Davey Johnstone Interview (Edinburgh)
Steven Betts
way back in 1976 - see below)
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=415412005&20050419164311
Such a blast helping Elton rock it, man
JULIA HORTON
PLAYING at Easter Road has been a lasting ambition for generations of
Edinburgh boys. Like most, Davey Johnstone has yet to realise that goal.
But, at 53, the thrice-married father of seven is just about to.
Admittedly he won't actually be playing for his beloved Hibs. But as second
bests go, playing the stadium with Elton John when he brings his latest
world tour to Edinburgh in June isn't bad.
Davey has played guitar in Elton's band for more than 30 years, travelling
the world.
It has been a long and "ludicrous" road from Carrick Knowe to California,
where Davey now lives.
Taking a break from the current Elton tour, Davey recalls the day it all
began, at Carrick Knowe Primary School.
"I was seven and they were giving out instruments for music lessons. I have
no idea to this day why I volunteered to play violin. My hand just
automatically went up.
"I grew up in the days when kids used to play football in the streets. Like
all the other boys I really wanted to be in Hibs. I'm still a massive fan
and although nothing is planned I'm hoping some of the Hibs team will show
up when we play at Easter Road. They know Elton is a huge football fan too."
Returning to his childhood, he continues: "When I was about ten I started
playing my violin sideways like a guitar. One of my older sisters, Annie,
noticed so she got me a guitar for Christmas.
"Actually it was a terrible guitar! But I took to it and by the time I was
about 12 I was organising bands in my school [Forrester High].
"I still run into those guys when I'm back in Edinburgh. They all went on to
take up sensible jobs, but I decided from an early age that I was going to
be a musician. I was just so into it. When I was 14 I was playing in bands
whose other members were 25."
Among those he played with was a young Billy Connolly, who had yet to turn
his hand to comedy and was playing the banjo in a band called the Humblebums
in Glasgow.
"Billy was a good friend of mine. We used to jam a lot, playing in pubs," he
says.
Another of Davey's famous pals is 80s star Rick Astley - "a good friend of
mine, you might remember him? He's also football-mad".
Although the Edinburgh folk scene was lively, Davey was lured by the bright
lights of London with the promise of making records.
After a few months as a session player, the teenage Davey was introduced to
Elton's long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin, who introduced him to a then
little-known Elton.
"I thought Elton was a very shy, quiet kind of a guy, which he certainly was
and can still be," says Davey.
It is not a description that matches Elton's reputation as a diva beyond all
divas, cemented during decades of drink and drug-fuelled tantrums and
outbursts.
"Absolutely! Elton is the hugest diva on the planet. He has always wanted to
be a star and that's what he is, a giant star.
"He has a lot of different sides to him and his attitude is he is who he is
and screw everyone."
Davey recounts a more humorous tale of the star's antics on stage one night:
"He was doing all these weird jumps on his piano stool and then he ran off
the stage. It turned out one of the new Versace outfits had a needle left in
the crotch."
Davey met current wife, Kay, a Danish fashion co-ordinator, at one of Elton's
famously flamboyant parties, in Paris in 1989.
He says: "I thought she was a model. We hit it off immediately. This is my
third and final foray into marriage; we are very happy."
Davey is keen to get home as much as possible during tours.
"Elton and David Furnish are very much the entertaining couple. That's not
my deal at all. I've never wanted to be a star, so I'm lucky in that I've
been able to have a family life while Elton deals with fame."
"I have had seven children altogether. I like to get home as much as I can
to spend time with my family."
As musical director as well as guitarist, Davey has a bigger role than the
rest of the band.
He says: "I get on well with Elton and the team is very close-knit but Elton
and I don't talk every minute of every day.
"I think that's another secret to why we've been in the band so long. If me
and Kay were near Elton's home we would visit, but we are not regular
guests."
Similarly, Elton is not a frequent visitor to the Johnstones' home near LA.
