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Elton John, over time, has proven to be one of the most influential musicians of his time. His time spans several decades, and his legion of fans spans several generations. John has been performing for more than 50 years, and his tours have been attended by millions of people in the US, UK and around the world.

Early Life

Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in England in 1947, and his early childhood was shaped primarily by the women in his life. His father, Stanley Dwight, was a Squadron Leader in the RAF, which meant that he was rarely around his son, as his military duty kept him on tour for years.

John proved to be something of a child prodigy, as by the age of four, he was able to play piano melodies by ear after hearing them either on the radio or record player. He continued to hone his love for music, and he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music when he was 11.

John studied at the Academy for six years, but left before he graduated because he felt he was ready to concentrate on his professional music career. John played in his share of bands while he was a student, and it was during this time that his professional attitude and style were formulated in such a way that they would serve him throughout his career.

Early Career

John’s first band was formed when he was 13, and it was called The Corvettes. The Corvettes ultimately changed their name to Bluesology, which experienced some success as a backup band for such R&B artists as the Isley Brothers and Patti LaBelle. This exposure led to Bluesology being signed to serve as Long John Baldry’s supporting band, and they would tour and play small shows throughout England during this time.

John soon became disillusioned with the tight-fisted control that Baldry exerted over Bluesology and left the band soon thereafter. Even though there were initial failures, as John auditioned for lead singer roles with King Crimson and Gentle Giant without being hired, this part of his life led him to a partnership that exists to this day.

Career Success

John once again failed in an audition with Liberty Records, but as he was leaving the audition, he was given a group of lyrics without music that were written by Bernie Taupin, who has also tried out for a role with Liberty Records. John wrote music to support the lyrics, and the two began corresponding. John and Taupin met six months later, and it was during this time that John changed his name to what it is today. After a couple of years of writing music together, the partners were ready to encounter the 1970’s, which was a decade where they experienced a level of success that was unmatched in history.

Taupin and John began releasing singles with moderate success, and formed a band of musicians that would lead to John’s first number one album, Honky Chateau, in 1972. The album contained such hits as “Rocket Man” and “Honky Cat,” and spent five weeks at number one.

The following year, John started his own label, Rocket Records, and his string of success was amazing. His next nine albums all climbed to the top of the US Album charts, and his 31 releases since his first have sold hundreds of millions of copies around the world.

In 1975 he participated in the Tommy film, directed by Ken Russell and written by Pete Townshend, guitarist of The Who. By that time he had made certain declarations of bisexuality, which scandalized him in public opinion.

When entering the decade of 1980, he temporarily left his songwriting relationship with Taupin, which moderated his image and his music. It had already produced new successes like “I’m Still Standing” and “Little Jeannie” but with less frequency, and his private life also experienced some problems. On Feb. 14, 1984, he married sound engineer Renata Bauer, who he divorced shortly after. In July 1985, John participated in the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stage in London, with David Bowie, Sting, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Queen, among others.

In 1990 he was deeply affected the death of his young friend Ryan White, a hemophiliac who had contracted AIDS. After the funeral he confirmed that he had entered treatment to overcome his addiction to alcohol, drugs and bulimia. In 1992 he founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation, one of the greater charities for the eradication of the AIDS, and announced the proceeds of all his American singles would go to that organization.

John, already renewed and more sober, achieved a new success in 1994 with his participation in the soundtrack of the animated feature The Lion King in collaboration with Tim Rice. It also earned him a Grammy and an Oscar.

The murder of his friend Gianni Versace and the death of Princess of Wales Diana in a traffic accident dealt John a strong blow in 1997. He performed a version of “Candle In The Wind” with new lyrics at her funeral, and a single release broke all the records and became the most popular recording in the history of music up until that time.

The following year he received a honorary Grammy award, and in 2001 he collaborated once again with Bernie Taupin on the album Songs From the West Coast, followed in the 2004 by Peachtree Road.

In December of 2005, John contracted marriage with the director of Canadian cinema David Furnish, using the new British law of homosexual civil unions.

Awards/Acknowledgements

John is revered by millions, both inside the music industry and by the public in general. He has been recognized in several ways. John has won five Grammy Awards, although this is just the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of his recognition. In 1995, John won an Academy Award for Best Music, Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” featured in The Lion King. He won a Golden Globe Award that same year for Best Original Song – Motion Picture for the same score. In 1996, he was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (C.B.E.), and in 1998, he was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his contribution to music and fund-raising for AIDS charities. Finally, in 2000, John won a Tony Award for Best Original Musical Score for his work with “Aida.” John was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.