On This Day in 1972, Elton John Released His First No. 1 Album

On this day (May 19) in 1972, Elton John released his fifth studio album, Honky Chateau. It would go on to be his first No. 1 album in the United Kingdom. Additionally, the album also featured hit singles that would become memorable highlights of the iconic performer’s discography.

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Today, John is considered an icon due to his long-lasting and far-reaching influence on popular music. He has written and recorded some of the most memorable songs in modern musical history, including “Candle in the Wind,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and “Rocket Man.” However, it took time, patience, and several albums before he saw the top of the charts in his home country.

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John’s first few albums did well. His debut, Empty Sky, reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart. His sophomore release was more successful, peaking at No. 4 on the chart. His next outings, Tumbleweed Connection and Madman Across the Water, were both top 10 hits. However, it wasn’t until he released his fifth studio album, Honky Chateau, that he landed at No. 1 on the chart. It was the first of six consecutive No. 1 albums in the UK.

While he was popular in the United States, John’s early albums didn’t perform as well across the pond. He didn’t send an album to the top of the Billboard 200 until he released Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player in 1973. Interestingly, when his albums started losing steam in the UK in the late 1970s, he became more successful stateside. This trend continued, with a few exceptions, until his most recent release, Regimental Sgt. Zippo, in 2021.

Elton John Scores an International Hit with the Lead Single from Honky Chateau

Elton John co-wrote “Rocket Man” with his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin and released it in April 1972 as the lead single from Honky Chateau. The song peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving John an international hit. Later, Rocket Man would become the star’s nickname. It also inspired the name of his record label, Rocket Records, which he started in 1973.

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