John Jorgenson was born July 6, 1956 in Madison, Wisconsin. He grew up in the Redlands of California, where he attended college. He began playing the piano at age 5, the clarinet at 8, and the guitar at 12, in addition to the saxophone and bass. He was part of the band Aftermath from 1968-70. He accordingly was influenced by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Byrds, Santana and Cream. He joined up with Elton's band in 1995. Rock, jazz, country, swing, and bluegrass are his main styles. He won the Academy of Country Music's "Guitarist of the Year" title three times, in 1990, 1991 and 1992. He also won the "Band of the Year" award (1988, 1989, 1990) with his band (he was a co-founder) Desert Rose. The Desert Rose band also got him nominated for two
Guy Babylon, born in Maryland, joined up with the band in 1988. His first album with Elton was Sleeping With The Past (1989). He has a college degree in composition, which led to a move to Los Angeles in 1980 to find work. He met Davey Johnstone at a session, which introduced him to the EJ band and to become a member and co-producer of the Warpipes. Babylon was in a band called Ashton in 1986 with future bass player Bob Birch. He also owns a recording studio in North Hollywood. He has helped with the soundtrack for the movie The Doors.
Bob Birch, Elton's bass player, was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 13. Besides bass, he plays saxophone (which he picked up in his early teens) and bass guitar (started at age 8 or 9). He majored in bassoon at the University of Detroit. Bob met Guy Babylon (Elton's keyboardist) while doing session work (with Mark Ashton, Fortune, Pocket Change, Lauren Wood...). His friendship with Guy Babylon led to his work with Davey Johnstone and his band, the Warpipes. When Pino Pallodino (bassist for The One) could not tour with EJ in 1992, Davey suggested Bob take his place. Since then he has been a consistent part of the band. He has also done background vocals for Elton. During a 1995 September tour in Montreal, Birch was injured by a vehicle, but has since recovered.
John Mahon is one of the band's newer members. He joined the band in 1997. John was born in Canton, Ohio on January 23. He moved to California in the 80's, where he began a career as a percussionist. He played in many bands and for many artists, including Peter White and Dave Camp. He has been instrumental in the design of a percussion instrument called a Zendrum. He appeared in such albums as Torrid Rain (1996 Dave Camp) and Promenade 1993 Peter White).
Billy Trudel was born in California on August 8 1961. He joined Elton's band as backup vocalist for The Big Picture tour. He has been singing professionally since since he was 18. In 1979 he formed a successful LA club group, which included playing with Motley Crue. During the 80's he mostly perfomed session work, and commercials. He later joined Davey Johnstone's band Warpipes, their first album Holes In Heaven was releaed in 1991. In 1995 Billy backed Elton at the Academy Awards and at a benefit. This, plus his work with Warpipes helped lead him to his position With Elton, which began in 1997.