When I still lived in L.A. in 1975, I was asked to photograph Elton John’s star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Of course, I said yes!

When I got there, it was absolute madness and mayhem. Screaming fans, swarms of press, people packed in tight just to catch a glimpse of him. 

Elton arrived backstage in a golf cart. He was dressed as you’d expect: a custom-made suit full of stars and glasses to match. He wore a bowler hat, and the suit was covered with buttons. His voluminous chest hair spilled out of his giant collar.

I managed to snap a few pictures of him backstage, waiting to go out to the adoring crowds. He looked right at the camera, with an interesting sort of smirk.

And off he went to meet his fans, leaving me behind. Looking down, I spotted a gold-coloured button that had fallen off his suit. With no way to give it back to him, I took it home, and still have it to this day.