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 inaugural 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.
Also, 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.
Find out how a chance encounter with Elton and John Reid changed Steve Brown’s life. As the old saying goes: If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
You can hear the full story in Gold for $1 for 30 days and Platinum on the $1.99 subscription from Saturday, 29 November 2025 at 1800 GMT, only on REJ.World
An amazing journey, thank you Jacky.

Jacky and Steve Brown

Steve and Jacky Brown

Steve and Jacky Brown in 1988, the year Elton released album Leather Jackets!

Nigel Olsson’s drum kit spring cleaned!