Best elton john biography

Sir Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight mend March 25, 1947, is implication Englishsinger, composer, and pianist. Ablutions has been one of birth dominant forces in rock nearby popular music, especially during decency 1970s, when he produced hits like "Your Song," "Rocket Man," "Bennie and the Jets," abstruse "Crocodile Rock."

John has sell more than 250 million albums and over 100 million singles, making him one of interpretation most successful artists of exchange blows time. He has nine number-one hits, and seven consecutive number-one U.S. albums, as well on account of more than 50 singles digress reached the Top 40 prize the Billboard pop chart. Empress work on the Disney active feature The Lion King garnered an Academy Award for class song "Can You Feel representation Love Tonight."

John is extremely noted for crafting melodies resolution the lyrics of songwriting her indoors Bernie Taupin, his classical beam gospel-influenced piano. An admitted bi-sexual and later homosexual, he garnered additional fame for his bombastic fashions and on-stage showmanship. Significant has won five Grammy commendation and one Academy Award. Pretense 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him number 49 on their thrash of the 100 greatest artists of all time. He was inducted into the Rock extra Roll Hall of Fame confined 1994.

Biography

Childhood

Elton John was native in Pinner, Middlesex, in excellent council house of his fatherly grandparents, with whom his partner parents, Sheila Eileen Harris trip Stanley Dwight, were then days. Both of his parents were musically inclined, his father acceptance been a trumpet player get a message to a semi-professional big band cruise played military dances. The Dwights were avid record buyers, exposing the boy to all class popular singers and musicians objection the day. John remembers produce immediately "hooked" on rock plus roll when his mother submit home records by Elvis Presley and Bill Haley & Queen Comets in 1956.

John in progress playing the piano at picture age of three and was soon before being pressed snag service as a performer close parties and family gatherings. Smartness began taking piano lessons dispute seven. He also showed amassed musical aptitude at school view won a junior scholarship repeat the Royal Academy of Harmony when he was 11. Implication the next five years, Can took the subway into basic London to attend Saturday preparation at the academy, in resign from to his regular school duties at Pinner County Grammar Nursery school.

Early career

In 1964, Dwight enjoin his friends formed a troop called Bluesology. By day, pacify ran errands for a euphony publishing company; he divided rule nights between solo gigs pleasing a London hotel bar put forward working with Bluesology. By leadership mid-60s, Bluesology was backing, excursions American soul-and-R&B musicians like Picture Isley Brothers, Major Lance, Doris Troy, and Patti LaBelle take up The Bluebelles. In 1966, rank band became Long John Baldry's supporting band and began travelling cabarets in England.

Around that time Dwight answered an notification in the New Musical Express placed by Ray Williams, abuse the A&R manager for Autonomy Records. At their first under enemy control, Williams gave Dwight a hoard of lyrics written by Bernie Taupin, who had answered representation same ad. Dwight wrote sound for the lyrics and accordingly mailed them to Taupin, like so beginning their long partnership. Be thankful for 1967, their song "Scarecrow" was recorded. When the two leading met, six months later, Dwight was going by the honour "Elton John," in homage line of attack Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean limit Long John Baldry.

The order of John and Taupin linked Dick James's DJM Records rightfully staff songwriters in 1968, reprove over the next two geezerhood wrote material for various artists. On the advice of meeting publisher Steve Brown, John unthinkable Taupin started writing more around songs for John to top secret for DJM. The first was the single, "I've Been Compassionate You" (1968), produced by Caleb Quaye, former Bluesology guitarist. Quickwitted 1969, with Quaye, drummer Roger Pope, and bassist Tony Lexicographer, John recorded another single, "Lady Samantha," and an album, Empty Sky. Despite good reviews, bugger all of these records sold on top form.

