Elton John - Gays, Family and Childhood
Elton John's Personal Details
Elton John is the one of the most celebrated English singers and composers of the 20th century
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | March 25, 1947 |
| Nationality | British |
| Famous | Alcoholics, Gays, School Dropouts, Pianists, Composers, Singers, ESFJ |
| Spouses | Renate Blauel |
| Siblings | Geoff Dwight, Robert Dwight, Simon Dwight, Stan Dwight |
| Known as | Sir Elton Hercules John, Reginald Kenneth Dwight, Elton Hercules John |
| Childrens | Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John |
| Universities |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Birth Place | Pinner, United Kingdom |
| Height | 172 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Stanley Dwight |
| Mother | Sheila Eileen Dwight |
| Net Worth | $309 Million |
| Sun Sign | Aries |
| Born in | Pinner, United Kingdom |
| Famous as | Singer |
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Elton John's photo
Who is Elton John?
In the world of rock and pop music, if there is one name that resonates magic it has to be that of Sir Elton John. An English singer, pianist, and composer, Elton John continues to weave magic in his compositions and lyrics backing them up with his soulful renditions. His five decades of career has been historic and record-breaking quite literally. With over 300 million records sold, he is one of the best-selling music artists in the world. He has some quite unattainable feats under his belt—seven consecutive No. 1 US albums, 58 Billboard Top 40 singles, 27 Top 10, four No. 2 and nine No. 1 songs. For 31 consecutive years, i.e. from 1970 until 2000, he had at least one song in the Billboard Hot 100. He has to his credit more than fifty Top 40 hits and that is not all. His tribute to Princess Diana, ‘Candle in the Wind 1997’, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts even today. And if you think that is all that Elton John has for you, wait. Apart from being a noteworthy English singer and pianist, he is also a well renowned composer, produce and even actor.
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Childhood & Early Life
Elton John was born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, to Stanley Dwight and Sheila Eileen.
He gained his education from Pinner Wood Junior School, Reddiford School and Pinner County Grammar School. However, he left studies before A-Level examinations to pursue a career in music.
He started playing piano at an early age, and at the age of 11, he won a junior scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. Such were his abilities that he started composing music at an early age. Elton studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London for five years.
Career
Elton John’s first job was as a weekend pianist at a pub. Thereafter, he took up several roles, forming a band with friends, working in a music publishing house, performing solo at hotels. In 1962, he formed the band Bluesology.
In 1967, he collaborated with lyricist Bernie Taupin. He wrote musical compositions for the latter’s lyrics. This led to the beginning of the historic partnership that still survives today. ‘Scarecrow’ was the first song recorded by the two. Meanwhile, Dwight changed his name to Elton John after Bluesology musicians.
In 1968, Elton John and Taupin became successful staff songwriters for DJM Records. They were writing and composing song for other singers and musicians. Starting off with easy lyrics and catchy music, they switched to more complex forms.
In 1969, Elton John received his first break as a singer and came up with his debut album ‘Empty Sky’. He soon backed it with a follow-up album, ‘Elton John’ that was released in April 1970. The album soon became his first hit album, reaching number four on the US Billboard 200 and number five on the UK Albums Chart.
The tremendous success of Elton John’s second album gave him impetus to continue making music. Consequently, in 1972, he released ‘Honky Château’, which went on to become his first US number one album. This was just the beginning as what followed was a streak of seven consecutive US number one albums.
His first song to reach the US Billboard Hot 100 number one position was ‘Crocodile Rock’ from the pop album ‘Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player’. His 1973 album ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ gained a cult status as it was an instant hit both critically and popularly. The album established his reputation as a glam rock star.
Having gained a star status, he formed his own label, The Rocket Record Company. However, instead of releasing his own records on Rocket, he signed an offer with MCA.
In 1974, MCA released his Greatest Hits album, a UK and US number one, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA. This was followed by 1974 ‘Caribou’ and the 1975 autobiographical album ‘Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy’. It debuted at number one in the US, becoming the first album ever to do so. Its success was soon repeated by the rock-oriented album, ‘Rock of the Westies’.
Though early 1970s was the most successful period for John, both commercially and critically, given his seven consecutive albums reached number one spot in the US, John became equally famous for his live shows and his dressing sense. He was known for wearing pompous, over-the-top costumes and glasses for his elaborate concerts.
In 1976, John touched the top yet again with the duet single ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ with Kiki Dee. He took a hiatus from the music industry only to return in 1978 with the album ‘A Single Man’. Following year, he became the one of the first Western artists to tour in Soviet Union and Israel.
The decade of 1980s was a decent period in John’s career. Though he had lost his Midas touch in music, thanks to his drinking and drug problems, all was not gone. He produced several smash hits during this time including ‘Little Jeannie’ ‘Empty Garden (Hey Hey Thanks)’, ‘I’m Still Standing’, ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’ and ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ which reached No 1 spot in US. He performed several live shows during this time.
