Caleb Quaye : Guitar

Caleb Quaye was one of the first musicians in EJ's solo career. Caleb produced most of Elton's early material, including the single" Lady Samantha" and other recordings in Dick James' low-budget studio. He worked there as a producer and guitarist.

He introduced EJ to the band Hookfoot, where he was guitar player and commenced working on EJ's first album, " Empty Sky ". The album was not produced by Caleb, but he was in charge of the band and his influence is unmistakable.

Along EJ's early albums, he worked with his own band Hookfoot, whose members Roger Pope / Drums, Ian Duck / Harmonica- Vocal and Dave Glover / bass, were used as session musicians on EJ albums like Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection, Friends, and Madman across the Water. Hookfoot was featured on three more rocking tracks. The songs that Paul Buckmaster had arranged were played by session musicians.

Caleb had a close relationship with Elton in the start, but that stopped at the time the EJ line-up with Davey - Dee and Nigel were launched. Caleb continued to work with Hookfoot, which reached a moderate success but ended up in '74 where the band split up. In '74 the Kiki Dee band were formed, which included Caleb and his old partner Roger Pope.

In 1975 he was again back in the EJ band, together with Roger Pope. Working with Davey, who was a bit of a technical wizard with his guitar, Caleb's role was to add a more rock and bluesy feeling. Especially on the EJ album, " Rock of the Westies ", you can hear his playing with Davey, which could have evolved to something really great, if given time. EJ's album " Blue Moves " from 1976 was the last time Caleb played with Elton. In an interview with the fan magazine " East End Lights " Caleb explained that this was the tightest and best band he had ever been playing with. Though the subsequent firing of the band came as a shock for all members.

After the break with Elton John in '76-'77, he played briefly with Hall & Oates (also with Roger Pope), but later got into drugs and his career was waylaid. In 1980 he became religious and joined a Christian sect which helped him overcome his drug problem. Beside a short argument with Elton, which nevertherless resulted in a donation in $5000 dollars to his church
from Elton himself, he had no real contact with EJ.

Rumors circulated in the late Nineties that Hookfoot would reunite, but without Dave Glover on bass. A letter from Caleb to EJ indicates that they again are in touch on a friendly basis.

There is no doubt that Caleb would be an asset in the EJ band, especially concerning his work with Davey Johnstone.