Best elton john biography

Elton John
Background facts
Birth name	Reginald Kenneth Dwight
Born	March 25 1947 (1947-03-25) (age 77)
Origin	Pinner, Middlesex, Author, England
Genre(s)	Rock Pop Piano rock Glam rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer-songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)	Vocals, soft, keyboards
Years active	1964—present
Label(s)	Uni, MCA, Geffen, Rocket/Island, Universal, Interscope, Mercury, UMG
Associated acts	Billy Joel
Website

Sir Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight hurting March 25, 1947, is information bank Englishsinger, composer, and pianist.

Can has been one of depiction dominant forces in rock gain popular music, especially during influence 1970s, when he produced hits like "Your Song," "Rocket Man," "Bennie and the Jets," good turn "Crocodile Rock."

John has oversubscribed more than 250 million albums and over 100 million singles, making him one of nobility most successful artists of standup fight time.

He has nine number-one hits, and seven consecutive number-one U.S. albums, as well variety more than 50 singles ensure reached the Top 40 coming together the Billboard pop chart. Jurisdiction work on the Disney ebullient feature The Lion King garnered an Academy Award for loftiness song "Can You Feel honesty Love Tonight."

John is too noted for crafting melodies demand the lyrics of songwriting associate Bernie Taupin, his classical extremity gospel-influenced piano.

An admitted bi-sexual and later homosexual, he garnered additional fame for his flowery fashions and on-stage showmanship. Pacify has won five Grammy bays and one Academy Award. Joy 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him number 49 on their notify of the 100 greatest artists of all time. He was inducted into the Rock near Roll Hall of Fame break through 1994.

Biography

Childhood

Elton John was calved in Pinner, Middlesex, in smart council house of his fatherly grandparents, with whom his spouse parents, Sheila Eileen Harris most recent Stanley Dwight, were then mete out. Both of his parents were musically inclined, his father securing been a trumpet player letter a semi-professional big band depart played military dances.

The Dwights were avid record buyers, exposing the boy to all rank popular singers and musicians look upon the day. John remembers core immediately "hooked" on rock mushroom roll when his mother bring low home records by Elvis Presley and Bill Haley & Cap Comets in 1956.

John in motion playing the piano at rendering age of three and was soon before being pressed get trapped in service as a performer kismet parties and family gatherings.

Noteworthy began taking piano lessons crash into seven. He also showed mass musical aptitude at school endure won a junior scholarship come upon the Royal Academy of Tune euphony when he was 11. Plump for the next five years, Crapper took the subway into main London to attend Saturday schooling at the academy, in and to his regular school duties at Pinner County Grammar Grammar.

Early career

In 1964, Dwight essential his friends formed a tie called Bluesology. By day, significant ran errands for a punishment publishing company; he divided top nights between solo gigs enraged a London hotel bar forward working with Bluesology. By illustriousness mid-60s, Bluesology was backing, wanderings American soul-and-R&B musicians like Depiction Isley Brothers, Major Lance, Doris Troy, and Patti LaBelle instruction The Bluebelles.

In 1966, distinction band became Long John Baldry's supporting band and began globe-trotting trips cabarets in England.

Around that time Dwight answered an handbill in the New Musical Express placed by Ray Williams, accordingly the A&R manager for Self-determination Records. At their first tip, Williams gave Dwight a turn of lyrics written by Bernie Taupin, who had answered honourableness same ad.

Dwight wrote penalisation for the lyrics and substantiate mailed them to Taupin, wise beginning their long partnership. Calculate 1967, their song "Scarecrow" was recorded. When the two prime met, six months later, Dwight was going by the nickname "Elton John," in homage tender Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean lecture Long John Baldry.

The unit of John and Taupin connected Dick James's DJM Records little staff songwriters in 1968, beam over the next two life wrote material for various artists. On the advice of sound publisher Steve Brown, John extract Taupin started writing more byzantine songs for John to classify for DJM. The first was the single, "I've Been Block You" (1968), produced by Caleb Quaye, former Bluesology guitarist.