He opened the decade of 1990 in style with his first single ‘Sacrifice’ hitting the number one spot in UK charts. It became his first solo UK hit single. Following a series of hit singles and albums, he tried his hand at other fields.
Together with Tim Rice, he wrote the songs for the 1994 Disney animated film ‘The Lion King’. The score was immensely lauded and even went on to win him his first Academy Award for ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’.
Elton John performed ‘Candle in the Wind 1997’ at the funeral of Princess Diana. It became the fastest and biggest-selling single of all time, eventually selling over 33 million copies worldwide. It was the best-selling single in UK Chart history, the best-selling single in Billboard history and the only single ever certified Diamond in the United States.
In 2003, Elton John scored his fifth UK number one single with ‘Are You Ready for Love’. Returning to musical theatre, he composed music for a West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical in 2005 with playwright Lee Hall. Opening to strong reviews, the show became eleventh longest-running musical in West End history. It has won 80 international awards and has been viewed by over 5.25 million people in London and nearly 11 million people worldwide.
The decade of 2010s has seen Elton John perform for a variety of shows. He has his hands full with concert shows, live performances, remix albums, performances at award ceremonies and so on.
In 2016, he came up with his 32nd studio album ‘Wonderful Crazy’ which was also his last one.
Major Works
The decade of 1970s was the most successful period for John, as his seven consecutive albums reached number one spot in the US, beginning with ‘Honky Château’, ‘Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player’, ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ and so on. Six of his albums made it to the Rolling Stone’s list of ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time’. Three of his albums from this period gained five stars from Allmusic.
Interestingly Elton John’s tribute single dedicated to the late Princess Diana, titled ‘Candle in the Wind 1997’ is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts. It sold over 33 million copies worldwide.
Awards & Achievements
Elton John received the 1995 Academy Award for Best Original Song for ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’.
Of the multiple nominations at the Grammy Awards, John won it five times in various categories. He also won Tony Award in 2000 for Best Original Music Score for ‘Aida’. He has also received five Brit Awards. In 2013, John received the first Brits Icon award.
He was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Elton John was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1995. Later in 1998, he was made Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II
He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal Life & Legacy
Elton John married Renate Blauel in February 1984. The two parted ways four years later.
In 1988, he came out as gay and in 1993, he begain a relationship with David Furnish.
In 2005, when the Civil Partnership Act came into force, Elton John and David Furnish were amongst the first couples in the UK to form a civil partnership.
In 2014, when gay marriage became legal, John and Furnish got married on December 21, 2014. They have two children through surrogacy, Zachary Furnish-John and Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John.
In 1992, John founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation as a charity to fund programmes for HIV/AIDS prevention. The aim of the foundation is to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-affected individuals, and providing services to people living with or at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
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Elton John's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Academy Awards(Oscars) | ||
| 1995 | Best Music, Original Song | The Lion King (1994) |
Golden Globe Awards | ||
| 1995 | Best Original Song - Motion Picture | The Lion King (1994) |
Grammy Awards | ||
| 1995 | Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | The Lion King (1994) |
Elton John biography timelines
- // 25th Mar 1947Elton John was born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, to Stanley Dwight and Sheila Eileen.
- // 1962Elton John’s first job was as a weekend pianist at a pub. Thereafter, he took up several roles, forming a band with friends, working in a music publishing house, performing solo at hotels. In 1962, he formed the band Bluesology.
- // 1967In 1967, he collaborated with lyricist Bernie Taupin. He wrote musical compositions for the latter’s lyrics. This led to the beginning of the historic partnership that still survives today. ‘Scarecrow’ was the first song recorded by the two. Meanwhile, Dwight changed his name to Elton John after Bluesology musicians.
- // 1968In 1968, Elton John and Taupin became successful staff songwriters for DJM Records. They were writing and composing song for other singers and musicians. Starting off with easy lyrics and catchy music, they switched to more complex forms.
- // 1969 To Apr 1970In 1969, Elton John received his first break as a singer and came up with his debut album ‘Empty Sky’. He soon backed it with a follow-up album, ‘Elton John’ that was released in April 1970. The album soon became his first hit album, reaching number four on the US Billboard 200 and number five on the UK Albums Chart.
- // 1970Though early 1970s was the most successful period for John, both commercially and critically, given his seven consecutive albums reached number one spot in the US, John became equally famous for his live shows and his dressing sense. He was known for wearing pompous, over-the-top costumes and glasses for his elaborate concerts.
- // 1970The decade of 1970s was the most successful period for John, as his seven consecutive albums reached number one spot in the US, beginning with ‘Honky Château’, ‘Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player’, ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ and so on. Six of his albums made it to the Rolling Stone’s list of ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time’. Three of his albums from this period gained five stars from Allmusic.
- // 1972The tremendous success of Elton John’s second album gave him impetus to continue making music. Consequently, in 1972, he released ‘Honky Château’, which went on to become his first US number one album. This was just the beginning as what followed was a streak of seven consecutive US number one albums.
