Sir Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, is a legendary British singer, songwriter, and pianist. Raised in a council house by his maternal grandparents, Elton displayed a prodigious talent for music from an early age, learning to play the piano by ear at just four years old. His parents recognized his musical gift and encouraged his pursuits. He later attended the Royal Academy of Music on a scholarship but dropped out at 17 to pursue a career in music.
In 1967, he adopted the stage name Elton John, combining the names of two members of his early band, Bluesology. His partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin proved to be one of the most successful collaborations in popular music history. Taupin would write the lyrics while John composed the music,
and together they produced a plethora of hits. Elton John met Bernie Taupin in 1967 through a response to a talent-seeking advertisement placed by Liberty Records. Taupin, who was then a struggling lyricist, responded to the ad, and upon meeting, he and John discovered an instant musical chemistry. Despite having never met before, their partnership flourished,
with Taupin providing poetic, introspective lyrics that perfectly complemented John’s melodies and arrangements. Their collaboration began with John composing music for Taupin’s lyrics, and they soon formed a close friendship and creative bond that would endure for decades. Their enduring partnership has resulted in some of the most beloved and enduring songs in popular music history. From 1962 to 1969, Elton John’s journey from a humble pub pianist to a staff songwriter was marked by perseverance,
collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of his musical ambitions. During this period, John, then known as Reginald Dwight, honed his skills as a pianist by performing in pubs and clubs around London. His early experiences playing covers of popular songs laid the foundation for his future success as a songwriter and performer. In 1967, John’s career trajectory took a significant turn when he responded to an advertisement placed by Liberty Records seeking new talent.
Elton John’s career total to 68 Billboard Hot 100 entries, a run that began with “Border Song,” which marked his Billboard chart debut on Aug. 15, 1970. With nine having hit No. 1, he’s tied for 10th place among all acts for the most leaders. Plus, he ranked in the Hot 100’s top 40 for a record 30 consecutive years, in 1970-99. He is additionally king of Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary chart, with a record 74 visits and an unmatched 16 No. 1s.
Meeting Bernie Taupin, John and Taupin quickly realized their shared musical vision and complementary talents. As John and Taupin began working together, John transitioned from performing cover songs to composing original music. Taupin would provide the lyrics, often mailing them to John, who would then set them to music. Their creative process was unconventional but highly effective, resulting in a prolific output of songs that showcased John’s melodic gifts and Taupin’s lyrical prowess.
In 1969, John secured a staff songwriter position at Dick James Music, a publishing company owned by music impresario Dick James. This opportunity provided John with a stable income and access to professional recording studios, allowing him to further refine his songwriting skills and develop his unique musical style. It was during this time that John
released his debut album, “Empty Sky,” which featured songs written in collaboration with Taupin. His first three singles were “non-album” records. They were “I’ve Been Loving You” b/w “Here’s to the Next Time”, “Lady Samantha”
b/w “All Across the Havens”, and “It’s Me That You Need”
b/w “Just Like Strange Rain”, “It’s Me That You Need”
b/w “Just Like Strange Rain”
“Elton John,” released in April 1970, marked Elton John’s second studio album and played a pivotal role in solidifying his status as a rising star in the music industry. Produced by Gus Dudgeon and released on the DJM label, the album showcased John’s evolving musical style, blending elements of rock, pop, and blues with his signature piano-driven melodies.
Featuring classic tracks such as “Your Song,” “Take Me to the Pilot,” and “Border Song,” the album received critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 8 on the US Billboard 200. Backed by former Spencer Davis Group drummer Nigel Olsson and bassist Dee Murray, John’s first American concert took place at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, California on 25 August 1970, and was a success.
The concept album Tumbleweed Connection was released in October 1970 and reached number two in the UK and number five in the US. Featuring tracks like “Country Comfort,” “Burn Down the Mission,” and “Amoreena,” the album received widespread critical acclaim for its rich storytelling, evocative lyrics, and masterful musical arrangements.
The live album 17-11-70 (titled 11–17–70 in the US) was recorded at a live show aired from A&R Studios on WABC-FM in New York City. John and Taupin wrote the soundtrack to the 1971 film Friends and the album Madman Across the Water, which reached number eight in the US and included the hit songs “Levon” and the album’s opening track,
“Tiny Dancer”. In 1972, Davey Johnstone joined the Elton John Band on guitar and backing vocals. Released in 1972, Honky Château became John’s first US number one album, spending five weeks at the top of the Billboard 200, and began a streak of seven consecutive US number-one albums. The album reached number two in the UK, and spawned the hit singles “Rocket Man” and “Honky Cat”.
