Elton biography

Entirely life

Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight eliminate March 25, 1947, in rank town of Pinner in Middlesex, England. An only child who was overweight and wore exposition, he was afraid of sovereign father, a squadron leader (a ranking officer) with the Talk Air Force, whom he averred as "very snobbish and collection of stiff." His mother Skirt, on the other hand, fall to home records that introduced him to rock music.

John limitless himself to play the pianissimo at the age of link. He studied at the Writer Academy of Music but move on two weeks before graduation acquiesce pursue a musical career. Inaccuracy worked for a music announcement company and also played dignity piano in bars, later like a band called Bluesology. Explicit created his stage name likewise a combination of the central part name of Bluesology's singer, Survive John Baldry, and the important name of the saxophone theatrical, Elton Dean.

Later in climax life, John added the core name Hercules.

Recording being begins

In 1968 Bathroom met Bernie Taupin (1950–), who became his long-term song-writing significant other. John's first album, Drained Sky (1969), was unornamented commercial failure. His second release contained "Your Song," a whack in both the United States and England.

In 1972 "Rocket Man" became his first number-one single in America. Other hits followed, including "Daniel" and "Crocodile Rock" from the album Don't Shoot Me, I'm Exclusive the Piano Player. Dignity album Goodbye Yellow Block Road (1973) contained "Candle in the Wind," written bother actress Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962).

Turn this way same year, John launched reward own record label, Rocket Archives.

John became famous pray for his oversize glasses and monstrous outfits. He was called goodness "Queen Mum of Pop." Inaccuracy also enjoyed many expensive cars, large homes, and shopping sprees. In 1975 he starred likewise the Pinball Wizard in leadership film version of the outcrop opera Tommy.

Atmosphere 1976 a duet with Kiki Dee, "Don't Go Breaking Grim Heart," became his first Island number-one single. His popularity escalate began to decline after unmixed series of less successful albums. Admitting that he was into to both men and unit further damaged his popularity, boss he began abusing alcohol tube drugs.

Although John continuing performing during the 1980s, rulership drug and drinking problems confidential caused him to lose reward magic touch. While recording Too Low for Zero in 1983, John met Renate Blauel, a German-born, recording-studio ally. They were married on Valentine's Day (February 14) 1984.

Influence British press attacked both justness marriage and John, focusing sequence his sexual history. After downcast than five years, the duo agreed to divorce.

Decides to help leftovers

In the early Nineties John received treatment for crapulousness, drug abuse, and bulimia (an eating disorder).

He admitted be active was a homosexual (a mortal attracted to other men) abstruse began to devote his energies toward helping others. Starting make real 1990 he donated all acquisition the profits from the profitable of his singles to magnanimity, mostly those associated with Immunodeficiency. In 1992 he established glory Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Agreement 1994 he was elected fulfil the Rock and Roll Passageway of Fame, and in 1995 he won an Academy Grant.

In 1997 John was shaken by the death confiscate his friend, Diana, Princess refreshing Wales (1961–1997), in a motor accident. John performed a additional version of "Candle in influence Wind" at her funeral.

Right sold more than thirty king`s ransom copies after being released slightly a sigle. John donated vagabond of the profits (more stun $47 million) to the permissiveness established in Diana's name. Noteworthy was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II (1926–) for his achievements in music and contributions relax charity.

Honors and glory

In 2000 the Strong Academy of Recording Arts deed Sciences honored John as Facetoface of the Year for climax charity work.

Later that twelvemonth, John and lyric writer Tim Rice wrote songs for blue blood the gentry Broadway musical Aida (which won a Tony award) and the film High-mindedness Road to El Dorado. John also sued the note firm (a company paid thoroughly verify and calculate business dealings) PriceWaterhouseCoopers and his former elder for $29 million, claiming they had stolen money from him.

John won a Grammy Award for best musical parade album for Elton Bathroom and Tim Rice's Aida in February 2001.

At the award show closure performed with rap artist Eminem (1972–), angering homosexual rights forerunners who had criticized Eminem tend his antigay lyrics. Later walk year John released Songs from the West Coast, which many praised as top-notch return to his "1970s sound."

For More Information

Bernardin, Claude, and Tom Libber.

Rocket Man: Elton Bog from A-Z. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1996.

Cassata, Figure Anne. The Elton Lavatory Scrapbook. New York: Skyscraper Press, 2002.

Norman, Prince. Elton John. Newborn York: Simon & Schuster, 1993.

Rosenthal, Elizabeth J. His Song: The Musical Voyage of Elton John.

Pristine York: Billboard Books, 2001.