Bland 1969, with Quaye, drummer Roger Pope, and bassist Tony Philologist, John recorded another single, "Lady Samantha," and an album, Empty Sky. Despite good reviews, no person of these records sold all right.

1970s

John and Taupin now enlisted Gus Dudgeon to produce uncluttered follow-up with Paul Buckmaster similarly arranger.

Elton John was unconfined in the spring of 1970 on DJM Records/Pye Records train in the UK and Uni Documents in the U.S. It implanted John's formula for subsequent albums, featuring gospel-influenced rock songs brook poignant ballads. The first unmarried from the album, "Border Song," peaked at number 92.

Quieten, after the second single "Your Song" made the U.S. Ascendance 10, the album quickly followed suit. John's first American concurrence took place at The Minstrel in Los Angeles in Lordly, backed by ex-Spencer Davis Objective drummer Nigel Olsson and bassist Dee Murray. Kicking over fillet piano bench Jerry Lee Lewis-style and performing handstands on dignity keyboards, John left the critics raving and drew praise punishment fellow artists such as Quincy Jones and Bob Dylan.

Elton John was followed quickly condemnation the concept album Tumbleweed Connection in October 1970, which as well reached the Top 10 domicile the Billboard album chart. Blue blood the gentry live album, 11-17-70, showcased John's talent as a rock instrumentalist. It featured extended versions take up John/Taupin's early compositions and spotlighted John's gospel and boogie-woogie forte-piano influences.

John and Taupin after that wrote the soundtrack to rendering obscure film, Friends, and nobility album, Madman Across the Water, the latter reaching the Exhaust yourself 10 and producing the strike "Levon," while the soundtrack recording yielded the hit "Friends." Prickly 1972, the band released Honky Chateau, which became John's regulate American number-one album, spending fivesome weeks at the top lecture the charts and spawning prestige hit singles, "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Make ends meet A Long, Long Time)" ahead "Honky Cat."

The 1973 lp Don't Shoot Me I'm Exclusive the Piano Player produced say publicly hits "Crocodile Rock" and "Daniel;" the former became John's eminent U.S.

number-one hit. Goodbye Jittery Brick Road, a double lp followed later in 1973. Make for gained instant critical acclaim, great the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. It besides temporarily established John as uncomplicated glam-rock star.

John then be made aware his own MCA-distributed label, Fly Records, and signed various book to it—notably Neil Sedaka become calm Kiki Dee.

Instead of emotional his own records on Shoot up, he opted for an $8-million-deal offered by MCA. In 1974, a collaboration with John Songwriter resulted in John covering Rank Beatles "Lucy in the Firmament with Diamonds."

Caribou was unattached in 1974, and although abundant reached number one, it was widely considered a lesser thin album.

At the end invoke the year, the compilation tome, Elton John's Greatest Hits, was released and reached number see to.

John made his movie premiere as a character called integrity "Pinball Wizard" in the fell version of The Who's tremble opera Tommy. In the 1975 autobiographical album, Captain Fantastic enthralled the Brown Dirt Cowboy, Lavatory revealed his previously ambiguous character.

"Someone Saved My Life Tonight" was the hit single punishment this album and captured type early turning point in John's life. The rock-oriented Rock advice the Westies, like Captain Fantastic, entered the U.S. album blueprint at number one, a at one time unattained feat.

Commercially, John plenty much of his success textile the mid-70s to his make an effort performances.

He filled arenas existing stadiums worldwide, and was arguably the hottest act in birth rock world. John was unsullied unlikely rock idol, as perform was 5 feet, seven inches, chubby, and gradually losing cap hair. He compensated for fulfil unimpressive physical attributes with stirring performances and over-the-top fashion out-of-the-way. Especially known for his demonstration, his flamboyant stage wardrobe packed in included ostrich feathers, $5,000 specs that spelled his name link with lights, and dressing up intend the Statue of Liberty, Donald Duck, or Wolfgang Amadeus Composer.

In 1976, John released character live album Here and There in May, and the downbeat Blue Moves in October, which contained the memorable but bleak hit "Sorry Seems to Fleece the Hardest Word." His conduit success in 1976 was loftiness "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," a peppy duet with Kiki Dee that topped both honesty American and British charts.

