Full Name: Reginald Kenneth Dwight
Profession: Singer and Pianist
Biography: Elton John is an iconic English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. With a career spanning more than five decades, he's one of the best-selling music artists in the world, boasting numerous hit singles and albums.
Elton has sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world; has had more than 50 Top 40 hits, including 58 Billboard Top 40 singles; and has received 6 Grammy Awards, 5 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and an Emmy Award.
Elton's musical partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin, initiated in 1967, has been one of the most enduring and successful collaborations in music history. Together, they produced hits like Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer, and Candle in the Wind, the latter of which, re-recorded in 1997 as a tribute to Princess Diana, became the then best-selling single in the history of UK and US singles charts. The pair were awarded the US Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2024.
Beyond his music, Elton is known for his flamboyant stage outfits and his tireless activism, especially in the fight against AIDS. He established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, which has since raised over $450 million to support HIV/AIDS programs around the world.
Born: March 25, 1947
Birthplace: Pinner, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom
Age: 77 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Aries
Articles and Photos
The Man Who Saved Elton John's Life
Long John Baldry was born on this day - a friend of stars from Rod Stewart to The Beatles and who, in 1969, famously took Elton John aside and saved his life.
January 12, 1941
Great Balls of Fire! The 'Bride' is 13
Jerry Lee Lewis leapt to fame declaring there was ‘A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On’. His fans were certainly shaken when told of his 13-year-old ‘bride’.
December 13, 1957
Career Highlights
- 1970-08-25 Elton John makes his 1st US appearance at the Troubador in West Hollywood, Los Angeles,
- 1970-11-17 Elton John performs a live studio concert broadcast for WABC in New York City, later released as his 11-17-70 album
- 1972-07-15 "Honky Chateau" becomes Elton John's first No. 1 album in the US, includes hit "Rocket Man"
- 1973-10-05 "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" 7th studio album by Elton John is released
- 1974-09-23 John Lennon's single "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night", featuring Elton John, released in US; it was Lennon's only solo No. 1 single during his lifetime
- 1974-09-26 Apple Records releases John Lennon's fifth studio album, "Walls & Bridges" in US; features No. 1 single "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" (with Elton John) and "#9 Dream"
- 1974-10-04 Apple Records releases John Lennon's fifth studio album, "Walls & Bridges" in UK; features No. 1 single "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" (with Elton John) and "#9 Dream"
- 1974-11-08 "Greatest Hits" 11th studio album by Elton John is released
- 1974-11-16 John Lennon's single "Whatever Gets You Through the Night", featuring Elton John, goes to #1 in US; the last of the Beatles with a solo chart-topper, it was the only one during his lifetime
- 1975-03-26 Ken Russell's film "Tommy", based on the rock opera by The Who, premieres in London; Roger Daltrey and Ann-Margret star, Tina Turner and Elton John are featured
- 1975-06-21 Elton John, The Eagles and The Beach Boys play to 72,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, London
- 1975-10-21 Elton John is given a star in Hollywood
- 1976-08-10 Elton John performs the first of seven sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden, NYC, to conclude his North American tour
- 1977-01-31 4th American Music Awards: Olivia Newton-John & Elton John win
- 1977-10-01 Elton John honored by Madison Square Garden's MSG Hall of Fame
- 1979-05-01 British pop superstar Elton John performs for 1st time in Israel, kicking off a mini-tour of 5 shows in six nights
- 1979-05-20 Elton John is the 1st western pop star to tour USSR
- 1979-09-27 Elton John, sick with flu, collapses in the Hollywood Universal Amphitheater
- 1982-04-17 Country music legend Johnny Cash hosts Saturday Night Live, participates in skits, performs medley of hits; Elton John is additional musical guest
- 1986-01-18 AIDS charity record "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne Warwick with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder, hits #1
- 1987-06-05 Prince's Trust Rock Gala: Eric Clapton leads an all-star band including George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Phil Collins, and Jeff Lynne at Wembley Stadium, London
- 1987-08-01 Music video channel MTV Europe launches, with Elton John throwing the switch; "Money For Nothing" Dire Straits is the first video presented
- 1988-10-22 Elton John sells out Madison Square Garden, NYC, for a record 26th time
- 1990-04-07 Farm Aid IV concert at Hoosier Dome (Indianapolis, Indiana) features Bonnie Raitt, John Mellencamp, John Hiatt, Carl Perkins, Arlo Guthrie, Garth Brooks, Bruce Hornsby, Elton John, Lou Reed, Taj Mahal, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Willie Nelson, Iggy Pop, and others
