Beatles Christmas 1968 message", or other material about The Troggs, Juliet Gough, etc. Also is remarkable the Song For Unicef, "Home again", that he and Steve Cline wrote for the profit of the "Save The Children" UNICEF Foundation, some you could buy through the website.

In the New Artist section you could find emerging talents that Stuart work on, as well as a section for Juliet Gough with her bio and news. What got me and surprised me is the "Tribal Album", a project started as a film soundtrack for Discovery Channel. It explains the story about two young american guys that stayed with an Ethiopian tribe called "The Surma", where they were to learn to stick fight. "I was asked to use the tribes chants and mix it with western style music" Stuart says, and the result is superb. You could buy it also on the website.

A selected discography is listed and also, is very recommendable the photos section, a non have been seen pictures owned by Stuart along Elton's career, completed with an article of "The Elton John Early Days", about his experiences with Elton. A must visited website for sure!!!