With a famous musician for his father, Quaye lands a job as office boy with Dick James Music, publisher of the Beatles’ hits. When James starts his own recording studio, Quaye becomes chief engineer. With a passion for the guitar, Quaye attracts other young musician friends, including unknown Reg Dwight – who later becomes Elton John. Quaye risks his job sneaking Dwight and others into the studio after hours to make unauthorized demos.
“The documentary will make it perfectly clear how Elton got his first record deal,” Tucker explained. “We tell the story of Caleb working late at the studio, sneaking in friends, including Cat Stevens… but one night with Elton, Caleb got busted! He was called into Dick James’ office and asked, ‘Well, what do you have to say before I fire you?’ Caleb told him, ‘There’s one project you might want to listen to…’ Caleb played his recorded demo tapes as James and his son, Stephen, listened. Caleb kept his job, and Elton was signed to his first contract.”
Reg Dwight formed his early band, Bluesology, and Quaye suggested a major change. “The name “Dwight” isn’t going to cut it,” he told his friend, so Dwight combined the first names of two band members and came up with “John Elton.” Quaye told him to switch the names around. “Elton John is better.” Tucker went on to explain, “Caleb and Elton have been friends since they were teenagers and Caleb’s faith story is well known. Caleb puts it this way: ‘His life went one way, mine went another way, but it doesn’t mean I don’t love him as a brother.’”
Quaye was at the top of his career when he teamed up with Hall & Oates, but his drug addiction was rock ‘n’ rolling him downward, an avalanche sweeping away his assets and marriage. During a party in Atlanta for his 30th birthday, the stoned guitarist was surprised by a voice, out of nowhere, speaking hope. “I’m going to change your life.” According to Tucker, God was working on him, and Quaye was saved four years later, Easter Sunday 1982, at Church on the Way near Los Angeles.
“We believe Caleb’s story is inspirational and will change lives, Tucker said. “It’s a real transformational story… a powerful rags to riches to rags to redemption story with built-in appeal for rock fans and faith-based audiences alike.” The documentary also explores dynamics within Quaye’s early family, including an interview with his 95-year old mother who overcame her own overwhelming struggles.
Tucker is writer and director of the documentary, and a nine-time Emmy award-winning television producer and editor for her “Songs of Our Success” Black history series. “This has been a journey, a process,” Tucker said, describing her work on the documentary since launching the project 11 years ago. “In the beginning we had no money, no budget, no backers… it’s been a lot of trusting and believing that God would supply what was needed. We are so grateful to our investors, providing the funds we needed at just the right time to move forward. God’s timing is everything.”
Distribution of the new film could coincide with Elton John’s worldwide farewell, The Final Tour, coming to Southern California in November 2022. “Wouldn’t it be amazing if Caleb would be able to join Elton at Dodger Stadium…Caleb was with him at the beginning – then with him at the end – God’s way of bringing this full circle,” Tucker said. “It would be the biggest thing to come down the pike in music history.”
Story by Karen Long
Kappa Studios Lead Writer
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