The Man Behind the Piano | Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John is a British singer, pianist, and composer who shined in the 1970’s. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992 and inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his charity work and service to music in 1998 where he became Sir Elton John.
Elton John found partnership and friendship in Bernie Taupin. Taupin would come up with lyrics and Elton could compose the music by the end of the hour.
Elton faced many struggles in his life including a difficult homelife and a dependency on alcohol and drugs. On the outside, Elton presented himself as an outgoing, exuberant performer; however, on the inside he was shy. He found confidence in cocaine which helped him talk to others.
Despite these struggles Elton has had a lasting career of five decades where he has sold more than 100,000,000 records. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame argues in his Hall of Fame Essay that he is “arguably in class with Presley and the Beatles.”
Elton’s Top 10 Hits on Billboard
“Candle in the Wind” - No. 1 (14 weeks)
“That’s What Friends Are For” - No. 1 (4 weeks)
“Philadelphia Freedom” - No. 1 (2 weeks)
“Crocodile Rock” - No. (3 weeks)
“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” - No. 1 (4 weeks)
“Bennie and the Jets” - No. 1 (1 week)
“Island Girl” - No. 1 (3 weeks)
“Little Jeannie - No. 3
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” - No. 2
“Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” - No. 1 (2 weeks)
“Rocketman”, a movie about Elton John’s career, premiered in 2019 about Elton’s life and career. Allowing the audience to experience Elton’s rise to fame as well as his almost downfall when struggling with his addiction. The movie allowed us to to feel and see what it is like to be on stage in front of thousands of people performing and every fan knowing the lyrics.
Elton finished his five decade career with a final “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour. The tour consisted of 330 concerts across the world, starting in Pennsylvania and ending in Sweden. Elton will still be recording music but decided after 52 years of performing he wanted to stay home with his husband and kids.
Statistics
“Cold Heart”, debut of Elton and Dua Lipa, was Elton’s first appearance on the chart in 21+ years
68 Hot 100 entries
9 No. 1 Hits
Record for Hot 100’s top 40 for 30 consecutive years (1970-99)
What’s Elton Up to Now?
Elton is active on social media. With accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. He even has a podcast ("Rocket Hour”) on Apple Music where he talks with other artists, both rising and established.
Elton started an eyewear shop in London. People can buy the eyewear collection, merchandise from the collection, and some of Elton’s well-known stage costumes and memorabilia. He has three collections available including Rock ‘n’ Roll, The Academy, and Fame & Fortune. The different collections Elton has allows people to be adventurous with frames or have a more classic look.
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