ELTON JOHN
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Reginald Kenneth Dwight, born on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, is a songwriter, composer, and performer known by his stage name, Elton John. At the age of four, Reggie Dwight taught himself to play the piano, and at the age of 11, he received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music for his exceptional talent. He attended the academy but dropped out two weeks before graduation to pursue a music career. He is the only child of Sheila Farebrother, who introduced him to rock music by bringing home records, and the eldest son of Stanley Dwight, a high-ranking officer in the Royal Air Force. As a child, Reg Dwight studied classical music and even won a scholarship to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. However, like many British kids of the time, his true passion was American R&B. In 1962, he and some friends formed a soul cover band called Bluesology, featuring Dwight on organ and Stu Brown on guitar and vocals. When they split up, they recruited Rex Bishop (on bass) and Mick Inkpen (drums) and began playing pubs in their hometown of Pinner. Despite their young age, they were good enough to get regular work and, by 1965, Dwight left his job as an office boy at Mills Music to pursue his musical career full-time, and Bluesology went on the road as the backing band for soul acts like the Isley Brothers, Patti LaBelle & the Blue Bells and Lee Dorsey when they toured England.
The singer adopted his stage name in 1967 by incorporating the middle name of Bluesology’s vocalist, Long John Baldry, and the first name of the saxophonist, Elton Dean. In 1972, he added "Hercules" as his middle name, after the character of a horse in a British sitcom he was a fan of.
John formally debuted as a singer in 1969 when he released his first album, Empty Sky, which featured songs written by his lifetime career partner Bernie Taupin. The album didn't chart, but his self-titled album 'Elton John,' which followed in 1979, became a hit, and his career skyrocketed.
Elton John's flamboyant style is as legendary as his music, making him one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture. Over the decades, his bold fashion choices have set trends, and his stage costumes have become iconic aspects of his career. Starting in the 1970s, he became known for wearing outlandish outfits that combined theatricality with high fashion. Feathered headdresses, sequined jumpsuits, rhinestone-covered suits, fur, and fringe were staples of his performances, along with platform boots and heels, creating a visual spectacle on stage. Elton often incorporates pop culture references into his fashion, whether dressing up as Mozart, Donald Duck, or even the Statue of Liberty. He once said, "I'm not Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, or David Bowie, tearing from one end of the stage to the other. I'm always bloody stuck at the piano, aren't I? Clothes have always had to be part of the show I put on. They made me memorable."
In addition to his unique stage outfits, John is also known for his eyewear collection, which ranges from massive, jewel-encrusted frames to glasses shaped like stars, hearts, and even musical notes, often complementing his costumes.
In the late 1960s, Elton John teamed up with Bernie Taupin, whom he met through an ad in New Musical Express, to form a songwriting partnership responsible for more than 35 gold and 25 platinum albums, 30 consecutive U.S. Top 40 hits, have sold more than 255 million records worldwide, and hold the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, Candle In The Wind ’97, with more than 33 million copies sold. Together they produced over 300 songs featuring a blend of rock and roll, pop, and classical elements. Their work earned them five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, and induction into the 'Songwriters Hall of Fame.'
From 1967 they developed a remote working relationship where they would never sit in the same room and write together, which they have stated was a good formula for them. In 1976, after releasing the album 'Blue Moves,' and being burnt out from the last decade's demand, they separated, reuniting in the next two years for the rest of their career. The pair considers the song 'We All Fall in Love Sometimes' from the 1975 biographical album 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy,' a description of their relationship and their "experiences of being able to make songs and make it big." He considers Bernie, the person he has been looking for his entire life, his "little soul mate."
Beyond his music, Elton John is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has worked to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which he founded in 1992, a few years after Ryan White's death. In recognition of his contributions to music and charity, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.
Elton John has been in a relationship with David Furnish since they met in 1993. The couple had a civil partnership ceremony in 2005 and were legally married in 2014 following the legalization of same-sex marriage in England. They have two sons, Zachary and Elijah, who were conceived through surrogacy. The family resides in both London and Los Angeles. Elton was previously engaged to Linda Hannon in 1970 and married Renate Blauel, with whom he stayed for four years from 1983 to 1987. Though it was hidden, John had a relationship with John Reid for five years, who later managed the singer's career from 1973 to 1998.
Elton John and Tupin won several awards in all four major American performing art categories—Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony—which honor outstanding achievements in television, recording, film, and Broadway theatre. He also received recognition for "Best Original Song" at the Golden Globes, among several other honorable awards.
