Elton John Biography
As a living legend and one of the best-selling rock artists of all time, Reginald Kenneth Dwight also known as Sir Elton John is compared to names like Madonna and The Beatles. John was born to Stanley and Sheila Dwight on March 25 1947 in Pinner, Middlesex, England, UK, his was a family that followed white collar jobs despite being lovers of music. John was expected to carry on the family tradition by taking up a career that would lead to an office job but from the time he was young it was evident that this would not be so.
For his education John attended the Reddiford School, and was previously a pupil at the Pinner Wood Junior School, for his high school education John attended the Pinner County Grammar School. At school John’s father expected him to perform exceptionally so that his academic credentials would serve to get him the much awaited job but John had other plans to further his interest in music.
With the support of his mother John had been enrolled for piano and singing classes and on his mother’s encouragement he was already a favourite performer at his neighbourhood entertainment spots, in addition to this he had already began writing lyrics to beats on the keyboard.
His breakthrough in the music industry would come in 1964 but not as a solo artist as he was involved in several gigs with a band named Bluesology in addition to being a background singer to other artists as well as composing songs for them. His first solo album was released five years later and was titled Empty Sky, it featured hit singles like ‘Lady Samantha’ and ‘I’ve Been Loving You’. Seeing the success of the fairly new artists recording companies and producers started booking John for gigs with them and soon enough he was writing lyrics for established artists.
Following album releases by John include Caribou, Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, A Single Man, Blue Moves and Victim of Love all in released in the 70’s. Between 1980 and 1989 John released albums like Jump Up!, Leather Jackets, Sleeping with the Past, Breaking Hearts, Ice on Fire and Too Low for Zero.
John has had over 40 hit singles throughout his career and some of them are ‘Little Jeannie’, ‘Candle in the Wind’, ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ and ‘Don't Go Breaking My Heart’. John’s albums have gone in record for grossing millions of dollars and being sold out within weeks of their release and most of them have been ranked platinum or gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, RIAA, his worldwide concerts are attended are attended by thousands and tickets are often sold out within days.
Throughout his career John has been awarded on several occasions for his outstanding contribution to the music industry, in 1994 he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 1998 he was knighted Sir by the Queen of England. John’s memorabilia has been auctioned all over the world for millions of dollars and he has scooped over ten prestigious awards in addition to other music titles, some of his accolades include one Tony Award, one Golden Globe Award, an Academy Award and Six Grammy Awards.
His charity works include campaigning for the awareness of HIV/AIDS and the promotion of testing and safe sex.
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