- 1991-03-10 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, Gilberto Gil; Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Caetano Veloso
- 1992-03-12 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Natalie Cole, and Don Henley
- 1992-04-20 All-star benefit concert in memory of Freddie Mercury held at Wembley Stadium, London; performers include: Queen, Roger Daltry, Robert Plant, Zucchero, Paul Young, Seal, David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Mick Ronson, George Michael, Elton John, Axl Rose, and Liza Minnelli
- 1993-11-04 Elton John awarded $518,700 from Sunday Mirror for a false report on his diet
- 1994-01-19 9th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: The Animals; The Band; Duane Eddy; The Grateful Dead; Elton John; John Lennon; Bob Marley; Rod Stewart; Willie Dixon; and Johnny Otis
- 1994-04-09 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Whitney Houston, Luciano Pavarotti, Aaron Neville, Tammy Wynette, Branford Marsalis, and Larry Adler
- 1995-04-12 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jessye Norman, and Geoffrey Oryema
- 1996-04-12 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Don Henley, Diana Ross, Robin Williams, Branford Marsalis, and Kenny Kirkland
- 1997-04-30 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Lyle Lovett, Bobby McFerrin, Bonnie Raitt, Shawn Colvin and Zucchero
- 1997-09-13 Elton John releases single "Candle in the Wind 1997", a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in the UK
- 1997-09-13 Elton John releases single "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" in the UK
- 1997-09-22 Elton John releases "Candle in the Wind 1997", a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in the US
- 1998-02-24 Elton John is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London
- 1998-04-27 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Madonna, Billy Joel, Joe Cocker, Emmylou Harris, Roberta Flack, Wynonna Judd, and Tsidii Leloka
- 1999-04-17 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Tony Bennett, Don Henley, Ricky Martin and Charles Aznavour
- 2000-04-13 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Ricky Martin, Billy Joel, Gladys Knight, Percy Sledge, Tom Jones, Martha Reeves, Macy Gray, Sam Moore, and The Impressions
- 2002-04-13 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Nina Simone, Smokey Robinson, Lulu, Patti Labelle, Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, Jeff Beck, Wynonna Judd, and Rebecca Del Rio
- 2004-04-21 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, and Little Jimmy Scott
- 2005-07-02 Live 8 concert at Hyde Park, London, England; performers include Paul McCartney, U2, Coldplay, Elton John, Sting, Madonna, The Who, Pink Floyd, and R.E.M.
- 2010-05-13 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, Debbie Harry, Lady Gaga, Shirley Bassey, Nile Rodgers and Chic
- 2010-10-19 Decca Records releases "The Union", a collaborative album between Elton John and Leon Russell, in the US; it becomes the highest charting album for both artists in over 30 years
- 2012-02-05 Flavor Flav and Elton John appear in a Pepsi Co. ad during Super Bowl XLVI
- 2012-04-03 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Jennifer Hudson, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Esperanza Spaulding, Bruno Mars, Bryn Terfel, and Bill Clinton
- 2014-04-17 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Bruno Mars, Jennifer Hudson, and Bryn Terfel
- 2019-03-31 Elton John joins George Clooney's call to boycott hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei after Brunei plans new anti-gay laws to make homosexual sex punishable by death
- 2019-05-16 "Rocketman" film based on life of singer Elton John starring Taron Egerton premieres at the Cannes Film Festival
- 2022-07-15 Elton John kicks off the North American leg of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- 2022-09-23 US President Joe Biden awards British singer Elton John with National Humanities Medal
- 2022-11-20 Elton John completes the North American leg of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California
- 2023-06-23 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: Arctic Monkeys, Guns 'n' Roses, and Elton John headline; other performers include Foo Fighters (in a surprise appearance), Rickie Lee Jones, Lizzo, Little Nas X, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp, Fred Again, and The War on Drugs
- 2023-07-08 British singer-songwriter Elton John completes his international "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden
- 2024-01-15 English singer Elton John wins an Emmy Award for television special "Elton John: Farewell From Dodger Stadium", giving him the final piece of his EGOT (winning all four of the major American art awards)
- 2024-03-20 British singer-songwriter Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin receive Library of Congress Gershwin Prize at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Personal Life
- 1984-02-14 British singer Elton John (36) marries Renate Blauel at Darling Point, New South Wales, Australia; divorce in 1988
- 2014-12-21 British pop piano player and singer Elton John (67) weds Canadian filmmaker David Furnish (52) at their estate in Windsor, England on the 9th anniversary of their civil partnership
References
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