January 26, 1973 –
Elton John’s sixth studio album, Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player, was released on this date. It was his second straight No. 1 album in the US.
According to Elton John: The Definitive Biography, here’s how the album got its title: While in Los Angeles, Elton was introduced to the legendary comedian Groucho Marx. They hit it off, but Groucho was always giving Elton a hard time about his name, insisting that he must have it backwards and really be John Elton. After Groucho refused to lay off the name thing at a party, Elton threw up his hands and said jokingly: “Don’t shoot me, I’m just the piano player.”
The Haus of Dcaligari 