A Star in His Own Write

Bernie Taupin, longtime Elton John lyricist, brings his own band, the Farm Dogs, to the Topanga Days Country Fair in the canyon Sunday.

Even though Taupin has enjoyed more success as a songwriter than the average 100 songwriters put together, he’s decided that he still has more music in him. Much more than his collaborations with John alone will satisfy.

So, Taupin formed this band about three years ago with guitarists Jim Cregan and Robin LeMesurier, drummer Tony Brock, and bassist Tad Wadhams--all music-business veterans with impressive credits with top-name entertainers.

“We’ve all tasted the good life,” Taupin said. “And now we’re all starting back at the bottom, but we really love playing this music.”

The Farm Dogs’ first album, “Last Stand in Open Country,” was released in 1996, and their second, “Immigrant Sons,” was just released in March. Taupin describes their music as “roots-oriented, acoustic rock ‘n’ roll.” They’ve been playing gigs at the Opium Den, the Mint and other clubs over the hill.

Others, however, have dismissed the band as a vanity project for Taupin, going so far as to call it a “midlife crisis band.” Taupin, who turns 48 Friday, quickly retorts that his own midlife crisis was over years ago, but he is clearly annoyed by such comments.

“Sometimes your success is your worst burden; it’s very frustrating,” Taupin said. “We’re all very serious about this band.”

Bernie Taupin and Elton John are one of the most successful songwriting teams of the 20th century. John and Taupin are not only successful, they are prolific. Elton John sold more records than any other artist during the 1970s. During that time, he and Taupin produced 19 albums, 15 of which went gold or platinum. During the ‘70s, they scored six No. 1 records. After a nearly five-year hiatus, during which John briefly retired, they returned as a team in 1981 and resumed producing hit songs. Both have composed with other partners over the years, but the majority of their work has been with each other.

In 1992, the pair signed a $39-million publishing deal with Warner/Chapell Music, the largest advance in music publishing history. The tandem produced the material for John’s album “The Big Picture,” released last year, and Taupin rewrote the words to “Candle in the Wind” for John for Princess Diana’s funeral. Taupin and John are also working on a musical version of “Captain Fantastic.” Over the last three decades, the partnership has produced more than 50 U.S. Top 40 hits, a record surpassed only by Elvis Presley.

But to say it is a partnership of equals would be incorrect. From the very first, Elton John has been the star and Taupin has been his lyricist. In that way, Taupin might be compared to Ira Gershwin. Many times when people talk about a “Gershwin tune,” they immediately think of George Gershwin, the composer. His brother and lyricist, Ira, sometimes gets short shrift.

Taupin in the past has tried to escape from behind John’s huge shadow. Taupin recorded three solo albums previously, but he claims he allowed other people to mold those projects. Now he’s finally doing the music he wants.

“The whole thing about being an artist is about stretching yourself and doing the things you want to do,” Taupin said. “It may have taken me a long time, but the time is right.”

“We [the Farm Dogs] all got together to play music that turned us on when we were young; the stuff with Elton is not really close,” Taupin said.

The music that touched Taupin as a youth was blues, folk and country. Music by artists such as Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, Muddy Waters and Marty Robbins.

Another change for Taupin has been in the songwriting process with his new bandmates. John and Taupin would always work separately, but with the Farm Dogs, he works with the other writers in the same room.

The Farm Dogs’ music has been compared to the Eagles’--acoustic guitars, tight vocal harmonies. “Immigrant Sons” was recorded at Taupin’s Roundup Valley Horse Ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley. Taupin says the record sounds as if they’re all relaxed and having fun because they were.

Bernie Taupin’s Farm Dogs, Boxing Gandhis, Cecelia Noel, the Gila Monsters and others perform at Topanga Days Country Fair, Saturday-Monday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., at Topanga Community House, 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Call (310) 455-1980 for entertainment schedule and other information. $3-$6, children under 12 free.