Released in October 1975, Rock of the Westies debuted at Number 1, following the Number 1 debut of his previous album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. The title is making reference to the album having been recorded in the Rocky Mountains, at Caribou Ranch in Colorado, and is a play on the phrase “west of the Rockies,” a good example of Elton John’s sense of humor. This is the first Elton John album recorded after he fired his rhythm section – Nigel Olsson on drums and Dee Murray on bass – citing a need for a change in sound. Roger Pope and Kenny Passarelli replaced Olsson and Murray on drums and bass, respectively.