Photographer Allan Tannenbaum Saw Elton John Come Alive at the Disco

Elton John at Media Sound Studio for his new album, Captain Fantastic.

Elton John isn’t just a star, but a genre unto himself, and a man whose name still refracts through decades of pop history. A new book, Elton John: Icon, chronicles his legacy through photographs, each chapter narrated by one photographer who encountered him. Among them is Allan Tannenbaum, the one-time chief photographer at the SoHo Weekly News, where he had a front row seat to downtown culture during its most combustible era, slipping with his camera between CBGB and Studio 54. It was then that he first crossed paths with John and began documenting him as he whirled through New York’s glitter-soaked nightlife. In this exclusive excerpt, Tannenbaum recalls Elton in his peak ’70s form: striped suits and platform sneakers, parties at Studio 54, dancing with Ann-Margret and Rod Stewart, and meeting other icons that defined the decade, including Andy Warhol.

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From late 1973 until early 1982 I had one of the best jobs in New York City–I was the chief photographer for the SoHo Weekly News, a hip downtown paper focused mainly on the arts. My camera allowed me access to all aspects of life in the city, from politics to showbiz. For me, the most exciting subjects were the music scene and nightlife.

I’d been a rock and roll fan since I was a kid, and I went to many great rock shows in San Francisco in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the ’70s that I really immersed myself in the scene. I went to shows at CBGB and Madison Square Garden, hung out backstage with Mick Jagger and Dolly Parton, spent time with Bob Marley in his hotel, and became friends with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It was during this time that I crossed paths with the great British pop star Elton John.

Elton John promotes ‘Captain Fantastic’ in a midtown recording studio. SN 950-30

Elton John at Media Sound Studio shows off the inside jacket art for his new album, “Captain Fantastic”. SN 950-14

In March of 1975, a party was held in a New York City subway station to celebrate The Who’s rock opera, Tommy. Members of the band were there, as well as stars like Tina Turner, Ann-Margret and Elton John. Elton, who sings and plays piano for the song “Pinball Wizard” in the film, started dancing with Ann-Margret; she looked delightfully surprised as Elton, with a sly look on his face, spun her around. It’s one of my favourite party shots of the era.

Elton John dances with Ann-Margret at party for the film ‘Tommy’. SN 946-26

Elton John holds a dollar bill with his picture on it at the Mediasound Studios release party for “Captain Fantastic”, his new album. 0950-19

A few months later, a party celebrating the release of Elton’s ninth studio album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy was held at Media Sound Studios on West 57th Street. Elton looked ebullient in his striped suit and white platform sneakers. He was really having fun–autographing sleeves, showing off the album art and posing for photos. It was a fairly hectic event, but right at the end I got Elton to pose for me by the studio’s mixing board. He put his feet up, gestured at the board, and aimed a big grin into my lens. This photograph remains one of my favourite pop portraits.

It wasn’t until 1977 that I saw Elton again, this time at an event at Studio 54–my files list it as an“Elton John Party.” Though there are only a few photos from that night, I managed to capture Elton in a three-piece business suit and beret, standing with two guys who looked like record company execs. Also in that frame is Elton’s lyricist, Bernie Taupin, wearing a similarly dapper suit and conversing animatedly with Elton–I’m happy to have this photo.

Elton John relaxes at his Studio 54 party. SN 1812-1

Elton John converses with his songwriter partner Bernie Taupin at his Studio 54 party.

There was another “Elton John Party” at Studio 54 in 1978, and I was one of the small coterie of photographers allowed into the club, free to enter anytime I wanted. I saw Elton greet singer Rod Stewart and his future wife Alana and escort them to his exclusive VIP banquette at the edge of the dance floor. Elton was dressed casually in sweatpants, a Yankees cap and a long-sleeved T-shirt, clipped to which was an identification badge from The Rocket Group and Companies that said “Elton John–Piano Player.” Elton lived up to his reputation as a fun-loving guy as he danced uninhibitedly with Alana. Taking pictures of people dancing is not easy, especially when there are other photographers getting in the way, but I managed to get a number of good photos showing Elton and Alana getting into the spirit of Studio 54.

Elton John greets Rod and Alan Stewart arriving at Studio 54 for Elton’s party. SN 2206-13A

Elton John dances with Alana Stewart at the Studio 54 Elton John party. SN 2206-21A

Elton John dances with Alana Stewart at the Studio 54 Elton John party. SN 2207-20-2

Elton John dances with Alana Stewart at the Studio 54 Elton John party. SN 2207-19-2

There was another “Elton John Party” at Studio 54 in 1978, and I was one of the small coterie of photographers allowed into the club, free to enter anytime I wanted. I saw Elton greet singer Rod Stewart and his future wife Alana and escort them to his exclusive VIP banquette at the edge of the dance floor. Elton was dressed casually in sweatpants, a Yankees cap and a long-sleeved T-shirt, clipped to which was an identification badge from The Rocket Group and Companies that said “Elton John–Piano Player.” Elton lived up to his reputation as a fun-loving guy as he danced uninhibitedly with Alana. Taking pictures of people dancing is not easy, especially when there are other photographers getting in the way, but I managed to get a number of good photos showing Elton and Alana getting into the spirit of Studio 54.

Xenon was the name of a disco that opened in Times Square to compete with Studio 54. It had the requisite big dance floor and spectacular lighting, but lacked the cachet of the original. Nonetheless, there were good parties there and photos to be taken. On 12 June 1978, Xenon hosted a party for Roberta Flack. Elton John was hard to miss, in a red and white suit with a short red tie and a floppy oversize newsboy cap. He danced a little with a young guy, but spent most of the night conversing with the rockstar Peter Frampton. Then he sat at the table where Roberta was holding court with Atlantic Records president Ahmet Ertegun, and I got a few frames in black and white before Roberta left, only to be replaced by Andy Warhol. In the shots I took next, Andy is smiling broadly, as is supermodel Jerry Hall, as if they’re delighted by Elton’s colourful suit.

The week before I began writing this, I was sitting on a flight from Lisbon to New York, with another three hours in the air to go, and I decided to watch a second movie. Lo and behold, there in the listings was Rocketman. Musicals are not my favourite genre–but the performances of Elton’s songs really touched me, and I had a newfound appreciation for his talents as a pianist, singer and entertainer. I felt moved by the ballads, and exhilarated by the rocking numbers. I was unaware of his struggles with drugs and alcohol, and how he overcame them to become the musical legend he is today. I’m grateful for the experience of encountering Elton John in the 1970s, and making some memorable photographs.

Elton John, Andy Warhol, and Jerry Hall enjoying themselves at a party for Roberta Flack at Xenon in 1978. SN 2174

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