Davey Johnstone
The Scottish guitarist who became a cornerstone of Elton John's sound.
Davey Johnstone is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his long-time collaboration with Elton John as a member of the Elton John Band. Born David William Logan Johnstone on 6 May 1951 in Edinburgh, he took violin lessons at primary school from age seven, playing it "sideways like a guitar" by age 10. After a sister bought him a guitar for Christmas, he was organizing bands at Forrester High School by age 12, having already decided to become a musician. His first album credit came in 1968 with Noel Murphy on Another Round, and by 1969 he was a regular session musician.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- David William Logan Johnstone
- Born
- 6 May 1951
- Birthplace
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Instrument
- Guitar, vocals
- Genre
- Rock, folk
- Occupation
- Musician, songwriter
- Years active
- 1968–present
- Label
- Vertigo
- Rocket
- Artful Balance Records
Lore & Background
Johnstone's path to Elton John began when he caught producer Gus Dudgeon's attention during his stint with the acoustic folk group Magna Carta, which he joined in 1970 after guitarist Lyell Tranter left. Johnstone recorded several albums with them, including Seasons (1970) and Songs from Wasties Orchard (1971) — the latter named after the street where he lived in Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire. Dudgeon asked Johnstone to play on Bernie Taupin's 1971 solo album, leading to a meeting with Elton John and Johnstone playing on Madman Across the Water (1971). He was then invited to join the Elton John Band as a full member, replacing the previous lineup of just John, bassist Dee Murray, and drummer Nigel Olsson. His debut as a full-time member was 1972's Honky Chateau, where he played electric and acoustic guitars, slide guitar, banjo, and mandolin, and sang backing vocals alongside Murray and Olsson. On 1 October 2019, Johnstone performed his 3,000th show with Elton John at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan during the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. On 25 June 2023, he performed with Elton John at the Glastonbury Festival, billed as John's last live UK performance.
Reader's Guide
Davey Johnstone's role in the Elton John Band is that of guitarist and vocalist, a position he has held since joining as a full member in 1972. His primary contributions include playing electric and acoustic guitars, slide guitar, banjo, and mandolin, as well as singing backing vocals. He has been a constant presence on Elton John albums from Honky Chateau (1972) through Wonderful Crazy Night (2016), and has rarely missed a tour since the 1982 "Jump Up" tour. Beyond Elton John, Johnstone has collaborated extensively, including playing on Stevie Nicks' Bella Donna (1981) and 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault (2014), Alice Cooper's From the Inside (1978) and Flush the Fashion (1980), and Joan Armatrading's Whatever's for Us (1972). He also worked with Bob Seger, Meat Loaf, and many others during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Johnstone lives in Los Angeles with his wife; the couple have seven children.
More in Band Members & Collaborators
Elsewhere in Elton John
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced