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:. From Greatest Hits, Volume 1. Currently, John lives in the Atlanta area, a fact that the city mentions freely in its promotional materials. From Take A Look In The Mirror. The song won Grammy awards for "Song of the Year" and for "Best Pop Performance, by a Duo or Group". From Untouchables. 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. From Issues. 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. From Follow The Leader. He remains lifelong president. From Life Is Peachy. He resigned in 2002 when the club needed a full time chairman. From KoЯn. In 1976 Elton John became involved in Watford Football Club and fulfilled a childhood dream by becoming chairman and director. Most of these videos can be downloaded from KoЯnTV (http://www.korntv.com/). He
has occasionally battled addictions to cocaine and financial difficulties caused by
his profligate spending. His face-to-face tours with fellow pianist Billy Joel have been a fan favourite throughout the world since the mid-1990s. Brian "Head" Welch, citing religious/moral objections to the band's music, left KoЯn on February 22, 2005. He has turned highly religious, even being baptized in the Jordan River. He continues to release new material to commercial success, and tours extensively, despite being fitted with a pacemaker. The band continues to progress and experiment with new sounds, including never-before-heard in KoЯn songs, guitar solos. The band completed their record deal with Sony Records and now plans to release their future albums themselves, setting a new precedent for big name artists. Later in December of that same year, John received the Kennedy Center Honor for a lifetime of contribution to entertainment. The other is a cover of the three parts of Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall. In 2004, John expanded his musical theatre repertoire by composing songs for the musical adaptation of Billy Elliot. The first single is a cover of Cameo's 1980s hit, Word Up. 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. As of 2004, the group have remained successful: KoЯn recently released a greatest hits album, with two cover versions as singles. 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. This band is also notable for its collaborations with some hip hop artists, like Ice Cube and Nas. 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). The group's music is a blend of pounding, tribal drums and loud, distorted seven-string guitars, and has gained the band popularity throughout the years. 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. Davis' distinctive singing—often a series of grunts, whines and bizarre scats—and his lyrics, are inspired in part by his alleged child abuse by an unnamed party. Rice was reportedly stunned by the rapidity with which John was able to set his words to music. KoЯn are often cited as inspiring the wave of nu metal bands that appeared in the late 1990s and early 2000s; they are credited for giving significant boosts to Limp Bizkit and Deftones. 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"). When Davis joined the band in 1993, they changed their name to KoЯn, releasing their debut album KoЯn through Epic/Immortal Records in October 1994. In 1975, he appeared as the Pinball Wizard in the movie version of the rock opera Tommy. They later changed their name to Creep. In 1971, he wrote original songs for the movie Friends. They originally formed as LAPD (which stood for Love And Peace Dude), which consisted of all five members apart from singer Jonathan Davis. He has also done work both for and in films. KoЯn is a nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, United States. 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. The songs were performed by various other bands on the soundtrack 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. The Queen of the Damned - Music and lyrics written and performed (in the movie) by Jonathan Davis. The song, which was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, was originally recorded in 1973 on his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life - Did My Time. 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. Spawn - Kick the P.A., with Dust Brothers. 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". End of Days - The Camel 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. The Crow: City of Angels - Sean Olsen. He scored his first international hits in 1970 with his eponymous second album, which included one of his best-loved songs, "Your Song". I Know What You Did Last Summer - Proud. 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. Another Brick in the Wall. 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. Word Up. 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. Everything I've Known. 2004 "All That I'm Allowed (I'm Thankful)" #20 UK. Y'all Want a Single. from "Peachtree Road"
2002 "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" (Blue feat. Here To Stay. from "One Love" (album by Blue)
2002 "Original Sin" #39 UK. Freak on a Leash. 2002 "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" #24 UK. Got The Life. 2001 "I Want Love" #9 UK. A.D.I.D.A.S.. from "Songs from the West Coast"
1999 "Written in the Stars" (with LeAnn Rimes) #10 UK, #29 US. Clown. 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. |