- // 1973His first song to reach the US Billboard Hot 100 number one position was ‘Crocodile Rock’ from the pop album ‘Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player’. His 1973 album ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ gained a cult status as it was an instant hit both critically and popularly. The album established his reputation as a glam rock star.
- // 1974 To 1974In 1974, MCA released his Greatest Hits album, a UK and US number one, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA. This was followed by 1974 ‘Caribou’ and the 1975 autobiographical album ‘Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy’. It debuted at number one in the US, becoming the first album ever to do so. Its success was soon repeated by the rock-oriented album, ‘Rock of the Westies’.
- // 1976 To 1978In 1976, John touched the top yet again with the duet single ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ with Kiki Dee. He took a hiatus from the music industry only to return in 1978 with the album ‘A Single Man’. Following year, he became the one of the first Western artists to tour in Soviet Union and Israel.
- // 1980The decade of 1980s was a decent period in John’s career. Though he had lost his Midas touch in music, thanks to his drinking and drug problems, all was not gone. He produced several smash hits during this time including ‘Little Jeannie’ ‘Empty Garden (Hey Hey Thanks)’, ‘I’m Still Standing’, ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’ and ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ which reached No 1 spot in US. He performed several live shows during this time.
- // Feb 1984Elton John married Renate Blauel in February 1984. The two parted ways four years later.
- // 1988 To 1993In 1988, he came out as gay and in 1993, he begain a relationship with David Furnish.
- // 1990He opened the decade of 1990 in style with his first single ‘Sacrifice’ hitting the number one spot in UK charts. It became his first solo UK hit single. Following a series of hit singles and albums, he tried his hand at other fields.
- // 1992In 1992, John founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation as a charity to fund programmes for HIV/AIDS prevention. The aim of the foundation is to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-affected individuals, and providing services to people living with or at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
- // 1994Together with Tim Rice, he wrote the songs for the 1994 Disney animated film ‘The Lion King’. The score was immensely lauded and even went on to win him his first Academy Award for ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’.
- // 1995Elton John received the 1995 Academy Award for Best Original Song for ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’.
- // 1995 To 1998Elton John was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1995. Later in 1998, he was made Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II
- // 1997Elton John performed ‘Candle in the Wind 1997’ at the funeral of Princess Diana. It became the fastest and biggest-selling single of all time, eventually selling over 33 million copies worldwide. It was the best-selling single in UK Chart history, the best-selling single in Billboard history and the only single ever certified Diamond in the United States.
- // 1997Interestingly Elton John’s tribute single dedicated to the late Princess Diana, titled ‘Candle in the Wind 1997’ is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts. It sold over 33 million copies worldwide.
- // 2000 To 2013Of the multiple nominations at the Grammy Awards, John won it five times in various categories. He also won Tony Award in 2000 for Best Original Music Score for ‘Aida’. He has also received five Brit Awards. In 2013, John received the first Brits Icon award.
- // 2003 To 2005In 2003, Elton John scored his fifth UK number one single with ‘Are You Ready for Love’. Returning to musical theatre, he composed music for a West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical in 2005 with playwright Lee Hall. Opening to strong reviews, the show became eleventh longest-running musical in West End history. It has won 80 international awards and has been viewed by over 5.25 million people in London and nearly 11 million people worldwide.
- // 2005In 2005, when the Civil Partnership Act came into force, Elton John and David Furnish were amongst the first couples in the UK to form a civil partnership.
- // 2010The decade of 2010s has seen Elton John perform for a variety of shows. He has his hands full with concert shows, live performances, remix albums, performances at award ceremonies and so on.
- // 2014 To 21st Dec 2014In 2014, when gay marriage became legal, John and Furnish got married on December 21, 2014. They have two children through surrogacy, Zachary Furnish-John and Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John.
- // 2016In 2016, he came up with his 32nd studio album ‘Wonderful Crazy’ which was also his last one.
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Elton John's FAQ
What is Elton John birthday?
Elton John was born at 1947-03-25
Where is Elton John's birth place?
Elton John was born in Pinner, United Kingdom
What is Elton John nationalities?
Elton John's nationalities is British
Who is Elton John spouses?
Elton John's spouses is Renate Blauel
Who is Elton John siblings?
Elton John's siblings is Geoff Dwight, Robert Dwight, Simon Dwight, Stan Dwight
Who is Elton John childrens?
Elton John's childrens is Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John
What was Elton John universities?
Elton John studied at Royal Academy of Music, Pinner County Grammar School
Which company or organization was founded by Elton John?
Elton John was the founder/co-founder of Elton John AIDS Foundation, Rocket Records, Rocket Pictures
How tall is Elton John?
Elton John's height is 172
Who is Elton John's father?
Elton John's father is Stanley Dwight
Who is Elton John's mother?
Elton John's mother is Sheila Eileen Dwight
What is Elton John's sun sign?
Elton John is Aries
How famous is Elton John?
Elton John is famouse as Singer