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Radio Elton John airs Encore! Chats with Elton’s Circle and Fans, as well as Neil's In The Mix, a granular assessment of a single Elton song by Neil Barrett. Before Season 5, Encore! was named Saturday Night's Alright (for podcasting). It remains a...

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United Kingdom

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Radio Elton John airs Encore! Chats with Elton’s Circle and Fans, as well as Neil's In The Mix, a granular assessment of a single Elton song by Neil Barrett. Before Season 5, Encore! was named Saturday Night's Alright (for podcasting). It remains a talk show hosted by eltonjohn.world co-founder George Matlock. Encore! is conversations with people inspired by or who worked alongside singer-songwriter Elton John. Be sure to follow REJ.World or wherever you get your podcasts. That way, when a new episode drops, you get it first! Please also share us with your friends, and like us. Thank you, it means a lot! Enjoy 12 months of FREE episodes of Encore! from Radio Elton John on this app, or on Silver at www.rej.world/silver Or visit REJ.World to access all full episodes - and to enjoy faster access to all new episodes on Platinum. For complete catalogue, visit rej.world to subscribe to Platinum. Have a story to share? Email contact@rej.world #eltonjohn

Language:

English


Episodes
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RAY JOHNSON | ENCORE!

5/2/2026
SHOW NOTES: Recorded: 23 April 2026 Released to REJ Platinum subscribers: 25 April 2026. Released on REJ Silver n 2 May 2026. Presenter: George Matlock, Executive Producer: George Matlock Welcome to ENCORE! on REJ.World. FULL EPISODE: There is one man who scares Elton. Why? Because he's Elton's double, Ray Johnson. Able to clear security to get back stage at a Paris gig, he's appeared in loads of commercials and even the Franco-Belgian cinema series The Tuche Family. Starting out on ITV's The Lookalikes Agency, Ray has posed for photos with "Rocketman" the North Korean leader's lookalike and even worked four times with Elton - but never been lucky enough to snap a selfie! Hear this amazing story of the man who performed a Very Very Very Very good song, sung by the Muscles from Brussels actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, and appeared on BBC's Have I Got News For You. Pinner also scrambled a song in his honour, I'm Elton's Double, Honest! Read more about this episode on ⁠⁠eltonjohn.world⁠⁠ To get this show the way the guests experienced it, sign up to ⁠⁠Platinum ⁠⁠today!

Duration:00:58:30

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PREVIEW • RAY JOHNSON | ENCORE!

4/25/2026
SHOW NOTES: Recorded: 23 April 2026 Released to Platinum subscribers: 25 April 2026. Presenter: George Matlock, Executive Producer: George Matlock Welcome to ENCORE! on REJ.World. FULL EPISODE: There is one man who scares Elton. Why? Because he's Elton's double, Ray Johnson. Able to clear security to get back stage at a Paris gig, he's appeared in loads of commercials and even the Franco-Belgian cinema series The Tuche Family. Starting out on ITV's The Lookalikes Agency, Ray has posed for photos with "Rocketman" the North Korean leader's lookalike and even worked four times with Elton - but never been lucky enough to snap a selfie! Hear this amazing story of the man who performed a Very Very Very Very good song, sung by the Muscles from Brussels actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, and appeared on BBC's Have I Got News For You. Pinner also scrambled a song in his honour, I'm Elton's Double, Honest! Read more about this episode on ⁠⁠eltonjohn.world⁠⁠ To get this show the way the guests experienced it, sign up to ⁠⁠Platinum ⁠⁠today!

Duration:00:17:08

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Neil's In The Mix | Levon

4/17/2026
Neil Barrett examines the story behind one of Elton and Bernie's most eponymous songs, Levon. Programme produced for REJ.World

Duration:00:17:42

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BIRTHDAY SPECIAL: Paul Bacon & Neil Barrett | ENCORE!