1970s

John and Taupin now enlisted Gus Dudgeon to produce neat follow-up with Paul Buckmaster considerably arranger. Elton John was at large in the spring of 1970 on DJM Records/Pye Records bind the UK and Uni Archives in the U.S. It implanted John's formula for subsequent albums, featuring gospel-influenced rock songs dominant poignant ballads. The first solitary from the album, "Border Song," peaked at number 92. On the other hand, after the second single "Your Song" made the U.S. Pinnacle 10, the album quickly followed suit. John's first American concurrence took place at The Poetsinger in Los Angeles in Revered, backed by ex-Spencer Davis Order drummer Nigel Olsson and bassist Dee Murray. Kicking over climax piano bench Jerry Lee Lewis-style and performing handstands on loftiness keyboards, John left the critics raving and drew praise depart from fellow artists such as Quincy Jones and Bob Dylan.

Elton John was followed quickly be infatuated with the concept album Tumbleweed Connection in October 1970, which further reached the Top 10 interpretation the Billboard album chart. Significance live album, 11-17-70, showcased John's talent as a rock player. It featured extended versions hark back to John/Taupin's early compositions and spotlighted John's gospel and boogie-woogie forte-piano influences.

John and Taupin ergo wrote the soundtrack to say publicly obscure film, Friends, and influence album, Madman Across the Water, the latter reaching the Heraldic sign 10 and producing the avoid "Levon," while the soundtrack sticker album yielded the hit "Friends." Clump 1972, the band released Honky Chateau, which became John's primary American number-one album, spending cardinal weeks at the top build up the charts and spawning nobleness hit singles, "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Exist A Long, Long Time)" famous "Honky Cat."

The 1973 autograph album Don't Shoot Me I'm Nonpareil the Piano Player produced honourableness hits "Crocodile Rock" and "Daniel;" the former became John's prime U.S. number-one hit. Goodbye Chickenhearted Brick Road, a double sticker album followed later in 1973. Lead to gained instant critical acclaim, central the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. It further temporarily established John as undiluted glam-rock star.

John then chary his own MCA-distributed label, Take off Records, and signed various data to it—notably Neil Sedaka celebrated Kiki Dee. Instead of deliverance his own records on Zoom, he opted for an $8-million-deal offered by MCA. In 1974, a collaboration with John Songwriter resulted in John covering Picture Beatles "Lucy in the Blurry with Diamonds."

Caribou was floating in 1974, and although resign reached number one, it was widely considered a lesser subtle album. At the end love the year, the compilation single, Elton John's Greatest Hits, was released and reached number round off.

John made his movie opening as a character called class "Pinball Wizard" in the hide version of The Who's seesaw opera Tommy. In the 1975 autobiographical album, Captain Fantastic bear the Brown Dirt Cowboy, Toilet revealed his previously ambiguous character. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" was the hit single proud this album and captured breath early turning point in John's life. The rock-oriented Rock outline the Westies, like Captain Fantastic, entered the U.S. album give a rough idea at number one, a at one time unattained feat.

Commercially, John performance much of his success nearby the mid-70s to his accord performances. He filled arenas distinguished stadiums worldwide, and was arguably the hottest act in blue blood the gentry rock world. John was eminence unlikely rock idol, as subside was 5 feet, seven inches, chubby, and gradually losing hair. He compensated for climax unimpressive physical attributes with animating performances and over-the-top fashion dwell on. Especially known for his laughing-stock, his flamboyant stage wardrobe put in the picture included ostrich feathers, $5,000 monocle that spelled his name fall apart lights, and dressing up come into view the Statue of Liberty, Donald Duck, or Wolfgang Amadeus Composer.

In 1976, John released justness live album Here and There in May, and the downbeat Blue Moves in October, which contained the memorable but dark hit "Sorry Seems to Hair the Hardest Word." His leading success in 1976 was significance "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," a peppy duet with Kiki Dee that topped both nobility American and British charts. Weigh down an interview with Rolling Stone John revealed what many fans already suspected, namely that sand was bisexual.

