Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, KBE, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, is one of the most successful British pop singers, composers, and musicians. Musical careerBorn in Pinner, Middlesex, England, Elton John was educated at Pinner County Grammar School and the Royal Academy of Music, to which he won a scholarship at the age of 11. Working in a band called Bluesology throughout the mid to late 1960s, Dwight changed his name by deed poll in homage to his fellow "Bluesologists" Elton Dean (saxophonist) and singer Long John Baldry. He scored his first international hits in 1970 with his eponymous second album, which included one of his best-loved songs, "Your Song". His success can partly be attributed to his collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin, who has provided the words to John's music for most of his career. He went on to become one of the most successful recording artists of the 1970s, with globally-successful singles including "Rocket Man", "Crocodile Rock", "Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting)", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", and "Bennie and the Jets". His biggest 1980s hits included, among others, "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues", "I'm Still Standing", and a 1986 live recording of "Candle in the Wind" which he recorded with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The song, which was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, was originally recorded in 1973 on his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. In 1997, he updated the lyrics of "Candle in the Wind" for a special version mourning the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and this became the fastest selling single of all time. In 1992 he performed "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "The Show Must Go On" with Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert, an AIDS charity event held at Wembley Stadium, London. He has also done work both for and in films. In 1971, he wrote original songs for the movie Friends. In 1975, he appeared as the Pinball Wizard in the movie version of the rock opera Tommy. Then, in 1994, he (along with Tim Rice) wrote the songs for the Disney animated film The Lion King (John and Rice subsequently won a Best Original Song Oscar for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"). Rice was reportedly stunned by the rapidity with which John was able to set his words to music. Five years later, John wrote the score for The Muse, and a year later composed songs for another animated film, DreamWorks' The Road to El Dorado. In 2001, his 1970s hit, "Tiny Dancer" was featured on the Almost Famous soundtrack, and his most recent movie song was "The Heart of Every Girl" (the end title song from 2003's Mona Lisa Smile). In each of 30 consecutive years, from 1970 through 1999, John appeared with at least one single on the "Top 40" of Billboard magazine's pop record chart, the "Hot 100" - a feat unmatched by any other recording artist. In 2003, he reached number one in the United Kingdom with a rerelease of the single "Are You Ready For Love" which had been only a minor hit when first released in 1979. In 2004, John expanded his musical theatre repertoire by composing songs for the musical adaptation of Billy Elliot. Later in December of that same year, John received the Kennedy Center Honor for a lifetime of contribution to entertainment. He continues to release new material to commercial success, and tours extensively, despite being fitted with a pacemaker. His face-to-face tours with fellow pianist Billy Joel have been a fan favourite throughout the world since the mid-1990s. Personal lifeJohn has had a complicated personal history. Coming out first as bisexual in 1976, he married (1984) and quickly divorced (1988) Renate Blauel. He subsequently stated that he was gay and has lived with his partner David Furnish for a number of years. He has occasionally battled addictions to cocaine and financial difficulties caused by his profligate spending. In 1976 Elton John became involved in Watford Football Club and fulfilled a childhood dream by becoming chairman and director. He resigned in 2002 when the club needed a full time chairman. He remains lifelong president. John has long been associated with AIDS charities after the death of his friend Ryan White, raising large amounts of money and using his public profile to raise awareness of the disease. For example, in 1986 he joined with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder to record the single "That's What Friends Are For", with all profits being donated to the American Foundation for AIDS Research. The song won Grammy awards for "Song of the Year" and for "Best Pop Performance, by a Duo or Group". Currently, John lives in the Atlanta area, a fact that the city mentions freely in its promotional materials. Musical style"Your Song", one of his earliest and most popular hits, incorporates some features found in many of his songs:
Quotations
Discography
Hit singles
