Elton John
Elton John
John performing at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster,
July 2008.
Background information
Birth name
Reginald Kenneth Dwight
Born
25 March 1947 (1947-03-25)
Pinner, Middlesex, London,
England
Genre(s)
Rock, pop
Occupation(s) Musician, singer-songwriter,
producer
Instrument(s) Vocals, piano, keyboards,
Harp
Years active
1964–present
Label(s)
DJM, Uni, MCA, Geffen,
Rocket/Island, Universal,
Interscope, Mercury, UMG
Website
www.EltonJohn.com
Sir Elton Hercules John CBE[1][2] (born
Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March
1947) is an English singer-songwriter, com-
poser and pianist.
In his four-decade career, John has sold
over 200 million records,[3][4] making him
one of the most successful artists of all time.
He has more than 50 Top 40 hits including
seven consecutive No. 1 U.S. albums, 56 Top
40 singles, 16 Top 10, four No. 2 hits, and
nine No. 1 hits. He has won five Grammy
awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe
Award and a Tony Award. His success has
had a profound impact on popular music and
has contributed to the continued popularity
of the piano in rock and roll. In 2004, Rolling
Stone ranked him #49 on their list of the 100
greatest artists of all time.[5] Some of the
characteristics of John’s musical talent and
work include an ability to quickly craft
melodies for the lyrics of songwriting partner
Bernie Taupin, his former rich tenor (now
baritone) voice, his classical and gospel-influ-
enced piano, the sensitive orchestral ar-
rangements of Paul Buckmaster among oth-
ers, and the on-stage showmanship, espe-
cially evident during the 1970s.
John was inducted into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in 1994. He has been heavily in-
volved in the fight against AIDS since the late
1980s, and was knighted in 1998. He entered
into a civil partnership with David Furnish on
21 December 2005 and continues to be a
champion for LGBT social movements. On 9
April 2008, John held a benefit concert for
Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, rais-
ing $2.5 million.[6]
In 2008, Billboard
magazine released a