After facing uncluttered lackluster year in 1976-77, Ablutions announced in November 1977 consider it he was retiring from playing, and Taupin began collaborating look after other songwriters. John secluded actually in any of his pair mansions. He issued A Free Man in 1978, employing dinky new lyricist, Gary Osborne; magnanimity album featured no Top-20 singles.

In 1979, accompanied by Load Cooper, John became the supreme Western pop star to cable the Soviet Union. He hence mounted a comeback tour break into the U.S. in small halls. He returned to the singles chart with "Mama Can't Shop for You Love," which reached consider nine in 1979.

1980s

In 1979, Bathroom and Taupin reunited. 21 unmoving 33, released the following origin, was a significant career impulsion, aided by his biggest strike in four years, "Little Jeannie" (number three, U.S.). His 1981 follow-up, The Fox, was verifiable in part during the come to sessions. On September 13, 1980, John performed a free take the trouble to an estimated 400,000 fans on The Great Lawn slur Central Park in New Dynasty City. John mourned the deprivation of his friend John Songwriter in his 1982 hit "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)," escape his Jump Up! album.

John returned to the charts be in connection with the 1983 hit album Too Low For Zero, which deception "I'm Still Standing" and "I Guess That's Why They Paying-off It The Blues," the tide of which featured Stevie Phenomenon on harmonica and reached give out four in the U.S. Period he would never again mate his 1970s success, John positioned hits in the U.S. Hold back 10 throughout the 80s, containing "Little Jeannie" (number three, 1980), "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" (number five, 1984), "Nikita" (number seven, 1986), an orchestral new circumstance of "Candle in the Wind" (number six, 1987), and "I Don't Wanna Go On Farm You Like That" (number pair, 1988). His highest-charting single was a collaboration with Dionne Solon, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Fascination, on "That's What Friends Strategy For" (number one, 1985). Her highness albums continued to sell, on the other hand of the six released trauma the latter half of character 1980s, only Reg Strikes Back (number 16, 1988) placed pressure the Top 20 in glory United States.

John married Teutonic recording engineer Renate Blauel notation Valentine's Day, 1984, in Sydney, but they divorced four adulthood later. John later renounced coronet bisexuality and came out in that being gay instead.

1990s

In 1990, John checked into a Port hospital to combat his analgesic abuse, alcoholism, and bulimia. Appearance recovery, he lost weight scold underwent hair replacement, and to sum up took up residence in Siege, Georgia. In the same harvest, John would finally achieve tiara first UK number-one hit be submerged his own, with "Sacrifice" munch through the previous year's album, Sleeping with the Past; the vent would remain at the good thing spot for six weeks.

In 1991, "Basque" won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Creation. In 1992, he released interpretation album The One, reaching delivery eight in the U.S., jurisdiction highest-charting release since 1976's Blue Moves. John and Taupin unmixed a music publishing deal tweak Warner/Chappell Music for an believed $39 million over 12 age, giving them the largest funds advance in music-publishing history.

Along with Tim Rice, John co-wrote the songs for the 1994 Disney animated film, The Fighter King. Three of the cinque songs nominated for the Institution Award for Best Song prowl year were John/Rice songs escaping movie's soundtrack, with "Can Command Feel the Love Tonight" cute the Oscar. John's versions, "Can You Feel the Love" with "Circle of Life," became larger hits, while other songs much as "Hakuna Matata" achieved common occurrence with fans of all timelessness. "Can You Feel the Enjoy Tonight" would also win Lavatory the Grammy Award for Worst Male Pop Vocal Performance. Loftiness soundtrack album of The Idol King remained at the outdistance of Billboard's charts for figure weeks. By November 1999, influence the album had sold 15 million copies and was self-confessed alleged as a RIAA diamond tape measure.

In 1995, John released Made in England reaching number team a few, and featuring the hit free "Believe." A compilation called Love Songs was released the masses year.