4/4/2026
SHOW NOTES: Recorded: 25 March 2026 Released to Platinum subscribers: 28 March 2026. Presenter: George Matlock, Executive Producer: Hezikor Kadouri Welcome to ENCORE! on REJ.World. FULL EPISODE: As Elton John turns 79 RPM, Pinner celebrate with a special song, Elton's Birthday Parade Broadcast, and we catch up with tribute artist Paul Bacon who once performed a gig for Elton's mum's 90th birthday party! Neil Barrett also joins us for a serious look at Elton's music. And Paul debuts Serious Songs. Read more about this episode on ⁠eltonjohn.world⁠ To get this show the way the guests experienced it, sign up to ⁠Platinum ⁠today!

Duration:01:25:36

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REJ Shorts - BIRTHDAY SPECIAL: Paul Bacon & Neil Barrett | ENCORE!

3/28/2026
SHOW NOTES: Recorded: 25 March 2026 Released to Platinum subscribers: 28 March 2026. Presenter: George Matlock, Executive Producer: Hezikor Kadouri Welcome to ENCORE! on REJ.World. FULL EPISODE: As Elton John turns 79 RPM, Pinner celebrate with a special song, Elton's Birthday Parade Broadcast, and we catch up with tribute artist Paul Bacon who once performed a gig for Elton's mum's 90th birthday party! Neil Barrett also joins us for a serious look at Elton's music. And Paul debuts Serious Songs. Read more about this episode on ⁠⁠eltonjohn.world⁠⁠ To get this show the way the guests experienced it, sign up to ⁠⁠Platinum ⁠⁠today!

Duration:00:13:05

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Neil's In The Mix | Town of Plenty

3/13/2026
Neil Barrett examines whether Bernie Taupin enjoyed his creativity being examined in this expose of Town of Plenty, the opening track of 1988 album Reg Strikes Back. Programme produced for REJ.World

Duration:00:20:52

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ANDRE MIRIPOLSKY at the Oscars | ENCORE!

3/7/2026
SHOW NOTES Artist Andre Miripolsky tells George Matlock how he has teamed up with Elton John, David Furnish and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Andre explains it all in this news bulletin episode for Radio Elton John | REJ.World and eltonjohn.world This interview was conducted on 24 Janaury 2026. Don't forget to catch Andre explaining more about the painting when he was our guest in August 2025. Full free episode now available on Silver.

Duration:00:28:29

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REMEMBERING ALAN: Ben McCormick & Peter Thomas | ENCORE!

2/21/2026
SHOW NOTES: Recorded: 24 Jan 2026 Released to Platinum subscribers: 31 Jan 2026. Presenter: George Matlock, Executive Producer: George Matlock Welcome to Season 5 of the show, rebranded as ENCORE! on REJ.World. FULL EPISODE: Alan McCormick was a very popular Elton John fan who set up Wrap It Up!, the mail order service which became a lifeline for Elton fans to buy Elton music and memorabilia before the internet was even born. Along with guest Peter Thomas, Alan campaigned for more of Elton's music to be made available. Peter has claimed that a little over 50 percent has ever been released. When this show is released on Silver on 7 February 2026 it will mark a decade since we lost Alan after a short illness. Sadly, Alan never saw a lot of rare items on general release with the Jewel Box of 2019. Alan's musician son Ben McCormick joins Peter to discuss Alan's life and how the vast stock of Elton music was cleared - it took 12 months after valuations. Alan was also a personal friend of presenter George. Hear how they worked together in this special edition as Radio Elton John enters its 5th year on air! Read more about this episode on ⁠REJ.World⁠ and ⁠eltonjohn.world⁠ To get this show the way the guests experienced it, sign up to ⁠Platinum ⁠today!

Duration:00:46:51

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Neil's In The Mix | Heels Of The Wind

2/13/2026
Neil Barrett gives us a gust of Heels of the Wind, the 1981 track from album The Fox. Programme produced for REJ.World

Duration:00:15:10

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REMEMBERING ALAN: Ben McCormick & Peter Thomas | ENCORE!

