Russ Egan - Radio OM, PD, DJ and more...

The new Elton John/Leon Russell CD, "The Union" has arrived. It's not "old" Elton, but we'll probably never hear that again from EJ. Its an unvarnished attempt to show the world that Leon Russell is still the phenominal talent that gave us "Superstar," "A Song For You," "Lady Blue," "Back To The Island," "This Masquerade," "Tightrope" and many more. Leon's leads are unbelievable, the raw "nearly live" and totally analog production is so refreshing. Track #1, "If It Wasn't For Bad" is the best song I've heard in a long time.

The following was originally posted in 1997, but still passes the test of time...

Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I live and breathe Elton John. I used to think I was the biggest Elton John "fan" around. Today, I must admit that the word "fan" belongs to another me, another generation. Today, I wouldn't even consider many of the Elton related things I did back in the 70's, like:

Making a fur-armed jean jacket with a liquid embroidery emblem on the back that proudly stated "Elton John Superstar". My mom was terrified that I would get roughed up if I ever wore it out of the house. Click the picture (right) to see the model for my madness. Actual size is about 2 feet by 3 feet.
Painting the Captain Fantastic logo on the side of my car.
Writing a screenplay based on the album "Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player". You'd be surprised at how all of the songs relate to each other.
Jumping on stage at The (old) Spectrum in Philadelphia and sitting down next to EJ at his piano. Don't worry, I timed it so I got there in between songs. By the way, patting him on the shoulder, I cut myself on one of the sequins on his Red, White & Blue jacket. If anyone has any photos of this blessed event in July of 1976, please e-mail me.
Jumping on stage at Madison Square Garden later that same year.
Quitting my restaurant job because I couldn't get the day off to drive 600 miles to Buffalo to see Elton in concert. Turns out the car died on the way and I never made it.
Dressing up like the Pinball Wizard and putting on an impromptu "lip-synch" concert for the cafeteria at college. This included nailing 6 inches of wood to the bottom of my work boots and gluing a big ball of aluminum foil to my ski cap.
Sneaking backstage at The Bottom Line in NYC to meet Leslie Duncan. (she wrote and sang on the "Tumbleweed Connection" song "Love Song") I was rewarded for my efforts with a kiss.
Forging press credentials so I could get into the Los Angeles Aztec's (soccer) locker room after their game with Philly on a hunch that Elton (part owner at the time) would be there. He wasn't.
Naming my daughter "Chloe" after the song on "The Fox" album. My son, who was born 5 years later got off easy. His middle name is Daniel.

I don't do that stuff anymore. What I have now is more like the way I feel about my family. They've always been there with support and love and I can't imagine life without them. To me that's as good as it gets. Of course it helps to get a "perk" every once in a while too. Click on the picture (left) to see one of those perks.

So too with this web page. I thought I could come up with the ultimate Elton John Shrine, but my attempts fall pitifully short of some true works of art I found while tracking down Elton John related links. But for now, this will have to do. Rock On Reggie!