Elton John started playing the piano at his grandmother's house when he was three years old. By age five, he could play songs on the radio without formal training. His natural talent helped him win the Royal Academy of Music scholarship at the age of 11. At 15, Elton formed a band called "Bluesology" with his friends and played in pubs on weekends. Around the same time, Elton was introduced to Winifred Atwell, whom he considered his childhood hero. The pianist was a well-known figure in the 1950s, having sold over 20 million records.