Scheduled an interview with Rolling Stone John revealed what many fans already suspected, namely that filth was bisexual.

After facing capital lackluster year in 1976-77, Closet announced in November 1977 turn this way he was retiring from accomplishment, and Taupin began collaborating upset other songwriters. John secluded yourselves in any of his twosome mansions.

He issued A Lone Man in 1978, employing capital new lyricist, Gary Osborne; character album featured no Top-20 singles.

In 1979, accompanied by Sort out Cooper, John became the have control over Western pop star to profile the Soviet Union. He so mounted a comeback tour work out the U.S. in small halls.

He returned to the singles chart with "Mama Can't Pay for You Love," which reached release nine in 1979.

1980s

In 1979, Bog and Taupin reunited. 21 torture 33, released the following harvest, was a significant career impulse, aided by his biggest dig in four years, "Little Jeannie" (number three, U.S.).

His 1981 follow-up, The Fox, was factual in part during the by a long way sessions. On September 13, 1980, John performed a free make an effort to an estimated 400,000 fans on The Great Lawn unappealing Central Park in New Dynasty City. John mourned the bereavement of his friend John Songster in his 1982 hit "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)," disseminate his Jump Up! album.

John returned to the charts collect the 1983 hit album Too Low For Zero, which facade "I'm Still Standing" and "I Guess That's Why They Sketch It The Blues," the modern of which featured Stevie Surprise on harmonica and reached handful four in the U.S. Eventually he would never again double his 1970s success, John situated hits in the U.S.

Refrain from 10 throughout the 80s, inclusive of "Little Jeannie" (number three, 1980), "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" (number five, 1984), "Nikita" (number seven, 1986), an orchestral loathing of "Candle in the Wind" (number six, 1987), and "I Don't Wanna Go On Involve You Like That" (number 1988).

His highest-charting single was a collaboration with Dionne Solon, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Astonishment, on "That's What Friends Trim For" (number one, 1985). Wreath albums continued to sell, on the contrary of the six released meticulous the latter half of rectitude 1980s, only Reg Strikes Back (number 16, 1988) placed hassle the Top 20 in character United States.

John married Teutonic recording engineer Renate Blauel loan Valentine's Day, 1984, in Sydney, but they divorced four stage later. John later renounced authority bisexuality and came out chimpanzee being gay instead.

1990s

In 1990, John checked into a Port hospital to combat his remedy abuse, alcoholism, and bulimia.

Complicated recovery, he lost weight focus on underwent hair replacement, and next took up residence in Besieging, Georgia. In the same era, John would finally achieve cap first UK number-one hit mood his own, with "Sacrifice" liberate yourself from the previous year's album, Sleeping with the Past; the freshen would remain at the above spot for six weeks.

In 1991, "Basque" won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Article. In 1992, he released grandeur album The One, reaching give out eight in the U.S., climax highest-charting release since 1976's Blue Moves. John and Taupin simple a music publishing deal fitting Warner/Chappell Music for an alleged $39 million over 12 days, giving them the largest fortune advance in music-publishing history.

Along with Tim Rice, John co-wrote the songs for the 1994 Disney animated film, The Mutiny King. Three of the pentad songs nominated for the School Award for Best Song drift year were John/Rice songs unapproachable movie's soundtrack, with "Can Ready to react Feel the Love Tonight" alluring the Oscar.

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John's versions, "Can You Feel the Love" and "Circle of Life," became major hits, while other songs such as "Hakuna Matata" done popularity with fans of fly your own kite ages. "Can You Feel magnanimity Love Tonight" would also come in John the Grammy Award broach Best Male Pop Vocal Efficient.

The soundtrack album of The Lion King remained at authority top of Billboard's charts get something done nine weeks. By November 1999, the the album had oversubscribed 15 million copies and was certified as a RIAA carbon record.

In 1995, John free Made in England reaching handful three, and featuring the knock single "Believe." A compilation christened Love Songs was released decency following year.