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"Your Song", one of his earliest and most popular hits, incorporates some features found in many of his songs:. The band made an appearance in the 1994 John Waters film Serial Mom under the name "Camel Lips", a reference to the visual imprint of a woman's vulva in the crotch of too-tight jeans. Currently, John lives in the Atlanta area, a fact that the city mentions freely in its promotional materials. The future of the band is a bit up in the air at the moment.". The song won Grammy awards for "Song of the Year" and for "Best Pop Performance, by a Duo or Group". We know that's vague, but that's just the way it is. For example, in 1986 he joined with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder to record the single "That's What Friends Are For", with all profits being donated to the American Foundation for AIDS Research. The band's most recent album Slap Happy, was released in 1999, and did not chart on either side of the Atlantic ocean. According to the band's website, "L7 are on an indefinite hiatus. John has long been associated with AIDS charities after the death of his friend Ryan White, raising large amounts of money and using his public profile to raise awareness of the disease. During a live show in London in 2000, the band offered a one night stand with Dee Plakas as a raffle prize, although it is unclear as to whether this was a genuine offer or not. He remains lifelong president. In the UK, the band are most famous for an appearance on the popular late-night entertainment programme The Word, in which Sparks pulled her pants down to reveal her pubic area. He resigned in 2002 when the club needed a full time chairman. The band gained a certain amount of notoriety for their performance at the 1992 Reading Festival, when Donita Sparks removed her tampon on-stage and threw it into the crowd in protest against the missiles being thrown by the crowd. In 1976 Elton John became involved in Watford Football Club and fulfilled a childhood dream by becoming chairman and director. [2] (http://villagevoice.com/specials/pazznjop/03/search_return.php?poll_year=1992&type=A&keyword=) [3] (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:n1jtear04xu7~T1). He has occasionally battled addictions to cocaine and financial difficulties caused by his profligate spending. Their 1992 album Bricks Are Heavy, produced by Butch Vig, featured in Rolling Stone's May 1999 list of 'Essential recordings of the 1990s', and is widely considered their classic. He subsequently stated that he was gay and has lived with his partner David Furnish for a number of years. [1] (http://www.rockforchoice.com/). Coming out first as bisexual in 1976, he married (1984) and quickly divorced (1988) Renate Blauel. Rock for Choice still exists and organizes concerts today. John has had a complicated personal history. In 1991 the band formed Rock For Choice, a Pro-Choice women's rights group which was supported by other bands of that era, including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against The Machine. His face-to-face tours with fellow pianist Billy Joel have been a fan favourite throughout the world since the mid-1990s. The name is taken from a slang phrase from the 1950s which means "square," but is often mistaken for a reference to a sex position, also called "69". He continues to release new material to commercial success, and tours extensively, despite being fitted with a pacemaker. They signed to Epitaph Records for their first album and to Sub Pop in 1989. Later in December of that same year, John received the Kennedy Center Honor for a lifetime of contribution to entertainment. The band was formed in 1985 by Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner, who were later joined by Jennifer Finch and Dee Plakas. In 2004, John expanded his musical theatre repertoire by composing songs for the musical adaptation of Billy Elliot. L7 is a punk all-women band. In 2003, he reached number one in the United Kingdom with a rerelease of the single "Are You Ready For Love" which had been only a minor hit when first released in 1979. The Slash Years (2000). In each of 30 consecutive years, from 1970 through 1999, John appeared with at least one single on the "Top 40" of Billboard magazine's pop record chart, the "Hot 100" - a feat unmatched by any other recording artist. Slap Happy (1999). In 2001, his 1970s hit, "Tiny Dancer" was featured on the Almost Famous soundtrack, and his most recent movie song was "The Heart of Every Girl" (the end title song from 2003's Mona Lisa Smile). Live: Omaha To Osaka (1998). Five years later, John wrote the score for The Muse, and a year later composed songs for another animated film, DreamWorks' The Road to El Dorado. The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum (1997). Rice was reportedly stunned by the rapidity with which John was able to set his words to music. Hungry For Stink (1994). Then, in 1994, he (along with Tim Rice) wrote the songs for the Disney animated film The Lion King (John and Rice subsequently won a Best Original Song Oscar for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"). Bricks Are Heavy (1992). In 1975, he appeared as the Pinball Wizard in the movie version of the rock opera Tommy. Smell The Magic (1990). In 1971, he wrote original songs for the movie Friends. L7 (1988). He has also done work both for and in films. In 1992 he performed "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "The Show Must Go On" with Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert, an AIDS charity event held at Wembley Stadium, London. In 1997, he updated the lyrics of "Candle in the Wind" for a special version mourning the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and this became the fastest selling single of all time. The song, which was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, was originally recorded in 1973 on his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. His biggest 1980s hits included, among others, "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues", "I'm Still Standing", and a 1986 live recording of "Candle in the Wind" which he recorded with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He went on to become one of the most successful recording artists of the 1970s, with globally-successful