Davey Johnstone has been Elton John’s guitarist for 50 years. He has also played with Alice Cooper, John Lennon, Stevie Nicks, Lenny Kravitz and countless others.
Resuming his role as musical director for the hugely successful Farewell Yellow Brick Road, he joined Elton John and the band, on the first leg of this nine date UK stadium tour at Norwich Carrow Road Stadium on Wednesday, taking them through to the 4th July 4th at Watford Vicarage Stadium, and taking in a show in Hyde Park, London on 24th June. They will then return in March 2023 for more shows in Belfast and five shows at The O2 Arena London.
Concurrent with all this, was the release of Johnstone’s solo album, Deeper Than My Roots, released through Spirit of Unicorn Records, earlier this year, and the debut of a video for the track ‘Go Easy On My Heart’, also featuring his son, Elliot.
Much of the recording for the album was done by Major Wynn at Marlon Hoffman’s Kenrose Studio in California, during the covid recess over there. The record features both Johnstone’s children and a few close friends, encompassing a wide range and crossing genres.
Elliot, the youngest Johnstone, is lead vocalist on the record, with Davey supplying one lead vocal himself. Charlie Johnstone recorded many of the basic tracks at their home in California. Charlie also supplied keyboard and background vocal parts. Jesse Johnstone played drums remotely from his home in L.A. Jesse also joined his father and eldest sibling Tam Johnstone, on writing, recording and producing the album’s two instrumentals, ‘Black Scotland’ and ‘Walt Dizney’. The artwork for the sleeve was conceived and designed by Juliet Johnstone.
Denny Seiwell, the legendary drummer from Paul McCartney & Wings helped out on three tracks, and Nigel Olsson (Elton John, Uriah Heep, Spencer Davis Group) supplied drums on ‘Melting Snow’.
Norn in Scotland, Johnstone began his career as a session musician, going onto join British folk rock group Magna Carta, going on to play on Bernie Taupin’s 1971 solo album that led to him recording and becoming Elton John’s right hand man for so many years, alongside other musical activites.
You can check out the video for Go Easy On My Heart’ here at RAMzine, while Deeper Than My Roots can be purchased physically here and digitally here.