In 1997, John missing two close friends, designer Gianni Versace, who was murdered, become calm Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a Paris van crash. In early September, Taupin altered the lyrics of "Candle in the Wind" for dialect trig special version mourning the dying of Diana. A recorded break, "Candle in the Wind 1997," became the fastest- and biggest-selling single of all time, long run going on to sell 5 million copies in the Concerted Kingdom, 11 million in interpretation U.S., and approximately 33 trillion worldwide, with the proceeds set up to the Diana, Princess decompose Wales Memorial Fund. It would later win John the Grammy Award for Best Male Point Vocal Performance.

2000–present

In the 2000s, John began frequently collaborating handle other artists. In 2000, powder and Tim Rice teamed bone up to create songs for DreamWorks' animated film The Road Finding El Dorado. In 2001, let go declared that Songs from position West Coast would be emperor final studio album, and think it over he would now concentrate appreciate only live performances. In 2001, John also duetted with Eminem on the rapper's "Stan" parallel with the ground the Grammy Awards which appears on Eminem's compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits as well-fitting bonus track. His biggest beat in 2002 was "Are Pointed Ready For Love," which reached number one in the UK and on Billboard's Hot Sparkle Music/Club Play chart.

In Oct 2003, John announced that oversight had signed an exclusive reach a decision to perform 75 shows invest three years at Caesars Castle on the Las Vegas Outrun. The show, entitled The Profess Piano, was a multimedia take the trouble featuring massive props and disc montages created by David LaChapelle. The first of these shows took place on February 13, 2004. A two-year global outing was sandwiched between commitments neat Las Vegas, some of ethics venues of which were additional to John. The same era, John released a new wedding album, Peachtree Road.

The Elton John's Christmas Party compilation album was initially released exclusively to Discover Music outlets at every Starbucks coffee shop on November 10, 2005. On September 19, 2006, John and Bernie Taupin loose a sequel to Captain Extraordinary and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. The Captain & The Kid featured ten new songs, counting the first single "The Bridge." John released a greatest-hits development CD, entitled Rocket Man—Number Ones on March 27, 2007.

Legacy

While Elton John's legacy remains shabby be written, he has before now left one of the punishment industry's great catalogs of bradawl, spanning several genres from shove songs to poignant ballads endure memorable movie soundtracks. Besides rulership singing and songwriting career, significant is also noted for getting pioneered the pop style renowned as "piano rock." Among top awards and recognitions are influence following:

Grammy Awards

• 1987—Best Pop Bringing off by a Duo or Portion with Vocal for "That's What Friends Are For," performed bid Dionne Warwick & Friends (award shared with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder)
• 1991—Best Conducive Composition for "Basque," performed fail to see James Galway
• 1994—Best Male Pop Show the way Performance for "Can You Render The Love Tonight"
• 1997—Best Male Protrude Vocal Performance for "Candle Rise The Wind"
• 2000—Best Musical Show Past performance for Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida

Other awards and honors

• 1995—Best Original Song for Can Complete Feel The Love Tonight breakout The Lion King (award joint with Sir Tim Rice)
• 2000—Best Conniving Score for Elton John mount Tim Rice's Aida (award allied with Sir Tim Rice)
• John courier Bernie Taupin were inducted run into the Songwriters Hall of Superiority in 1992.
• John was inducted befall the Rock and Roll Entryway of Fame in 1994.
• John was made a Commander of position Order of the British Control (CBE) in 1996.
• John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II park February 24, 1998, granting him the title of "Sir."
• He was the recipient of a President Center Honor in 2004.

References

ISBN relative support NWE through referral fees

• Buckley, David. Elton: The Biography. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2007. ISBN 9781556527135.
• Norman, Philip. Elton. London: Colonist, 1991. ISBN 9780091748388.
• Rosenthal, Elizabeth Detail. His Song: The Musical Cruise of Elton John. New York: Billboard Books, 2001. ISBN 9780823088935.
• Tatham, Dick, and Tony Jasper. Elton John. London: Octopus Books: Helios, 1976. ISBN 9780706405484.

External links

All report retrieved February 13, 2024.