[Reginald.]
Reginald Kenneth Dwight, born on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, is a songwriter, composer, and performer known by his stage name, Elton John. At the age of four, Reggie Dwight taught himself how to play the piano, and at the age of 11, he received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music for being a prodigy. He attended the academy but dropped off two weeks before graduation to pursue a musical career. He is the only child of Sheila Farebrother, who introduced him to rock music by bringing home records, and the eldest son of Stanley Dwight, a high-ranking officer in the Royal Air Force.
[Elton.]
The singer adopted his stage name in 1967 by incorporating the middle name of Bluesology’s vocalist, Long John Baldry, and the first name of the saxophonist, Elton Dean. In 1972, he added 'Hercules' as his middle name, after the character of a horse in a British sitcom he was a fan of. John formally debuted as a singer in 1969 when he released his first album, Empty Sky, which featured songs written by his lifetime career partner Taupin. The album didn't chart, but his self-titled album 'Elton John,' which followed in 1979, became a hit, and his career skyrocketed.
[Partnership.]
In the late 1960s, Elton John teamed up with Bernie Taupin, whom he met through an ad in New Musical Express, to form a songwriting partnership responsible for more than 35 gold and 25 platinum albums, 30 consecutive U.S. Top 40 hits, have sold more than 255 million records worldwide, and hold the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, Candle In The Wind ’97, with more than 33 million copies sold. Together they produced over 300 songs featuring a blend of rock and roll, pop, and classical elements. Their work earned them five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, and induction into the 'Songwriters Hall of Fame.' From 1967 they developed a remote working relationship where they would never sit in the same room and write together. They only really ever [worked side by side] once or twice, which they have stated was a good formula for them. In 1976, after releasing the album ' Blue Moves,' and being burnt out from the last decade's demand, they separated, reuniting in the next two years for the rest of their career. The pair considers the song 'We All Fall in Love Sometimes' from the 1975 biographical album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy the best description of their relationship and their 'experiences of being able to make songs and make it big.' He considers Bernie, the person he has been looking for his entire life, his 'little soul mate.'
[Philanthropy.]
Beyond his music, Elton John is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has worked to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which he founded in 1992, a few years after Ryan White's death. In recognition of his contributions to music and charity, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.
[Personal life.]
Elton John has been in a relationship with David Furnish since they met in 1993. The couple had a civil partnership ceremony in 2005 and legally married in 2014 following the legalization of same-sex marriage in England. They have two sons, Zachary and Elijah, who were conceived through surrogacy. The family resides in both London and Los Angeles. Elton was previously engaged to Linda Hannon in 1970 and married Renate Blauel, with whom he stayed for four years from 1983 to 1987. Though it was hidden, John had a relationship with John Reid for five years, who later managed the singer's career from 1973 to 1998.
[Awards]
Elton John and Tupin won several awards in all four major American performing art categories - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony which honor outstanding achievements in television, recording, film, and Broadway theatre. He also received recognition for Best Original Song at the Golden Globes, among several honorable awards.
[Latest.]
In 2018, John announced his retirement from touring. His last show of the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour was in June 2023.
History doesn't sit still.