What was the title of Elton John's 1969 debut studio album?

Elton John's 1969 debut studio album was Empty Sky. Released in the United Kingdom on 6 June 1969, it introduced the young pianist and singer before his international breakthrough.

The album was recorded between November 1968 and April 1969 at DJM Records' eight-track studio in London. Unlike many of John's later classic albums, it was produced by Steve Brown rather than Gus Dudgeon. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics, beginning the songwriting partnership that would define John's career.

Empty Sky was initially a British release and was not issued in the United States until January 1975, after John had become famous. That delay helps explain a common mix-up: the self-titled Elton John album is sometimes mistaken for his debut because it was his first album released in America and contained the hit “Your Song.” The early album also includes “Skyline Pigeon,” one of its best-known songs.