Elton John marks 50 years with Rock of the Westies on 20 November
Published on 10/22/2026 at 09:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Elton John will release the 50th-anniversary edition of Rock of the Westies on 20 November 2026. The expanded reissue revisits one of his studio albums with previously unreleased piano and vocal versions.
Rock of the Westies returns in expanded anniversary formats
The collection will arrive through UMe in 2LP, 2CD, 1LP and digital formats. Universal Music’s release details confirm the 20 November 2026 date and the inclusion of piano and vocal versions from the recording sessions.
The expanded 2LP and 2CD editions pair the original album with the additional performances. The 2LP package includes coloured vinyl and a booklet, while the 2CD edition carries new liner notes and archival material, as uDiscover’s release account details.
Elton John’s tenth studio album gets a piano-led revisit
Rock of the Westies is Elton John’s tenth studio album. The record was made at Caribou Ranch in Colorado with producer Gus Dudgeon, and its rock-oriented character set it apart from the more ballad-led side of his catalogue.
The anniversary edition connects that original band recording with stripped-back performances centred on voice and piano. Rather than adding a separate modern project, the set returns to the same songs and presents material from the album’s sessions in a different arrangement.
The anniversary edition adds stripped-back piano versions
The additional recordings are previously unreleased piano and vocal versions of songs from Rock of the Westies. The collection is introduced by a piano and vocal version of Street Kids, giving the track a direct connection to the format of the expanded set.
The release also places the album across physical and digital editions. That range gives the anniversary project a clear catalogue focus while preserving the original record as its centrepiece.
Elton John: what fans in Germany need to know
- The 50th-anniversary edition of Rock of the Westies will be released on 20 November 2026 through UMe.
- The confirmed formats are 2LP, 2CD, 1LP and digital, with expanded editions containing unreleased piano and vocal versions.
- The 2LP edition includes coloured vinyl and a booklet, while the 2CD edition includes new liner notes and archival material.
- The featured advance track is the piano and vocal version of Street Kids.
Elton John on social media and streaming platforms
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Elton John: frequently asked questions
When is Elton John’s Rock of the Westies reissue released?
The 50th-anniversary edition of Rock of the Westies will be released on 20 November 2026.
Which formats does Elton John’s Rock of the Westies reissue have?
The edition will appear in 2LP, 2CD, 1LP and digital formats through UMe.
What does Elton John’s Rock of the Westies anniversary edition include?
The expanded editions include previously unreleased piano and vocal versions from the album’s recording sessions, including Street Kids.
