Elton John
In 1967, both John and Taupin answered an advertisement in New Musical Express placed by Liberty Records seeking songwriters. When A&R man Ray Williams handed Taupin’s lyrics to John, an extraordinary partnership was born that continues to this day.
Elton John
Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Reginald Kenneth Dwight |
| Born | March 25, 1947 |
| Birthplace | Pinner, Middlesex, England |
| Genres | Rock, pop, glam rock, soft rock, blue-eyed soul |
| Occupation | Singer, pianist, composer, songwriter |
| Years Active | 1962–present |
| Labels | Philips, DJM, MCA, Geffen, Rocket, Island, Mercury, Interscope |
| Website | eltonjohn.com |
Legendary Partnership with Bernie Taupin
How They Met
In 1967, both John and Taupin answered an advertisement in New Musical Express placed by Liberty Records seeking songwriters. When A&R man Ray Williams handed Taupin’s lyrics to John, an extraordinary partnership was born that continues to this day.
Collaboration Method
Taupin writes lyrics first, then John composes music to fit the words. This unique method has produced some of popular music’s most enduring songs across six decades.
Discography Overview
Studio Albums
- 30+ studio albums released
- 3,000+ concerts performed over 50+ years
- 300+ million records sold worldwide
Number One Albums (US)
- Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player (1973)
- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
- Caribou (1974)
- Elton John’s Greatest Hits (1974)
- Rock of the Westies (1975)
- Blue Moves (1976)
- A Single Man (1978)
- Too Low for Zero (1983)
- The Lion King soundtrack (1994)
Iconic Songs
- “Your Song” (1970) – First major hit
- “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)” (1972)
- “Tiny Dancer” (1972)
- “Daniel” (1973)
- “Crocodile Rock” (1973) – First US #1
- “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (1973)
- “Bennie and the Jets” (1974)
- “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (1974)
- “Philadelphia Freedom” (1975)
- “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” (1975)
- “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with Kiki Dee (1976)
- “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” (1976)
- “I’m Still Standing” (1983)
- “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” (1983)
- “Nikita” (1985)
- “Sacrifice” (1989) – First solo UK #1
- “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (1994)
- “Something About the Way You Look Tonight”/”Candle in the Wind 1997” (1997)
EGOT Status
Elton John is one of the rare EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony):
- Academy Awards (Oscars): 2 wins
- Best Original Song: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King (1995)
-
Best Original Song: “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman (2020)
-
Grammy Awards: 5 wins from 34 nominations
- Best Pop Performance by a Duo/Group: “That’s What Friends Are For” (1987)
- Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: “Candle in the Wind 1997” (1998)
- Best Musical Show Album: Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida (2001)
- Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals: “If I Ain’t Got You” with Ray Charles (2005)
-
Best Pop Vocal Album: The Lockdown Sessions (2023)
-
Tony Award: 1 win
-
Best Original Score: Billy Elliot: The Musical (2000)
-
Primetime Emmy: 1 win
- Outstanding Variety Special (Live): Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium (2024)
The Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour (2018–2023)
Tour Statistics
- Started: September 8, 2018 in Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Concluded: July 8, 2023 at Stockholm, Sweden
- Total Shows: 330+ performances
- Attendance: 6+ million people
- Gross Revenue: $939+ million (highest-grossing tour of all time at conclusion)
Significance
The tour represented John’s farewell to touring, allowing him to spend more time with his family while giving fans worldwide a final chance to see him perform.
Personal Life
Early Life
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, he showed musical genius early, playing piano by age three and winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age 11.
Name Change
In 1972, he legally changed his name to Elton Hercules John, honoring two members of his early band Bluesology: saxophonist Elton Dean and singer Long John Baldry.
Marriages
- Renate Blauel (married 1984, divorced 1988) – German recording engineer
- David Furnish (civil partnership 2005, married 2014) – Canadian filmmaker and former advertising executive
Children
Elton John and David Furnish have two sons via surrogacy: - Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John (born December 25, 2010) - Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John (born January 11, 2013)
Substance Abuse and Recovery
John struggled with cocaine, alcohol, and bulimia throughout the 1970s and 1980s before achieving sobriety in 1990. He has been open about his recovery journey and has helped many others seek treatment.
Philanthropy and Activism
Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF)
Founded in 1992, EJAF has raised over $600 million for HIV/AIDS prevention, education, and support services worldwide. It is one of the largest HIV/AIDS grant-making organizations globally.
Other Causes
- LGBTQ+ rights advocacy
- Marriage equality campaigns
- Music education support
- Various humanitarian causes
Honors
- Knight Bachelor (1998) – becoming Sir Elton John
- Companion of Honour (2020) – for services to music and charity
- Order of the Companions of Honour – recognizing charitable work
Legacy
Elton John is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His influence spans generations, and his songs have become part of the global cultural fabric. From the intimate piano ballad “Your Song” to the stadium anthem “Rocket Man,” his music has provided the soundtrack to millions of lives.
His theatrical flair, colorful costumes (particularly in the 1970s), and emotional honesty in songwriting have made him not just a musical icon but a cultural phenomenon. The 2019 biopic Rocketman brought his story to new audiences, earning critical acclaim and an Oscar for Best Original Song.
Beyond music, his philanthropy, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS, has saved countless lives and changed global attitudes about the disease. His legacy encompasses not just his artistic achievements but his humanitarian impact.