Elton John has rarely been at a loss for words. Neither has the UK's most durable singer/songwriter shield away from controversy, all of which makes a collection of his quotes fascinating both to compile and read.

As his career gained momentum in the early Seventies Elton bubbled over with enthusiasm for rock and pop music and the music industry in general. Like a child given free reign in a toy shop, he rarely refuses an interview, whether it was with the then influential and all important music press or less important local media, and he always had a considered but frank opinion on the state iof his career, the state of rock or whatever it was that was on his mind at the time, musical or otherwise. He became a favorite with interviewers, and while he could never be accused of manipulating the media as skilfully as Bob Dylan or David Bowie, he was always good for a quote and never afraid to speak his mind.