1/28/2026
SHOW NOTES: Recorded: 24 Jan 2026 Released to Platinum subscribers: 31 Jan 2026. Presenter: George Matlock, Executive Producer: George Matlock Welcome to Season 5 of the show, rebranded as ENCORE! on REJ.World. Alan McCormick was a very popular Elton John fan who set up Wrap It Up!, the mail order service which became a lifeline for Elton fans to buy Elton music and memorabilia before the internet was even born. Along with guest Peter Thomas, Alan campaigned for more of Elton's music to be made available. Peter has claimed that a little over 50 percent has ever been released. When this show is released on Silver on 7 February 2026 it will mark a decade since we lost Alan after a short illness. Sadly, Alan never saw a lot of rare items on general release with the Jewel Box of 2019. Alan's musician son Ben McCormick joins Peter to discuss Alan's life and how the vast stock of Elton music was cleared - it took 12 months after valuations. Alan was also a personal friend of presenter George. Hear how they worked together in this special edition as Radio Elton John enters its 5th year on air! Read more about this episode on ⁠REJ.World⁠ and ⁠eltonjohn.world⁠ To get this show early, sign up to ⁠Platinum ⁠today!

Duration:00:08:36

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Neil's In The Mix: I Need You To Turn To

1/16/2026
For his second episode, Neil Barrett explores the meaning of I Need You To Turn To. Programme produced for REJ.World

Duration:00:10:29

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REJ.World | MALDWYN POPE & PHIL "PHLOP" GREENFIELD

12/27/2025
The holiday edition of Saturday Night’s Alright (for podcasting) is a real treat. We feature recently released EP The Gus Dudgeon Sessions 1975-2025 from one of Rocket Records’ earliest signings, Maldwyn Pope, as well as REJ.World veteran Phil “Phlop” Greenfield join George Matlock. We hear how Davey Johnstone arrived with a truck of instruments to record for Mal, how Elton mentored the “16-year-old failure”, and how Phlop fell out with John Reid but still delivered the master tape of Tommy to Eel Pie Island – wrapped in kitchen foil to avoid crude airport x-ray security detectors. Pinner also deliver a double-bill of songs fit for the season! The show is on Platinum from 24 December 2025, and free on Silver from 27 December at 1800 GMT. Merry Christmas!

Duration:00:59:30

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REJ.World | Neil's In The Mix: Burning Buildings

12/19/2025
Podcaster Neill Barrett kicks off a new series for Radio Elton John where he analyses the music and delivery of a specific Elton song. This week: Burning Buildings from Breaking Hearts (1984). Be sure to follow this show on Spotify or your favourite podcast player app. That way, when a new episode is added, you get it first! Neil says: "Thank you, it means a lot."

Duration:00:10:19

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s01e00 NITM | Neil Barrett

12/13/2025
Podcaster Neil Barrett joins George Matlock to explain the exciting changes to Silver. Login-free, and full episodes now available free on Silver from REJ.World. Also Neil explains why he has parked his own podcast to do a fresh show for Radio Elton John called Neil's In The Mix. The new show analyses a solitary song of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The first episode is released midday on 19 December 2025 and episodes will be released mid-month at Friday lunchtimes. Enjoy!

Duration:00:18:12

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REJ.World | STEVE BROWN (JACKY BROWN)

12/6/2025
Know your ABCs? Did you know that Elton John worked with two producers with the same name? Steve Brown. We speak to wife Jacky Brown about Steve who cleaned Nigel Olsson's drum kit in his own bedroom and was shown the light by Gus Dudgeon, before he went on to work on landmark tracks like Roy Wood's I Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday and produced Wham's Club Tropicana. His first production was the first single from 1980s stars ABC. Steve produced Manic Street Preachers and also worked with Dusty Springfield, whom Elton worshipped in the 1960s, as well as The Cult, Peters & Lee, The Pogues, Alison Moyet, Boomtown Rats, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy, and Sham 69. An amazing journey, thank you Jacky. Extra news: The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary - the rock classic, was recorded at Olympic studios in Barnes, south west London and produced by Steve Brown. Elton also made his demos for Elton John (the black album) at Olympic in 1969.

