Biography at-a-glance
SIR ELTON HERCULES JOHN, (Knighted 1998.) Born Pinner, Middlesex, England, March 25, 1947, Reginald Kenneth Dwight. Son of late Stanley Dwight and of Sheila (now Farebrother), changed name to Elton Hercules John.Married Renate Blauel, Feb 14, 1984 (Dissolved Nov. 18, 1988), Civil Partnership with David Furnish, December 21, 2005. Student, Royal Academy of Music, London, 1959-64.
Singer, songwriter, musician, began playing piano 1951, joined group Bluesology, 1965-67. Since 1969 has toured across the world consistently as a solo performer and with the Elton John band.
Film (appearance): Tommy, 1975.
Films (voice): The Lion King, 1994, The Road to El Dorado, 2000.
Appearances: Live Aid, 1985, Freddie Mercury Tribute concert, 1992, Live 8, 2005.
Composer: (Broadway musical) The Lion King, 1998 (6 Tony Awards); Aida, 2000 (Tony Award for Best Original Score); Lestat, 2006. (West End Musical) Billy Elliot the Musical, 2005 (Olivier Award for Best Musical).
Composer: (albums) Empty Sky, 1969; Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection, 1970; 11.17.70, Friends, Madman Across The Water, 1971; Honky Chateau, 1972; Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, 1973; Caribou, Greatest Hits, 1974; Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, Rock of the Westies, 1975; Here and There, Blue Moves, 1976; Greatest Hits Volume II, 1977; A Single Man, 1978; Victim of Love, 1979; 21 at 33, 1980; The Fox, 1981; Jump Up, 1982; Too Low for Zero, 1983; Breaking Hearts, 1984; Ice on Fire, 1985; Leather Jackets, 1986; Live in Australia, 1987; Reg Strikes Back, 1988; Sleeping With the Past, 1989; To Be Continued, 1990; The One, 1992; Duets, 1993; Made in England, 1995; Love Songs, 1996; The Big Picture, 1997; Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, The Muse, 1999; One Night Only, 2000; Songs From the West Coast, 2001; Greatest Hits 1970 – 2002, 2002; Peachtree Road, 2004; The Captain & The Kid, 2006; Rocket Man- Number Ones, 2007.
Composer music (film): The Lion King 1994 (Best Original Song Acad. Award for Can You Feel the Love Tonight?) The Road to El Dorado, 2000.
Chairman of Watford Football Club, 1976-90, president, 1990-.
Established Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992.
Patron – IAVI (International AIDS Vaccine Initiative), Patron – Terrence Higgins Trust, Patron – The Globe Theatre, Patron – Amnesty International, Scholarship Fund – Royal Academy of Music, Chairman – Old Vic Trust.
Awards include Best British Male Artist Brit Award 1991, inducted into Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, 1994, 5 Grammy Award 1986-2000, Grammy Legend Award, 2001, Kennedy Center Honor, 2004, 11 Ivor Novello Awards, 1973 – 2000.
Achievements include: first popular Western singer to perform in USSR, 1979; playing to over 2 million people across 4 continents, 1984-86. Made Commander of the Order of the British Empire, 1996; received knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, February 24, 1998. Released biggest selling single of all time, Candle In The Wind 1997 (over 33,000,000 copies sold), 1997. Received Honorary Doctorate, Royal Academy of Music, 2002, became Fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters and Composers, 2004.
Co-written many international hit songs with Bernie Taupin (and others) including Your Song, Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, Daniel, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Candle In The Wind, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me, Philadelphia Freedom, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (duet with Kiki Dee), Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word, The Bitch IS Back, Song For Guy, I Guess That’s Why The Call the Blues, I’m Still Standing, Nikita, Blue Eyes, Sacrifice, Circle of Life, Are You Ready For Love, I Want Love, Electricity.