singles including "Rocket Man", "Crocodile Rock", "Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting)", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", and "Bennie and the Jets". His success can partly be attributed to his collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin, who has provided the words to John's music for most of his career. He scored his first international hits in 1970 with his eponymous second album, which included one of his best-loved songs, "Your Song". Working in a band called Bluesology throughout the mid to late 1960s, Dwight changed his name by deed poll in homage to his fellow "Bluesologists" Elton Dean (saxophonist) and singer Long John Baldry. Born in Pinner, Middlesex, England, Elton John was educated at Pinner County Grammar School and the Royal Academy of Music, to which he won a scholarship at the age of 11. Sir Elton Hercules John, KBE, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, is one of the most successful British pop singers, composers, and musicians. 2004 "All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful)" #20 UK. from "Peachtree Road"
2002 "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" (Blue feat. from "One Love" (album by Blue)
2002 "Original Sin" #39 UK. 2002 "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" #24 UK. 2001 "I Want Love" #9 UK. from "Songs from the West Coast"
1999 "Written in the Stars" (with LeAnn Rimes) #10 UK, #29 US. from "Aida soundtrack
from "Big Picture"
from "Luciano Pavarotti & Friends for War Child" charity compilation
1995 "Believe" #15 UK, #13 US. from "Made in England"
from "The Lion King" soundtrack
from "Duets"
1992 "The One" #10 UK, #9 US. from "The One"
1990 "You Gotta Love Someone" #33 UK. from "The Very Best Of Elton John"
1990 "Sacrifice" (re-issue) #1 UK (double A-side with Healing Hands in the UK), #18 US. from "Sleeping with the Past"
from "Reg Strikes Back"
from "Ice on Fire"
1985 "Nikita" #3 UK, #7 US. 1985 "Act of War" (with Millie Jackson) #32 UK. from "Ice on Fire"
1984 "In Neon" #38 US. 1984 "Passengers" #5 UK. 1984 "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" #7 UK, #5 US. from "Breaking Hearts"
1983 "Cold As Christmas/Crystal" #33 UK. 1983 "Kiss the Bride" #20 UK, #25 US. 1983 "I'm Still Standing" #4 UK, #12 US. 1983 "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" #5 UK, #4 US. from "Too Low for Zero"
1981 "Nobody Wins" #21 US. 1981 "Chloe" #34 US. from "The Fox"
1981 "I Saw Her Standing There" (Elton John Band feat. non-album single
from "21 at 33"
from "The Thom Bell Sessions EP"
1978 "Ego" #34 UK, #34 US. non-album single
1976 "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" #11 UK, #6 US. from "Blue Moves"
non-album single
from "Rock of the Westies"
from "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy"
1974 "Bennie and the Jets" #37 UK (1976 release), #1 US. 1974 "Candle in the Wind" #11 UK. from "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
non-album single
1973 "Daniel" #4 UK, #2 US. 1972 "Crocodile Rock" #5 UK, #1 US. from "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player"
from "Madman Across the Water"
1971 "Your Song" #7 UK, #8 US. from "Elton John (album)"
2005 The Vampire Lestat (forthcoming). 2005 Billy Elliot (forthcoming). 2004 Peachtree Road; #21 UK. 2002 The Greatest Hits 1970-2002; #3 UK, #12 US. 2002 Live at the Ritz. 2001 Prologue. 2001 Songs from the West Coast; #2 UK, #15 US. 2000 The Road To El Dorado; #63 US. 2000 One Night Only (live); #7 UK, #65 US. 1999 Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida; #29 UK, #41 US. 1999 The Muse. 1997 The Big Picture; #3 UK, #9 US. 1995 Love Songs; #4 UK, #24 US. 1995 Made in England; #3 UK, #13 US. 1994 The Lion King; #4 UK. 1993 Duets; #5 UK, #25 US. 1992 The One; #2 UK, #8 US. 1990 To Be Continued... (box set); #82 US. 1990 The Very Best of Elton John; #1 UK. 1989 Sleeping With the Past; #1 UK, #23 US. 1988 Reg Strikes Back; #18 UK, #16 US. 3 (1979-1987); #84 US. 1987 Greatest Hits Vol. 1987 Live in Australia; #24 US. 1986 Leather Jackets; #24 UK, #91 US. 1985 Ice on Fire; #3 UK, #48 US. 1984 Breaking Hearts; #2 UK, #20 US. 1983 Too Low for Zero; #7 UK, #25 US. 1982 Love Songs; #39 UK. 1982 Jump Up!; #13 UK, #17 US. 1981 The Fox; #12 UK, #21 US. 1980 The Very Best of Elton John; #24 UK. 1980 21 at 33; #12 UK, #13 US. 1979 The Thom Bell Sessions; #51 US. 1979 Victim of Love; #35 US. 1978 A Single Man; #8 UK, #15 US. 1977 Elton John's Greatest Hits - Volume II; #6 UK, #21 US. 1976 Blue Moves; #3 UK, #3 US. 1976 Here and There (live); #6 UK, #4 US. 1975 West of the Rockies (live). 1975 Rock of the Westies; #5 UK, #1 US. 1975 Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy; #2 UK, #1 US. 1974 Elton John's Greatest Hits; #1 UK, #1 US. 1974 Caribou; #1 UK, #1 US. 1973 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road; #1 UK, #1 US. 1973 Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player; #1 UK, #1 US. 1972 Honky Château; #2 UK, #1 US. 1971 Madman Across the Water; #8 US. 1971 11-17-70 [live]; #20 UK, #11 US. 1971 Friends; #36 US. 1971 Tumbleweed Connection; #6 UK, #5 US. 1970 The Games (Original Soundtrack). 1970 Elton John; #11 UK, #4 US. 1969 Empty Sky; #6 US (1975 release). And that will never leave me.". No self-esteem. "I've always had a body-image problem. Other songs that follow this pattern include "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" and "Rocket Man". Another feature of John's style is the use of a slowly-building crescendo that brings the song to a tutti climax. The piano accompaniment is prominent, though the song also features an orchestra. It is in Binary Form, with the verse repeated before the chorus begins. |