Back Story:
Elton John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight), was noticed for his musical talents at a young age, where he eventually was able to play the piano at the Royal Academy of Music on scholarship during his youth (IMBD.com, accessed 2021). Elton spent most of his childhood with his grandmother, as his father was away in the Royal Air Force (historyvshollywood.com). His parents then divorced when Elton was 14 (Eames, 2021).
Elton John was able to connect with Bernie Taupin, through what some may consider fate. In the late 60s, the duo teamed up as they individually took notice of a newspaper ad from Liberty Records (Eames, 2021). Elton claimed he could only sing and play the piano, and he then received a folder of songs given to the label from Bernie (Eames, 2020).
In the 1970s:
The decade was monumental and pivotal for Elton John. In the year 1970, Elton John released his self-titled album (biography.com). The album was a pivotal one for his career, as it included "Your Song", "Border Song" and more.
His popularity of songs would not have been possible without his songwriter and best friend, Bernie Taupin. Bernie would write lyrics and mail them to Elton as he would sit down at the piano and create a song to bring the lyrics to life. I was able to hear this first hand from Elton however as I attended his farewell tour concert in 2019 at the BOK Center in Tulsa. As Elton played songs, he would stop and share the meanings behind them or memories that were associated with them.
Elton John is an icon, known for his flamboyant costumes and charisma. He never held back when he was given a chance to stand out. It had to have been nearly impossible to not have your eyes all over him.
During the explosion of his fame, the 1970s also presented plenty of struggles for the artist. He struggled with drugs as did many musicians and individuals, as well as a couple of suicide attempts. One attempt was depicted in Rocketman the 2018 film, as John was under the influence of drugs and jumped into his pool during a big party. Thankfully, the attempt was filed.
Two days later, Elton John performed one of his best-known shows in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium in 1975 (historyvshollywood.com).
In 1976, Elton bought the Watford F.C., becoming the president and Chairman. He only owned the club until 1990, but remains actively involved and acts as a Chairman (Watford FC Staff, 2021). 1976 also marks the year that Elton came out as bisexual to the world (biography.com).
By the last few years of the decade, Elton eventually took a break from performing. He released roughly one album each year, with a new lyricist as Bernie worked with other artists (populartimelines.com). We all know that Elton returned to the stage eventually and continues to bless the world with his art and talent, even in our current decade!
Elton John is 74 years old and married to David Furnish (Beaumont-Thomas, 2021). He will resume his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour in 2022 (Beaumont-Thomas, 2021). He is the Founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, formed in 1992 (eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org).
References
A&E Networks Television. (2020, November 5). Elton John. Biography.com. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.biography.com/musician/elton-john.
Eames, T. (2020, February 4). Who is Bernie Taupin? how Elton John met his longtime songwriting partner. Smooth. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/elton-john/bernie-taupin-net-worth-songs-wife/.
Eames, T. (2021, March 25). Who was Elton John's dad Stanley Dwight and who plays him in Rocketman? Smooth. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/elton-john/dad-father-stanley-rocketman-actor/#:~:text=He%20was%20also%20a%20keen,was%2014%20his%20parents%20divorced.
Guardian News and Media. (2021, October 22). Elton John: 'I can still explode at any moment. I just have terrible feelings about myself'. The Guardian. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/22/elton-john-i-can-still-explode-at-any-moment-i-just-have-terrible-feelings-about-myself.
History of Elton John in Timeline - popular timelines. populartimelines.com. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://populartimelines.com/timeline/Elton-John.
IMDb.com. (n.d.). Elton John. IMDb. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005056/bio.
Lang, K. (2019, October 21). Rocketman movie vs. The true story of Elton John's early years. HistoryvsHollywood.com. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/rocketman/.
Our team. Elton John AIDS Foundation. (2021, November 23). Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/about-us/our-team/.
Staff, W. F. C. (2021, November 25). Yellow Brick Road: The story of Elton John & Watford FC. Watford FC. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.watfordfc.com/news/yellow-brick-road-the-story-of-elton-john-watford-fc.
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