Elton John | Artist
Sir Elton Hercules John CBE is an English singer, pianist, and composer born 1947 in Pinner, UK. Reginald Kenneth Dwight, who later changed his name to Elton John, was born and raised in the London suburb of Pinner, often with his maternal grandparents in their council house. John started playing his grandmother's piano as a young boy and at age seven he began formal piano lessons. He showed musical aptitude at school, including the ability to compose melodies and gained notoriety by playing like Jerry Lee Lewis at school functions. At age 11, he won a junior scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music and at age 15 he was hired as a pianist at a nearby pub, the Northwood Hills Hotel, playing Thursday to Sunday nights. In 1962, John and some friends formed a band called Bluesology. By day, he ran errands for a music publishing company and at night did solo gigs at a London hotel bar and worked with Bluesology. By the mid-1960s, Bluesology was backing touring American soul and R&B musicians like the Isley Brothers, and Batti Labelle and the Bluebelles. In 1966, the band became Long John Baldry's support band and played 16 times at the Marquee Club. After leaving Bluesology in 1967 to embark on a solo career, John met Bernie Taupin after they both answered an advert for songwriters. For two years, they wrote songs for other artists, and John worked as a session musician. John released his debut album Empty Sky in 1969, and a year later formed the Elton John Band, and released his first hit single "Your Song." He has continued has worked with lyricist Bernie Taupin as his songwriting partner since 1967, collaborating on more than 30 albums. Since the early '70s John has become one of the world's most successful pop-rock performers and recording artists of all time having sold over 300 million records. Outstanding albums include Elton John (1970), Tumbleweed Connection (1970), Madman Across the Water (1971), Honky Château (1972), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975). Also recommended are the the live album 17-11-70, The Lion King soundtrack from 1994 and the 2021 archival release Regimental Sgt. Zippo. John's early life and musical career have been dramatised in the 2019 musical-biopic "Rocketman". John is well known for his philanthropic efforts, being involved in charity fundraising events since 1986. In 1992, after losing two friends to HIV/AIDS in the span of a year, including fellow musician Freddie Mercury, John founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation which has raised over $600 million to support HIV-related programs in 55 countries. John was recognised for his services to charity twice, receiving a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 and being appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour by Prince Charles in 2020.
Artist Website: eltonjohn.com
Featured Albums: Elton John
Related Artists: Bernie Taupin, Nigel Olsson, Tim Rice