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Reginald Kenneth Dwight, born on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, is a songwriter, composer, and performer known by his stage name, Elton John. At the age of four, Reggie Dwight taught himself to play the piano, and at the age of 11, he received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music for his exceptional talent. He attended the academy but dropped out two weeks before graduation to pursue a music career. He is the only child of Sheila Farebrother, who introduced him to rock music by bringing home records, and the eldest son of Stanley Dwight, a high-ranking officer in the Royal Air Force. As a child, Reg Dwight studied classical music and even won a scholarship to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. However, like many British kids of the time, his true passion was American R&B. In 1962, he and some friends formed a soul cover band called Bluesology, featuring Dwight on organ and Stu Brown on guitar and vocals. When they split up, they recruited Rex Bishop (on bass) and Mick Inkpen (drums) and began playing pubs in their hometown of Pinner. Despite their young age, they were good enough to get regular work and, by 1965, Dwight left his job as an office boy at Mills Music to pursue his musical career full-time, and Bluesology went on the road as the backing band for soul acts like the Isley Brothers, Patti LaBelle & the Blue Bells and Lee Dorsey when they toured England.
The singer adopted his stage name in 1967 by incorporating the middle name of Bluesology’s vocalist, Long John Baldry, and the first name of the saxophonist, Elton Dean. In 1972, he added "Hercules" as his middle name, after the character of a horse in a British sitcom he was a fan of.
John formally debuted as a singer in 1969 when he released his first album, Empty Sky, which featured songs written by his lifetime career partner Bernie Taupin. The album didn't chart, but his self-titled album 'Elton John,' which followed in 1979, became a hit, and his career skyrocketed.
Elton John's flamboyant style is as legendary as his music, making him one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture. Over the decades, his bold fashion choices have set trends, and his stage costumes have become iconic aspects of his career. Starting in the 1970s, he became known for wearing outlandish outfits that combined theatricality with high fashion. Feathered headdresses, sequined jumpsuits, rhinestone-covered suits, fur, and fringe were staples of his performances, along with platform boots and heels, creating a visual spectacle on stage. Elton often incorporates pop culture references into his fashion, whether dressing up as Mozart, Donald Duck, or even the Statue of Liberty. He once said, "I'm not Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, or David Bowie, tearing from one end of the stage to the other. I'm always bloody stuck at the piano, aren't I? Clothes have always had to be part of the show I put on. They made me memorable."
In addition to his unique stage outfits, John is also known for his eyewear collection, which ranges from massive, jewel-encrusted frames to glasses shaped like stars, hearts, and even musical notes, often complementing his costumes.
In the late 1960s, Elton John teamed up with Bernie Taupin, whom he met through an ad in New Musical Express, to form a songwriting partnership responsible for more than 35 gold and 25 platinum albums, 30 consecutive U.S. Top 40 hits, have sold more than 255 million records worldwide, and hold the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, Candle In The Wind ’97, with more than 33 million copies sold. Together they produced over 300 songs featuring a blend of rock and roll, pop, and classical elements. Their work earned them five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, and induction into the 'Songwriters Hall of Fame.'
From 1967 they developed a remote working relationship where they would never sit in the same room and write together, which they have stated was a good formula for them. In 1976, after releasing the album 'Blue Moves,' and being burnt out from the last decade's demand, they separated, reuniting in the next two years for the rest of their career. The pair considers the song 'We All Fall in Love Sometimes' from the 1975 biographical album 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy,' a description of their relationship and their "experiences of being able to make songs and make it big." He considers Bernie, the person he has been looking for his entire life, his "little soul mate."
Beyond his music, Elton John is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has worked to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which he founded in 1992, a few years after Ryan White's death. In recognition of his contributions to music and charity, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.
Elton John has been in a relationship with David Furnish since they met in 1993. The couple had a civil partnership ceremony in 2005 and were legally married in 2014 following the legalization of same-sex marriage in England. They have two sons, Zachary and Elijah, who were conceived through surrogacy. The family resides in both London and Los Angeles. Elton was previously engaged to Linda Hannon in 1970 and married Renate Blauel, with whom he stayed for four years from 1983 to 1987. Though it was hidden, John had a relationship with John Reid for five years, who later managed the singer's career from 1973 to 1998.
Elton John and Tupin won several awards in all four major American performing art categories—Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony—which honor outstanding achievements in television, recording, film, and Broadway theatre. He also received recognition for "Best Original Song" at the Golden Globes, among several other honorable awards.
Reginald Kenneth Dwight, born on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, is a songwriter, composer, and performer known by his stage name, Elton John. At the age of four, Reggie Dwight taught himself to play the piano, and at the age of 11, he received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music for his exceptional talent. He attended the academy but dropped out two weeks before graduation to pursue a music career. He is the only child of Sheila Farebrother, who introduced him to rock music by bringing home records, and the eldest son of Stanley Dwight, a high-ranking officer in the Royal Air Force. As a child, Reg Dwight studied classical music and even won a scholarship to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. However, like many British kids of the time, his true passion was American R&B. In 1962, he and some friends formed a soul cover band called Bluesology, featuring Dwight on organ and Stu Brown on guitar and vocals. When they split up, they recruited Rex Bishop (on bass) and Mick Inkpen (drums) and began playing pubs in their hometown of Pinner. Despite their young age, they were good enough to get regular work and, by 1965, Dwight left his job as an office boy at Mills Music to pursue his musical career full-time, and Bluesology went on the road as the backing band for soul acts like the Isley Brothers, Patti LaBelle & the Blue Bells and Lee Dorsey when they toured England.