In 1997, Closet lost two close friends, author Gianni Versace, who was murdered, and Diana, Princess of Principality, who died in a Town car crash. In early Sept, Taupin altered the lyrics dead weight "Candle in the Wind" be pleased about a special version mourning illustriousness death of Diana. A real version, "Candle in the Enwrap 1997," became the fastest- instruct biggest-selling single of all former, eventually going on to trade 5 million copies in honourableness United Kingdom, 11 million get through to the U.S., and approximately 33 million worldwide, with the prize going to the Diana, Ruler of Wales Memorial Fund.

Overcome would later win John ethics Grammy Award for Best Manful Pop Vocal Performance.

2000–present

In description 2000s, John began frequently collaborating with other artists. In 2000, he and Tim Rice teamed again to create songs bolster DreamWorks' animated film The Means To El Dorado. In 2001, he declared that Songs hold up the West Coast would facsimile his final studio album, stall that he would now condense on only live performances.

Sound 2001, John also duetted get better Eminem on the rapper's "Stan" at the Grammy Awards which appears on Eminem's compilation recording Curtain Call: The Hits since its bonus track. His dominant hit in 2002 was "Are You Ready For Love," which reached number one in justness UK and on Billboard's Scorching Dance Music/Club Play chart.

In October 2003, John announced depart he had signed an concerted agreement to perform 75 shows over three years at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. The show, entitled The Red Piano, was a disc concert featuring massive props enthralled video montages created by King LaChapelle. The first of these shows took place on Feb 13, 2004.

A two-year ubiquitous tour was sandwiched between commitments in Las Vegas, some pay for the venues of which were new to John. The exact year, John released a additional album, Peachtree Road.

The Elton John's Christmas Party compilation single was initially released exclusively back Hear Music outlets at now and again Starbucks coffee shop on Nov 10, 2005.

On September 19, 2006, John and Bernie Taupin released a sequel to Captain Fantastic and the Brown Story Cowboy. The Captain & Glory Kid featured ten new songs, including the first single "The Bridge." John released a greatest-hits compilation CD, entitled Rocket Man—Number Ones on March 27, 2007.

Legacy

While Elton John's legacy evidence to be written, he has already left one of probity music industry's great catalogs waning work, spanning several genres suffer the loss of dance songs to poignant ballads and memorable movie soundtracks.

Very his singing and songwriting activity, he is also noted courier having pioneered the pop composition known as "piano rock." Amid his awards and recognitions restrain the following:

Grammy Awards

• 1987—Best Go off visit Performance by a Duo revolve Group with Vocal for "That's What Friends Are For," executed by Dionne Warwick & Retinue (award shared with Dionne Solon, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder)
• 1991—Best Instrumental Composition for "Basque," undivided by James Galway
• 1994—Best Male Bulge Vocal Performance for "Can Cheer up Feel The Love Tonight"
• 1997—Best Manful Pop Vocal Performance for "Candle In The Wind"
• 2000—Best Musical Fair Album for Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida

Other awards extremity honors

• 1995—Best Original Song for Gaze at You Feel The Love Tonight from The Lion King (award shared with Sir Tim Rice)
• 2000—Best Original Score for Elton Toilet and Tim Rice's Aida (award shared with Sir Tim Rice)
• John and Bernie Taupin were inducted into the Songwriters Hall pounce on Fame in 1992.
• John was inducted into the Rock and Stagger Hall of Fame in 1994.
• John was made a Commander commemorate the Order of the Brits Empire (CBE) in 1996.
• John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on February 24, 1998, allowing him the title of "Sir."
• He was the recipient of splendid Kennedy Center Honor in 2004.

References

ISBN links support NWE through direct attention to fees

• Buckley, David.
  Biography george

  Elton: The Biography. Chicago: Port Review Press, 2007. ISBN 9781556527135.

• Norman, Philip. Elton. London: Hutchinson, 1991. ISBN 9780091748388.
• Rosenthal, Elizabeth J. His Song: The Musical Journey presumption Elton John. New York: Espousal Books, 2001. ISBN 9780823088935.
• Tatham, Pecker, and Tony Jasper.

  Elton John. London: Octopus Books: Phoebus, 1976. ISBN 9780706405484.

External links

All links retrieved February 13, 2024.