But he has had a positive influence on their family life. When Elton played
Glasgow last December he postponed the gig for a week so Davey could be at
the birth of his youngest child, Elliot.
Tragically one of Davey and Kay's sons, Oliver, died in 2001 in a freak
accident while playing in a pool at the family home when he was just nine.
"You live with a tragedy like that for the rest of your life," he says.
WHILE California is firmly his family's home, Davey looks forward to
catching up with relatives in Edinburgh whenever his hectic schedule brings
him back. After playing Easter Road, the next highlight will be a fish
supper with older sister Liz McBain, who lives in West Craigs.
Musing on Elton's success, and the career it has created for him, Davey
says: "People don't realise just how talented Elton is. They think he's the
guy with the big glasses and the funny clothes. But he is a global thing. He
has written so many songs, the sheer output every year is amazing."
And so long as Elton keeps going, Davey looks set to stay with him: "It's
been going great for the past 30-odd years. It's ludicrous, but I still have
a lot of fun doing it.
"I'm still enjoying what I do. Otherwise I would go nuts."
Eight city appearances and he's still standing
ELTON JOHN has played Edinburgh eight times - but never at Easter Road,
where he is due to perform in June.
He first appeared in the city in 1972 at the Empire, but didn't return until
May 1976 when the Usher Hall played host. Fans queued overnight in sub-zero
temperatures to get their hands on tickets.
He returned in September the same year, to the Playhouse, the last time he
played in the city with a full backing band.
Fans were just as keen in 1979 when Elton played at the Odeon on South Clerk
Street - with queues starting 20 hours before tickets went on sale.
His next city appearances were at the Playhouse - in 1984 when he played two
nights, 1985 and 1989.
The last time he performed in Edinburgh was at the Castle in 2000 in front
of 8000 people.
Tickets for the Easter Road gig in June - which will be Elton's first full
concert appearance in the Capital for almost 30 years - are priced £60, £40
and £35.
Jean
Monalisas
remembers Elton's band. They are so talented!
Thanks Steve!!!
Monalisas :-)
charlene
admire his guitar expertise. I liked the part about playing the violin
sideways like a guitar. lol.
Charlene
Sam Yorty
"Steven Betts" <steve...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
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NCF_1
"Steven Betts" <steve...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
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Morph
Morph
this one more time.
Thanks, Steven!
Steven de Mena
would invite him over more? I don't think so, I think Elton kind of
seperates the band from his personal life. (Just my thought).
Steve
"Sam Yorty" <syo...@socal.rr.com> wrote in message
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Daniel Würsch
And also thanks for the Billy Elliot interview Jean which was great, too!
I also think Elton seperates Band and private life more or less. But I
remember reading on John Jorgensons website one time that all the band was
invited for dinner with Elton.
So I'm sure he lets them know how grateful he is for their work.
By the way: I MISS JOHN JORGENSON!!! Does anyone of you believe he will join
the band one day again? If he joined them again, for me the band was
definite and complete. - Ray Cooper might be guest musician from time to
time ;-)
All the best
Daniel
"Morph" <morp...@yahooNOSPAM.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
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Brian Smith
news:4267a7ac$1...@news.bluewin.ch...
> By the way: I MISS JOHN JORGENSON!!! Does anyone of you believe he will
join
> the band one day again? If he joined them again, for me the band was
> definite and complete. - Ray Cooper might be guest musician from time to
> time ;-)
I could see JJ joining the band again. He played on a couple of the PTR
session tracks and he performed on 'Turn Out The Lights...' in Atlanta.
Also, didn't Elton say he is welcome back whenever he wants? As for Ray,
that would be great but I sense he is too busy and will only ever do very
special events from now on. But adding JJ and Ray to the band (and keep John
Mahon) would add a lot to what could be done. JJ's versatility would allow
for songs to be performed that Elton and the band now might not consider
doable, and Ray would add a lot of excitement to live shows. Also, having
two percussionists wouldn't be unprecedented.
Corndogger
IslandGirl
of gifts musically and I miss seeing him!
Sharon