John, Elton (1947-…), is an English pop singer, composer, and pianist who made unusual eyeglasses and flashy costumes his trademarks. His melodic songs, superb piano playing, and showmanship in concerts have made him one of the most successful performers of his time.
John was born on March 25, 1947, in Pinner in Middlesex, England. His real name was Reginald Kenneth Dwight. He began his musical career playing piano in an English hotel. In 1967, John started a long collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin. The team created many hit songs, including “Candle in the Wind” (1973), which was written as a tribute to the American actress Marilyn Monroe. John performed an updated version called “Candle in the Wind 1997” at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in an automobile accident. The recording of the new version became the biggest seller in music history.
John’s other hits include “Your Song” (1970); “Friends” (1971); “Daniel,” “Rocket Man,” and “Crocodile Rock” (all 1972); “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (all 1973); “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (1974); “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” and “Island Girl” (all 1975); “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (duet with Kiki Dee, 1976); “Mama Can’t Buy You Love” (1979); “I’m Still Standing” (1983); “Sacrifice” and “Healing Hands” (both 1990); and “True Love” (duet with Kiki Dee, 1993). John has won a number of Grammy Awards for his music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
John appeared in the motion picture Tommy (1975). His 1979 concert in Moscow was filmed as From Elton with Love. In 1995, John and lyricist Tim Rice won an Academy Award for best original song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from the animated motion picture The Lion King (1994). In 2020, John and Taupin won an Academy Award for best original song for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from a motion picture based on John’s life, Rocketman (2019).
John won a Tony Award for composing the score for the stage musical Aida (1999). He also composed the score for the stage musical Billy Elliott: The Musical (2005).
In March 2020, John hosted the iHeart Living Room Concert for America from his home in Los Angeles. The benefit concert raised funds for two U.S. charities responding to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. The online concert featured prerecorded concerts from a number of artists performing from their homes.
John is among relatively few performers who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards. In 2024, he won an Emmy Award for his live streamed concert film, Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium. Streaming technology enables people to listen to or view media while it is being transmitted. The film captures John’s 2022 farewell concert in Los Angeles. He retired from touring in 2023.
John was knighted in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth II for his charity work. He wrote the memoir Me (2019).
