A couple of months before Elton's Darlington appearance, Davey Johnstone spoke with the Northern Echo about sports and music.
After spending the past 26 years living in California, the Edinburgh-born musician admits that the one thing he misses is football and so is looking forward to watching the Arsenal versus Everton game on TV.
"I'm a massive soccer fan. You get some matches in America, but not many, I don't think there ever will be," he said. "Beckham's there now, but the only difference is he's being paid a lot of money to play there.
"I've had to become a big basketball fan instead."
Davey met his employer in the early seventies when he was asked to play acoustic guitar on an album of Bernie Taupin's poetry put to music
Johnstone was then asked to play on Elton's Madman Across the Water and was invited to become a permanent member of his band in 1972.
During his career he has worked with artists such as Alice Cooper, Meatloaf, Rod Stewart and the Who.
A testament to the strength of the relationship he has with the pianist is that in more than 30 years of playing together, Johnstone has never been on the receiving end of one of Elton's infamous tantrums.
"He's simply the most talented of all the people I've ever worked with," Davey said of Elton. "He's such a great musician. He loves guitars, but he couldn't play one if you paid him."
Davey admits that the pressures of almost constant touring can take their toll, but when they go out on stage it more than makes up for it.
"We've been together so long now and have got such a big catalogue that the concerts are never the same.
"Rocket Man's always a really good song to play, as we change it every night. Sometimes it can go on for 15 to 20 minutes. I also enjoy playing a lot of the earlier stuff."
■ Tickets are still available for the Elton's show, on July 5, at Darlington Arena, priced from £40 to £80. To book tickets, call 0844-847-1731; disabled concertgoers can phone 0844-847-1655.
