In 1976, Bernie Taupin published a collection of his lyrics for Elton John,
accompanied by Black and White illustrations corresponding to the selected texts, and entitled
Bernie Taupin. The One Who Writes The Words. Having heard about that book at its project stage,
I produced two illustrations : one for Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters (from the Honky Château album) and another
for I Am Going To Be A Teenage Idol (released in the Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player album).
None of these works was eventually retained. The composition I Am Going To Be A Teenage Idol
was not selected by Bernie Taupin, consequently no illustration was actually needed.
As for the Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters illustration that was selected and that appears in Bernie Taupin's
published edition, it is the British actress Gillian Hills’s work. See work opposite.