Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy appear on later albums as guest musicians, this was the last album with the original lineup of the Elton John Band (guitarist Davey Johnstone, bassist Dee Murray, and drummer Nigel Olsson). Murray and Olsson, who had formed John's rhythm section since 1970, were sacked prior to the recording of the follow-up album "Rock of the Westies", while Johnstone would leave in 1978. It was certified gold in May 1975, two weeks before it was even released, and was certified platinum and 3x platinum in March 1993 by the RIAA. In Canada, it also debuted at number 1 on the "RPM"
Nigel Olsson original American tours and confesses that he still gets nervous before going on stage. In 1971, Olsson produced and released his debut solo album "Nigel Olsson's Drum Orchestra and Chorus" on Uni Records; featuring Murray and Hookfoot guitarist Caleb Quaye, who had played on John's early albums. Olsson also teamed up with the Liverpool trio, The Big Three, for their reunion album "Resurrection" (1973). In May 1975, Olsson and Murray were dismissed from John's band following the release of "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy," which, upon release, entered the charts at #1. Olsson's second solo album, "Nigel Olsson",