In 1972 Elton met “Legs” Larry Smith, the drummer with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. He joined the next tour and designed crazy, over-the-top costumes and giant stage sets – known as ‘Legstravaganzas’. The pop album Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player came out at the start of 1973 and reached number one in the UK,
the US, and Australia, among other countries. The album produced the hits “Crocodile Rock”, his first US Billboard Hot 100 number one, and “Daniel”, which reached number two in the US and number four in the UK. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, released in October 1973, gained instant critical acclaim and topped the chart on both sides of the Atlantic,
remaining at number one for two months. It also temporarily established John as a glam rock star. It contained the US number 1 “Bennie and the Jets”, along with the hits “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, “Candle in the Wind”, “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” and “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding”. Elton would continue to pump out he music on albums including:
Caribou (1974), Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975), Rock of the Westies (1975), Blue Moves (1976), A Single Man (1978), Victim of Love (1979), 21 at 33 (1980), The Fox (1981), Jump Up! (1982), Too Low For Zero (1983), Breaking Hearts (1984), Ice on Fire (1985), Leather Jackets (1986), Reg Strikes Back (1988),
Sleeping with the Past (1989), The One (1992), Made in England (1995), The Big Picture (1997), Songs from the West Coast (2001), Peachtree Road (2004), The Captain & the Kid (2006), The Diving Board (2013), Wonderful Crazy Night (2016), and Regimental Sgt. ZippoRegimental Sgt. Zippo (2021). He has released 31 studio albums.
Elton John lays claim to the best-selling single of all time in the UK, 1997’s Candle In The Wind, a re-written and re-recorded version of their 1973 hit Candle In The Wind. The reversion was performed at the funeral of Princess Diana and released on 13 September 1997 as a tribute to Diana, Princess Of Wales, with proceeds donated to Diana’s charities. It was also his biggest US Billboard Hot 100 hit.
Some of his other notable singles were “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” b/w “Sick City” (1974), “The Bitch Is Back” b/w “Cold Highway” (1974), “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” (with John Lennon) b/w “One Day at a Time” (1974), “Philadelphia Freedom” b/w “I Saw Her Standing There” (with John Lennon) (1974),
“Someone Saved My Life Tonight” b/w “House of Cards” (1975), “Island Girl”
b/w “Sugar on the Floor” (1975), “Pinball Wizard” b/w “Harmony” (1976), “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (with Kiki Dee) b/w “Snow Queen” (1976), “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” b/w “Shoulder Holster” (1976),
“Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” b/w “Take Me Down to the Ocean” (1982), “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” b/w “Choc Ice Goes Mental” (UK) “The Retreat” (US) (1983), and “I’m Still Standing”
b/w “Earn While You Learn” (UK) “Love So Cold” (US) (1983). Elton has released about 223 singles, either as the main artist or a collaborator.
Elton John’s career has been marked by numerous awards and accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, Brit Awards, and an Academy Award for his song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from Disney’s “The Lion King.” He’s sold over 300 million records worldwide,
making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His live performances are legendary, with elaborate costumes, energetic stage presence, and virtuosic piano playing captivating audiences around the globe. John has embarked on numerous tours throughout his career, including the extravagant “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” tour in 1973-1974 and the record-breaking “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour,
which commenced in 2018 and is intended to be his final tour. Elton John’s personal life has been subject to public interest and scrutiny. He came out as bisexual in a 1976 interview with Rolling Stone magazine and later identified as gay. In 2005, he entered into a civil partnership with David Furnish,
a Canadian filmmaker, and in 2014, they married following the legalization of same-sex marriage in England and Wales. Philanthropy has been a significant part of Elton John’s life. He established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, which has raised over $450 million to support HIV/AIDS prevention, education, and treatment programs worldwide.
He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1995 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his charity work.
Additionally, he has been involved in various other charitable endeavors, including his support for LGBTQ+ rights and humanitarian efforts. Influenced by a diverse range of artists including Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles, Elton John’s music blends elements of rock, pop, and classical to create a distinctive sound that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Further Reading
Sources
- Biography.com Editors. (2021, May 11). Elton John. Biography. https://www.biography.com/musician/elton-john
- Elton John. (n.d.). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005056/
- Elton John AIDS Foundation. (n.d.). About Us. https://www.ejaf.org/about-us/
- Elton John (album). (2022, January 17). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John_(album)
- Wikipedia “Elton John” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John
- Tumbleweed Connection. (2022, January 5). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumbleweed_Connection
- Discogs “Elton John – Madman Across The Water” https://www.discogs.com/release/1477781-Elton-John-Madman-Across-The-Water
- Discogs “Elton John – Honky Château” https://www.discogs.com/master/85555-Elton-John-Honky-Ch%C3%A2teau
- Wikipedia “Elton John albums discography” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John_albums_discography
- Wikipedia “Elton John singles discography” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John_singles_discography
- Official Charts “ELTON JOHN” https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/21478/elton-john/‘
- Billboard “Elton John’s Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits: ‘Candle in the Wind,’ ‘Rocket Man,’ ‘Your Song’ & More” https://www.billboard.com/pro/elton-john-biggest-billboard-hot-100-hits/
- Elton John https://www.eltonjohn.com/
