Elton John

British singer, songwriter and musician

Sir Elton Hercules John CH CBE[1][2] (birth name Reginald Kenneth Dwight, born 25 March 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist and composer. He started his music career immediately after leaving school.[3] Elton John was the biggest music star of the 1970s.[4]


Elton John

John at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival
Born
Reginald Kenneth Dwight

(1947-03-25) 25 March 1947 (age 77)
Pinner, Middlesex, England
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • pianist
  • composer
Years active1962–present
Spouse(s)
Renate Blauel
(m. 1984; div. 1988)

(m. 2014)
Children2
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
Labels
Websiteeltonjohn.com
Website@Elton_Johns

Early life

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Reginald Kenneth Dwight was born at 55 Pinner Hill Road, Pinner, Middlesex. He is the eldest child of Stanley Dwight and Sheila Eileen.[5] He was educated in Pinner.

Career

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John became famous in the early 1970s when he and lyricist Bernie Taupin wrote several songs which he performed and recorded. John became a huge star, not only for his musical abilities, but for his flamboyant stage personality. He composed several musicals. He also composed the music for the animated movies The Lion King (1994) and The Road to El Dorado (2000). He is active in charity work. In 1997, in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales, John co-wrote and released a version of his hit Candle in the Wind. That became the world's best-selling single of all time. It sold 37 million copies within two months.[source?]

Outside of music, John has raised millions of pounds for people living with HIV and AIDS through the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Awards

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John has received the following awards:

Academy Awards

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Grammy Awards

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Tony Awards

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  • 2000: Best Original Musical Score for Aida

Personal life

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John has had treatment for alcoholism, drug abuse and bulimia nervosa.[6] In 1984, he was married to Renate Blauel. In 2005, John entered a civil partnership with David Furnish. They had been together for over 16 years.[7] On 21 December 2014, John and Furnish married. Guests at their wedding included English former footballer David Beckham along with his wife Victoria Beckham and their younger sons and their daughter. Their eldest son, who is also John's godson, was not present.[8]

Discography

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Studio albums

References

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  1. "Change of Name". The London Gazette. No. 45571. 11 January 1972. p. 403.
  2. "New year honours". BBC News. The British Broadcasting Corporation. 1997-12-31. Retrieved 2009-08-07. KNIGHTS BACHELOR ...Elton Hercules John, CBE. Musician and Composer. For services to Music and for charitable services.
  3. "Elton John's biography on eltonjohn.com". Archived from the original on 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  4. "A biography of Elton John". Archived from the original on 2009-04-13. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  5. "Birthplace of Elton John goes up for sale". Harrow Times. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  6. Rolling Stone
  7. Briggs, Caroline (21 December 2005). "Sir Elton celebrates his big day". BBC. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  8. Barbara Miller (2014-12-21). "Sir Elton John marries partner David Furnish in ceremony at their home". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2014-12-21.