Dee and Nigel remain my favorite rhythm section in the Elton John Band. When Davy Johnstone was added, it was complete. They were like the Three Musketeers! I love these interviews with Ray. Thanks, John!
17/11/70 is one of my favourite live albums of Elton's and love the pure raw energy from all 3 of them at that live concert. I would of loved to have been there to see it. Elton's fingers must be like hammers to play "Sixty Years On" the way he did at that show and that is my ultimate favourite live version of the song.
Elton had many great musicians on his records over the years, but when he found ‘his band’: first with Dee and Nigel, and later with Davey and Ray, what an incredible group they were. I was always disappointed after Captain Fantastic, that Dee and Nigel were replaced. I’ve never understood why.
hear hear! The musicianship on Captain Fantastic was amazing, and to release Nigel and Dee when the were at their very top... wow. I think the drugs Elton was taking at the time made him want to 'party' more, be at the centre of attention, so he brought in a bigger band, because otherwise, to me, they were inferior musicians. They never got the feel that Dee and Nigel so effortlessly got.
ncf1 Very well said! I remember when “Rock of the Westies” came out, just a mere 4 months after the “Captain Fantastic” album topped the charts in summer ‘75. I was in disbelief. Why another album so soon? I felt Elton was misguided in his judgement, at the time. For me, Captain Fantastic was his real masterpiece, and a lot of it had to do with his band: Dee, Nigel, Davey and Ray. I’ve also noticed, starting with David Bowie’s final Ziggy show in 1973, both Alice Cooper and Marc Bolan also split up with their original bandmates in 1974. Perhaps Elton was doing the same in 1975. I wonder...
At the time, Elton was going through a lot of stuff...depression, abusing alcohol and drugs, and suicidal thoughts. I think maybe he misread his misery and though if he changed things up he would love life again. It didn't work.
This is the first thread I’ve ever seen on this subject and I couldn’t agree more with you all. Firing Dee and Nigel was a severe breaking point in Elton’s career. “Westies” was a joke and the magic never returned. I’m a bass player and Dee has always been my inspiration, more than even McCartney. Dee’s melodic sensibility was responsible for some of the best bass lines in pop music. RIP.
You guys have a good chemistry during the interviews. Your clips always leave a heart-warming feeling. Thanks so much for doing these and keep the memory alive of the important influence and contribution of people like Ray!
Brother John! I was blessed to see the Trio at the San Diego Civic Theatre in 1971. They were very powerful. When they performed Amoreena, it knocked my socks off. I remember at the end of the show they performed some new music from the upcoming Madman album and something happened to Nigel and they carried him offstage. Dee and Elton left and then Elton came back and told the audience that everything was okay. He proceeded to play a Jerry Lee Lewis tune or 2 for an encore. But you could see that he was visibly shaken. I never found out what happened. But was happy to know that everything was okay. Thank you for a great interview. Have a great Wednesday! God bless.
You were indeed blessed to witness the trio. Fist time I saw EJ in 1976, he had the new band. Aside from Davey, the band sucked. Lucky, I saw the 1986 tour and saw the original band minus Ray. All was complete when I saw EJ in Oct 2019. What a monster band.
The thing about that trio in the early years. If you listen to 17-11-70 they are on fire. Nigel has a vigour that you never here again. Dee actually uses his bass like a electric guitar. It's amazing the range he gets out of it. They more than make up for the absence of guitars.
Dee and Nigel remain my favorite rhythm section in the Elton John Band. When Davy Johnstone was added, it was complete. They were like the Three Musketeers!
I love these interviews with Ray. Thanks, John!
Thanks so much William.
17/11/70 is one of my favourite live albums of Elton's and love the pure raw energy from all 3 of them at that live concert. I would of loved to have been there to see it. Elton's fingers must be like hammers to play "Sixty Years On" the way he did at that show and that is my ultimate favourite live version of the song.
Well said Lee. Thanks for watching.
@@RockHistoryMusic Your welcome and I am loving this series with Ray and am finding it well interesting. He's a GREAT! guy too...
Elton had many great musicians on his records over the years, but when he found ‘his band’: first with Dee and Nigel, and later with Davey and Ray, what an incredible group they were. I was always disappointed after Captain Fantastic, that Dee and Nigel were replaced. I’ve never understood why.
hear hear! The musicianship on Captain Fantastic was amazing, and to release Nigel and Dee when the were at their very top... wow. I think the drugs Elton was taking at the time made him want to 'party' more, be at the centre of attention, so he brought in a bigger band, because otherwise, to me, they were inferior musicians. They never got the feel that Dee and Nigel so effortlessly got.
ncf1 Very well said! I remember when “Rock of the Westies” came out, just a mere 4 months after the “Captain Fantastic” album topped the charts in summer ‘75. I was in disbelief. Why another album so soon? I felt Elton was misguided in his judgement, at the time. For me, Captain Fantastic was his real masterpiece, and a lot of it had to do with his band: Dee, Nigel, Davey and Ray. I’ve also noticed, starting with David Bowie’s final Ziggy show in 1973, both Alice Cooper and Marc Bolan also split up with their original bandmates in 1974. Perhaps Elton was doing the same in 1975. I wonder...
At the time, Elton was going through a lot of stuff...depression, abusing alcohol and drugs, and suicidal thoughts. I think maybe he misread his misery and though if he changed things up he would love life again. It didn't work.
This is the first thread I’ve ever seen on this subject and I couldn’t agree more with you all. Firing Dee and Nigel was a severe breaking point in Elton’s career. “Westies” was a joke and the magic never returned. I’m a bass player and Dee has always been my inspiration, more than even McCartney. Dee’s melodic sensibility was responsible for some of the best bass lines in pop music. RIP.
You guys have a good chemistry during the interviews. Your clips always leave a heart-warming feeling. Thanks so much for doing these and keep the memory alive of the important influence and contribution of people like Ray!
Thanks so much. We really appreciate the kind words and the support...John
Brother John! I was blessed to see the Trio at the San Diego Civic Theatre in 1971. They were very powerful. When they performed Amoreena, it knocked my socks off. I remember at the end of the show they performed some new music from the upcoming Madman album and something happened to Nigel and they carried him offstage. Dee and Elton left and then Elton came back and told the audience that everything was okay. He proceeded to play a Jerry Lee Lewis tune or 2 for an encore. But you could see that he was visibly shaken. I never found out what happened. But was happy to know that everything was okay. Thank you for a great interview. Have a great Wednesday! God bless.
Hey, brother! Always happy to read your comments. Now that sounds like the ultimate Elton experience!
You were indeed blessed to witness the trio. Fist time I saw EJ in 1976, he had the new band. Aside from Davey, the band sucked. Lucky, I saw the 1986 tour and saw the original band minus Ray. All was complete when I saw EJ in Oct 2019. What a monster band.
Love the interview with Ray. He seems like the sweetest guy.
Thanks Greg. He is truly a classy man. Thanks for watching.
@@RockHistoryMusic he kinda reminds me of Bowie with that haircut and glasses
The thing about that trio in the early years. If you listen to 17-11-70 they are on fire. Nigel has a vigour that you never here again. Dee actually uses his bass like a electric guitar. It's amazing the range he gets out of it. They more than make up for the absence of guitars.
This Ray Williams series of talks is riveting.
Thanks so much for watching.
Great interview as always, John. Many thanks for digging deep on some really great historical detail.
Thanks Martin. Ray is really one of the great ones.
Would be nice if there was more of this which went further into the trio, but lovely interview nonetheless
Elton John, Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray, Davey Johnstone. Only The Beatles were a better band.