Regimental Sgt. Zippo is the thirty-first studio album by English musician Elton John, dubbed "The debut album that never was". Recorded during late 1967 and early 1968, in 1969 it was decided Empty Sky would be released as John's debut album, and Regimental Sgt. Zippo remained unreleased until Record Store Day of June 2021. The mono version was issued on vinyl during this period and in early July 2022, the album saw a broader release in stereo vinyl and stereo/mono CD.
Background
Regimental Sgt. Zippo was recorded between November 1967 and May 1968. For the sessions, John worked with musicians who were either his or his manager Steve Brown's associates, including guitarist Caleb Quaye and drummer Roger Pope (both members of the band Hookfoot at the time), and bassist Tony Murray (from the Troggs). The songs were recorded in a four-track studio at the offices of Dick James Music.
The project was eventually shelved in favour of what became John's debut album, Empty Sky (1969). Bernie Taupin later confirmed his and Elton John's love of The Beatles and Moody Blues, however, Dick James whose company published John and Taupin's songs didn't believe that this was the right artistic direction for them.
According to John's collaborator Bernie Taupin, the album's trippy sound was "a tip of the hat to Sgt. Pepper. It certainly proved that we were hanging on the coattails of things that were currently popular – things like 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' were in vogue at that particular point in time. I think, in a way, I was literally trying to be part of a gang."
Plastic Penny, which featured drummer Nigel Olsson, who played on Empty Sky, and by 1970 was a member of John's band, covered "Turn to Me" in 1969.
Release
Regimental Sgt. Zippo was eventually released, 53 years after its inception, on 12 June 2021 for Record Store Day, as a mono vinyl-only release limited to 7,000 copies. It was released on compact disc on 8 July 2022, featuring both mono and stereo mixes of the complete album, along with a stereo vinyl version.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted.
Side one
"When I Was Tealby Abbey" – 2:35
"And the Clock Goes Round" – 3:06
"Sitting Doing Nothing" (John, Caleb Quaye) – 2:30
"Turn to Me" – 3:16
"Angel Tree" – 2:04
"Regimental Sgt. Zippo" – 4:44
Side two
"A Dandelion Dies in the Wind" – 3:14
"You'll Be Sorry to See Me Go" (John, Quaye) – 2:34
"Nina" – 3:50
"Tartan Coloured Lady" – 4:09
"Hourglass" – 2:44
"Watching the Planes Go By" – 4:07
Personnel
Credits adapted from Elton John's website and album liner notes.
Musicians
Elton John (as Reg Dwight) – acoustic piano, electric piano, organ, harpsichord, lead and backing vocals Caleb Quaye – acoustic and electric guitars, flute, percussion, backing vocals Tony Murray – bass, backing vocals Dave Hynes – drums, backing vocals Paul Fenoulhet Orchestra – orchestra Zack Laurence – orchestral arrangements