Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. He has been one of the dominant forces in rock and popular music, especially during the 1970s, when he produced hits like "Your Song," "Rocket Man," "Bennie and the Jets," and "Crocodile Rock."
Early Life
Elton John was born in Pinner, Middlesex, England, to Stanley Dwight and Sheila Eileen. He began playing the piano at an early age and won a junior scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at the age of 11. He left school before taking his A-Level examinations to pursue a career in music.
Career
Formation and Early Success
Elton John started his music career by working for a music publishing company and playing the piano in bars. He later joined a band called Bluesology. He created his stage name by combining the names of Bluesology's singer, Long John Baldry, and the saxophone player, Elton Dean. He met his major songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin, after both responded to an advertisement in a trade magazine.
Breakthrough and 1970s Dominance
John's first American album, Elton John, was released in 1970 and immediately established him as a major international star. He followed this with a series of successful albums, including Tumbleweed Connection (1970), Madman Across the Water (1971), Honky Château (1972), Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973), and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973).
Continued Success and Challenges
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Elton John continued to release hit albums and singles. However, he also faced personal challenges, including struggles with alcoholism, drug abuse, and bulimia. He sought treatment for his addictions in 1990.
Later Career and Philanthropy
In the 1990s, John received treatment for his addictions and began to devote his energies toward helping others. He established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, which has raised over $450 million to support HIV/AIDS programs around the world. He also began hosting his annual AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Party, which has become one of the biggest high-profile Oscar parties in the Hollywood film industry.
Recent Work
From 2003 to 2009, John had an open engagement at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The show, titled Elton John and the Red Piano, was a multimedia retrospective of his career. He began a second Las Vegas residency, entitled The Million Dollar Piano, which ran from 2011 to 2018. In 2016, he released his 33rd studio album, Wonderful Crazy Night.
Personal Life
Elton John has been open about his sexuality and came out as bisexual in 1976. He married Renate Blauel in 1984, but they divorced in 1988. He later came out as gay and has been in a relationship with David Furnish since 1993. The couple entered into a civil partnership in 2005 and married in 2014. They have two sons, Zachary and Elijah.
Honors and Awards
Elton John has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including:
- Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994
- A knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 1998
- Multiple Grammy Awards
- An Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King (1994)
- A Tony Award for Best Original Score for Aida (2000)