If there is one name that conjures up magic in the world of rock and pop music, it has to be that of Sir Elton John. Elton John, an English singer, pianist, and songwriter, continues to create enchantment with his lyrics and music, supporting them with his passionate performances. His five decades of professional success have been extraordinary and record-breaking in every sense. One of the most popular musicians in the world, he has sold over 300 million records. Seven straight No. 1 US albums, 58 Billboard Top 40 singles, 27 Top 10, four No. 2 and nine No. 1 songs are just a few of his seemingly unachievable accomplishments. He had at least one song on the Billboard Hot 100 for 31 years in a row, or from 1970 to 2000. More than fifty Top 40 songs are among his accomplishments, yet there are still more. Candle in the Wind 1997, his ode to Princess Diana, has sold over 33 million copies worldwide and continues to be the best-selling single in the annals of the UK and US singles charts. If you think that’s all Elton John has in store for you, think again. He is a well-known English vocalist and pianist in addition to being a well-known composer, producer, and even actor.
Early Childhood & Life
Stanley Dwight and Sheila Eileen gave birth to Elton John on March 25, 1947, as Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, Middlesex, England.
He attended Pinner Wood Junior School, Reddiford School, and Pinner County Grammar School for his education. But before the A-Level exams, he stopped attending classes to focus on his musical career.
Early on, he developed his piano skills, and at age 11, he was awarded a junior scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music. Because of his talent, he began writing music at a young age. Elton spent five years as a student at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Career of Elton John
Elton John’s first position was playing piano in a bar on the weekends. Later, he worked in a music publishing company, started a band with pals, and began performing alone in hotels. He founded the band Bluesology in 1962.
He worked together with lyricist Bernie Taupin in 1967. He composed the music to go with the lyrics of the latter. As a result, the historic cooperation that still exists today began. The two’s debut song was titled “Scarecrow.” In the meanwhile, Dwight adopted the moniker Elton John in honor of Bluesology musicians.
Elton John and Taupin were hired as successful staff composers by DJM Records in 1968. They were creating and wrote songs for various musicians and singers. They began with simple lyrics and catchy music before moving on to more difficult forms.
Elton John released his debut album, “Empty Sky,” the same year he got his big break as a performer. As soon as possible, he followed it up with the April 1970 publication of the album “Elton John.” His debut album quickly became a hit, peaking at position four on the US Billboard 200 and five on the UK Albums Chart.
Elton John’s second album’s enormous success inspired him to keep on recording. This led him to release “Honky Château” in 1972, which became his first US number-one album. This was only the start of a streak of seven straight US number-one albums, which began after this.
Crocodile Rock, from the pop album “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player,” became his first single to top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. His 1973 album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” became a cult classic since it was an immediate success with both critics and listeners. The record helped him become known as a glam rock icon.
He founded The Rocket Record Company, his own label, after becoming famous. But instead of putting out his own music on Rocket, he agreed to a deal with MCA.
His Greatest Hits album was released by MCA in 1974 and reached #1 in the UK and the US. It was given a Diamond RIAA certification. Following this came the autobiographical albums “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” from 1975 and “Caribou” from 1974. It was the first album to ever enter the US charts at number one. The rock CD “Rock of the Westies” quickly replicated its success.
Even while John’s early 1970s career saw the biggest commercial and critical success—seven of his albums in a row peaked at number one in the US—John also became well-known for his live performances and his fashion choices. For his extravagant shows, he was well known for donning glasses and ostentatious, pompous costumes.
With the collaborative single “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with Kiki Dee, John reached the top once more in 1976. After taking a break from the music business, he came back in 1978 with the album “A Single Man.” He was one of the first Western musicians to tour Israel and the Soviet Union the following year.
John’s career had a good run during the 1980s. Due to his drinking and drug use, he had lost his Midas touch in music, but everything was still there. During this time, he created a number of top singles, including “That’s What Friends Are For,” which peaked at No. 1 in the US, “Little Jeannie,” “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Thanks),” “I’m Still Standing,” and “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.” He gave a number of live performances at this time.
He made a strong start to the 1990s by having his debut single, “Sacrifice,” reach the top of the UK charts. His first solo UK smashes single was a result of it. After a string of successful singles and albums, he experimented with new genres.
He co-wrote the music for the 1994 Disney animated picture “The Lion King” alongside Tim Rice. He even received his first Academy Award for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” thanks to the much praised score.
Candle in the Wind 1997 was performed by Elton John at Princess Diana’s burial. After selling over 33 million copies worldwide, it became the song with the quickest and highest lifetime sales. It was the only song ever to be recognized as a Diamond in the United States, the best-selling single in Billboard history, and the best-selling single in UK Chart history.
With “Are You Ready for Love,” Elton John achieved his seventh UK number one song in 2003. Returning to musical theater, he collaborated with playwright Lee Hall in 2005 to write the music for a West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical. The musical became the ninth longest-running musical in West End history after receiving positive reviews when it debuted. 80 international prizes have been given to it, and more than 5.25 million people in London and approximately 11 million people globally have watched it.
Elton John has been on numerous shows throughout the 2010s. He has plenty on his plate, including live events, remix albums, performances at award presentations, etc.
His final studio album, “Wonderful Crazy,” which he released in 2016, was his 32nd.
Bigger Works of Elton John
John enjoyed his greatest success during the 1970s, when seven of his albums, including “Honky Château,” “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” and others, debuted at number one in the US. Six of his albums were included in the list of the 500 greatest albums of all time published by Rolling Stone. His albums from this time period received five stars from Allmusic for three of them.
The best-selling track in the history of the UK and US singles charts is surprisingly Elton John’s tribute song to the late Princess Diana, “Candle in the Wind 1997.” Over 33 million copies were sold worldwide.
Recognition & Achievements
For “Can You Feel The Love Tonight,” by Elton John, the 1995 Academy Award for Best Original Song was given.
John was nominated for the Grammy Awards many times and won five times in various categories. He also received a Tony Award in 2000 for “Aida’s” Best Original Music Score. Additionally, he has five Brit Awards. John won the inaugural Brits Icon prize in 2013.
He was admitted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1995, Elton John received the designation of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Later in 1998, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him a Knight Bachelor.
A star was awarded to him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal Legacy & Life
In February 1984, Renate Blauel and Elton John got hitched. The two eventually split up four years later.
He came out as gay in 1988, and he started dating David Furnish in 1993.
Elton John and David Furnish were among the first couples in the UK to enter into a civil partnership in 2005, the year the Civil Partnership Act went into effect.
On December 21, 2014, once homosexual marriage was become legal that year, John and Furnish wed. Zachary Furnish-John and Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John are their two surrogate children.
John established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992 as a nonprofit organization to support initiatives for HIV/AIDS prevention. The foundation’s mission is to end prejudice and discrimination against those living with or at risk of getting HIV/AIDS and to provide services to those who need them.
Elton John’s Net Worth
Elton John is a very well-known and prosperous British pianist, singer, composer, and songwriter. Elton John’s net worth is $550 million as of this writing. One of the all-time most commercially successful musicians is Elton John. He has sold more than 300 million albums globally as of this writing. He now ranks behind Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles as the artist with the fifth-highest number of sales in music history. He routinely ranks among the world’s highest-paid celebrities. Elton can easily make over $80 million from his different endeavors in a touring year.