Nigel Olsson has been playing with Elton John since 1970 and has no intention of ending that partnership.

Now 66, Nigel has provided the Rocket Man’s propulsive back-beat in more than 2,500 shows. While many bands from the seventies have disintegrated, the Elton John set-up has endured, despite suffering painful tragedies, such as the death of long term bassist Bob Birch in 2012. And Nigel believes that is due to an unbreakable friendship within the band.

Speaking to the Evening Express during Elton’s American tour, he said: “After all these years it is fantastic that we are still going strong. I don’t foresee us quitting any time soon because we still love it so much. The key is also a strong friendship because we are all so close and on the same wavelength. Unfortunately we have lost some of our family in the last few years which is devastating. They will always be in our heart which is the way it is with family.”

Another long term member of that extended ‘family’ is Edinburgh born guitarist Davey Johnstone. Now 64, DAvey first played with Elton in 1971 on the album "Madman Across The Water". He insisted the faith shown in the band by Elton has kept them going through tragedy and excess.

He said: “Tragically we have lost a couple of guys who were brilliant people and players. Guy (Babylon, keyboard player) died of a heart attack at just 55 a few years ago which was so tragic. A couple of years later we also lost Bob Birch. We have been through a lot of tragedy but you can’t just cry and stop. You have to pick yourselves up and carry on. Elton is such a strong person. He has always given me a lot of encouragement and faith as to how this can keep carrying on.”

Nigel said: “I have wanted to be in music since I was five years old so my dream has come true. We now have young kids at shows singing words to songs that were written long before they were born. That is a joy to see. Having the chance to make people happy, to put a smile on their faces at shows, makes my life worthwhile. I am blessed to be able to play these songs and have played more than 2,500 concerts with Sir Elton.”

Davey said: “We go into every concert determined to make sure the crowd are going nuts by the end of the night.”

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