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"
Bernie Taupin lyrics for 10 songs (and an 11th completed non-album track "Across the River Thames") for John's 2006 album "The Captain & The Kid" (sequel to "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy") and appeared on the cover with him for the first time marking their 40th anniversary of working together. ("Across the River Thames" was issued as an Internet-only download as a bonus with certain editions of "The Captain & the Kid".) On 25 March 2007, Taupin made a surprise appearance at John's 60th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden, briefly discussing their 40-year songwriting partnership. Of Taupin's importance to