British singer, pianist and composer Sir Elton John was born 77 years ago as Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, Middlesex, is married and has two children.
He took his education at Junior and the Grammar School but left right before his A-levels when he was 17 to pursue a music career. At a young age, he learned the piano and in 1962 formed his first band ‘Bluesology’ until he left in 1967. After writing songs for other musicians for 2 years, he released his first album and a year after, his first top ten hit ‘Your Song’ was released. Undoubtedly, success was at its peak during the 70’s, with a string of hits which topped the UK and US charts, amongst which there were ‘Rocket Man’, ‘Crocodile Rock’ and ‘Don’t go breaking my Heart’ sung in duet with Kiki Dee.
Success continued to flourish in the next two decades, with songs like ‘Blue Eyes’, ‘I’m still Standing’, ‘I guess that’s why they call it the Blues’, ‘Nikita’, ‘Sacrifice’ and the best-selling single of all time ‘Candle in the Wind’, which was re-written as a tribute to Princess Diana who passed away in 1997. This song was originally written in the 70s as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe.
Apart from continuously releasing albums, John contributed in composing music for several musicals and films like ‘Billy Elliot’ and the world-famous ‘Lion King’. He also appeared in numerous concerts alongside many famous artists and performed live shows at the luxurious Caesar’s Palace Hotel in Las Vegas.
Since the late 60s/early 70s, Elton embarked on about 50 tours all around the world, with his final tour done last year. He released 74 albums spread among studio, collaboration, compilation, live, internet, soundtrack, tribute and holiday, 4 EPs, 181 music videos and 17 video albums. He had 140 singles as main artist, 22 as featured artist, 2 charity singles and 56 non-single guest appearances. He also recorded 464 songs, mostly co-written by himself.
Sir Elton John is also an avid philanthropist and is very well known for his charities and fundraising. He has in fact founded the Elton John AIDS foundation and the Elton John Charitable Trust. Matter of factly, in 1998, Queen Elizabeth II honoured him with knighthood and in 2020 appointed him member of the Order of the Companions of Honour as a recognition for his charitable works.
During his long musical career, Elton John won 45 awards and several other honours including 6 Grammy, 2 Academy, 6 ASCAP Pop Music & 2 Golden Globe Awards.
*Image: no infringement intended. Source: Do You Remember?