What was Elton John's first #1 album in the U.S.?

"Honky Chateau" marked Elton John's breakthrough to the top of the American album charts in the summer of 1972. The album climbed to number one and stayed there for five consecutive weeks, spending nearly half a year in the top ten. What made this album special wasn't just its commercial success but how it came together. Elton finally got to record an entire album with his touring band, including guitarist Davey Johnstone, bassist Dee Murray, and drummer Nigel Olsson. They laid down the tracks at an actual 18th-century French castle called Château d'Hérouville, about 25 miles north of Paris, completing the recording in just five days during January 1972. The relaxed atmosphere and band chemistry produced two major hits including "Rocket Man," which reached number six, and "Honky Cat," which peaked at number eight. This album launched an incredible streak of seven consecutive chart-topping albums for Elton, transforming him from a promising singer-songwriter into one of the biggest pop stars of the 1970s.