Duration:01:07:54

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REJ.World | REST IN PEACE

10/31/2025
Full episode 1 November is All Saint's Day. Today Radio Elton John pays tribute to those who we can never interview but who contributed so much to Elton John's creativity and success. Many were friends of broadcaster George Matlock. This is a special edition of Saturday Night's Alright (for podcasting). Others added: Dick James and Alan Aldridge.

Duration:00:10:25

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Rock of the Westies at 50 | CALEB QUAYE & KENNY PASSARELLI

10/25/2025
Full Episode On 24 October 2025, we marked 50 years since Elton John released another chart topper album, Rock of the Westies. The cover was photpgraphed at Caribou Ranch, Colorado and the album was recorded at that infamous studios too. Radio Elton John celebrates this much-loved album as we catch up with those who were there. Guitarists Caleb Quaye and Kenny Passarelli. Be sure to subscribe on ⁠REJ.World⁠ to hear the show on Platinum. Only $1.99 for ALL episodes! And please follow this show on Spotify or your favourite podcast player app. That way, when a new episode is added, you get it first! Thank you, it means a lot!

Duration:01:08:21

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REJ.World | ANDREA GRASSO & LUCA PERASI

9/26/2025
This month our guests are fan-authors Andrea Grasso and Luca Perasi. Fresh from publishing a book Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - The Making of an Epic Album Andrea and Luca tell us about some of their discoveries in the book - but how much will they reveal? There's also a chance to win the book. Check out the entire episode for Platinum subscribers. We also introduce the Radio Elton John tribute band, Pinner, latest song Elton's Biggest Fan. Be sure to subscribe on ⁠⁠REJ.World⁠⁠ to hear the show on Platinum. Only $1.99 for ALL episodes! And please follow this show on Spotify or your favourite podcast player app. That way, when a new episode is added, you get it first! Thank you, it means a lot!

Duration:00:52:53

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REJ.World | ANDRE MIRIPOLSKY

7/26/2025
This month our guest is the acclaimed artist Andre Miripolsky. Famed for creating THAT outfit, the piano key costume for Elton at the historic Central Park New York concert in 1980, Andre actually created no less than seven costumes for Elton’s 1980 World Tour. You can see some of them in the gallery on eltonjohn.world and REJ.World Andre confesses to us his three favourite Elton songs and tells us about the Elton Takes Manhattan 1980 painting he was commissioned to produce. We also announce a chance to win an enormous signed print of the masterpiece when Radio Elton John hosts a fundraiser to which you are all invited on the 45th annivesary of the 1980 concert in September. Proceeds will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation. We also introduce the Radio Elton John tribute band, Pinner, with their latest song called London Calling. Read our preview and view the gallery now: ⁠https://radioeltonjohn.world/rej-world-andre-miripolsky/⁠ Be sure to subscribe on ⁠REJ.World⁠ to hear the show on Platinum. Only $1.99 for ALL episodes! And please follow this show on Spotify or your favourite podcast player app. That way, when a new episode is added, you get it first! Thank you, it means a lot!

Duration:00:59:58

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Captain Fantastic at 50 | DAVID LARKHAM & MILES ALDRIDGE

5/30/2025
On 23 May 1975, Elton John and Bernie Taupin's autobiograhical Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy was released in the UK and USA - to become a defining hit album. It was delivered in the most creative album cover to ever grace an Elton John album by Alan Aldridge. We celebrate the half century with a 90-minutes interview with Elton's Art Director David Larkham and Alan's photographer/artist son Miles Aldridge. A very special edition available on REJ.World. Read more about this special edition and view the rare art gallery at: ⁠https://eltonjohn.world/captain-fantastic-at-50/⁠ Be sure to subscribe on ⁠⁠REJ.World⁠⁠ to hear the show on Platinum. Only $1.99 for ALL episodes! And please follow this show on Spotify or your favourite podcast player app. That way, when a new episode is added, you get it first! Thank you, it means a lot!

Duration:01:16:08