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Elton
John was born on March 25, 1947, in the quiet English village of Pinner,
under the name Reginald Kenneth Dwight. His parents might have preferred him
to be a respectable young man with a steady job, but from a young age, Elton
had a passion that outweighed everything else: music. By the age of three, he
was already playing songs on the piano that he had picked up from the radio.
Not from sheet music, but straight from memory – a little prodigy.
At eleven, he was admitted to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music. There
he learned classical compositions and refined his technique, but his heart
didn’t belong to Mozart or Bach. He dreamed of songs people could sing along
to, of performances filled with sparkle and energy. In his teenage years, he
began performing in pubs and clubs around his neighborhood – sometimes solo,
sometimes as a band pianist. It was there he discovered the joy of making
people happy with music – and he would never stop doing it.
Around the age of twenty, he met lyricist Bernie Taupin – a pivotal moment.
Bernie wrote lyrics full of feeling and imagery, and Elton created melodies
that fit perfectly. They exchanged letters – one filled with words, the other
with music – and it clicked. Thus began a nearly magical partnership that
would span decades.
During this time, Reginald Dwight chose a new name: Elton John. A tribute
to two colleagues – Elton Dean and Long John Baldry. He realized his real
name didn’t suit the flamboyant artist he wanted to become. From that moment,
his journey as a pop star began.
His first albums came out in the late 1960s. "Empty Sky" went
largely unnoticed, but his second album, titled "Elton John,"
changed that. The song "Your Song" touched listeners deeply. It was
simple, honest, and emotional. Elton's voice, his piano playing, and Bernie’s
lyrics made it a classic. Elton John wasn’t just any artist – he wore
dazzling outfits, platform heels, and sunglasses in every shape and size. He
stood out, and he loved it.
In the 1970s, his career rocketed. He released iconic tracks like
"Rocket Man," "Tiny Dancer," "Levon,"
"Crocodile Rock," "Daniel," and "Goodbye Yellow
Brick Road." His concerts were extravagant and playful, with Elton
playing the piano as if it were an extension of his soul. He knew how to
enchant an audience – with glitter, energy, and above all, pure music.
A lesser-known but remarkable song from this era is "Song for
Guy," released in 1978. Elton wrote it in one day. An instrumental
piece, almost meditative in tone. The only words are “Life – isn't
everything.” Elton later shared that he had been contemplating the beauty and
fragility of life while composing it. Shortly afterward, he learned that a
young employee of his record label, Guy Burchett, had died in a motorcycle
accident. Deeply affected, Elton dedicated the song to him. It became a
tribute to impermanence – a quiet moment in his otherwise exuberant musical
world. In England, it became a hit – precisely because of its simplicity and
emotional depth.
Meanwhile, Elton became a superstar. He topped the charts, was interviewed
by the biggest magazines, and performed for thousands. But behind the scenes,
life was tough. He struggled with insecurity, stress, and addiction. He used
alcohol and drugs to escape the pressure. Still, he kept releasing albums and
writing hits. In 1983 came "I Guess That's Why They Call It the
Blues," a sentimental song that struck a chord. "I'm Still
Standing" also became popular – a kind of musical fist in the air, a
statement that he was still here despite everything.
During those years, he also began questioning his identity. He had
relationships but couldn't find peace. Eventually, in 1988, he came out
publicly as gay. A brave decision, especially for someone so well-known. Many
fans supported him; others were more reserved. But for Elton, it was
liberating. From that moment on, he stood stronger.
At the same time, he returned to his roots. He re-embraced his classical
influences and brought the piano back to the center of his music. His shows
became less wild, but no less powerful. He continued to perform, sing, and
share his life through his songs. During this period, he also began
supporting charitable causes – especially the fight against HIV and AIDS. In
1992, he founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation – an initiative that gained
global support and raised millions of euros for research and aid.
Gradually, his music began to change. Where it once focused on dreams and
adventure, his songs became more intimate and personal. His style remained
unique, but his tone softened. And then, in 1997, something happened the
world would not soon forget.
Princess Diana died in a tragic accident. Elton was a close friend of hers.
At her funeral, he sang a reworked version of "Candle in the Wind,"
originally written for Marilyn Monroe. It became the best-selling single
ever, and gave Elton a new face: that of a man who channels grief into music
and comforts people with his voice.
After the moving performance of “Candle in the Wind,” something fundamental
shifted in Elton John’s life and career. The flamboyant star of the past
became a man of depth—someone who didn’t just create music but gave meaning
to his fame. He was no longer just an artist; he became a symbol. His grief
over Diana’s death touched millions, and his song struck a sensitive chord
around the world. But Elton didn’t stand still. Even in his forties, he kept
performing, writing, and evolving. He gave interviews in which he spoke
candidly about his past addictions, about loneliness and recovery—always
honest, never sugarcoated.
In the years that followed, he released new albums such as Songs from the
West Coast and Peachtree Road. Though they weren’t all commercial hits, they
were filled with care, emotion, and love. His music took on a warmer
tone—less shine and spectacle, more heart. He continued collaborating with
Bernie Taupin, his faithful lyricist. Together, they created songs that
sounded like diary entries—personal, open, sometimes heartbreakingly
beautiful.
Elton was also active beyond the world of music. His Elton John AIDS
Foundation kept growing and made a tangible impact. He spoke at conferences,
visited hospitals, and teamed up with fellow artists to raise awareness about
HIV and AIDS. In Africa, Asia, and Europe, his foundation helped people with
nowhere else to turn. Elton used his fame not for ego—but for empathy.
Around this time, he rediscovered love. David Furnish, a Canadian
filmmaker, became his partner. Their relationship began in 1993, and in 2005
they officially married, once it became legally possible in the UK. Elton
often spoke of how David brought stability to his life—from fame to peace.
Together, they had two sons via surrogacy, and that changed everything. Elton
became a father—with diapers, bottles, and bedtime stories. His days weren’t
only about performances anymore, but also about family breakfasts and school
events.
Still, he kept making music. His album The Union, a collaboration with Leon
Russell, was a tribute to the man who once inspired him. Elton called it one
of the most important projects of his career. It was followed by albums like
The Diving Board and Wonderful Crazy Night, which reaffirmed his versatility
and sincerity as an artist.
Then came his cinematic side. In 2019, Rocketman premiered—a fantastical
biopic about his life, starring Taron Egerton as Elton. The film wasn’t a dry
list of events, but a vibrant journey through his emotions, triumphs, and
struggles. Elton was actively involved in the project, ensuring its honesty,
and was praised for his courage in revealing the painful chapters of his
past.
His music also appeared in films and musicals. Earlier, he had partnered
with Tim Rice to create the soundtrack for Disney’s The Lion King, featuring
iconic songs like “Circle of Life,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and
“Hakuna Matata.” That soundtrack earned him an Oscar and brought him a new
generation of fans—children who discovered his name through a lion king in
the savannah.
He continued collaborating with younger artists, including Lady Gaga, Ed
Sheeran, and Dua Lipa. He lent his voice, his piano, and his wisdom. The
beauty of it was that he never acted superior. Elton wasn’t a diva—he was a
mentor. He embraced new styles and young talent as though he were their
musical godfather.
In 2018, he announced he would stop touring. The Farewell Yellow Brick Road
tour began—a grand goodbye to the stage he’d ruled for decades. The concerts
were celebratory, emotional, and extravagant—with classics like “Philadelphia
Freedom,” “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and, of
course, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” He wanted to say farewell with style,
with love, and with glitter.
Fans across the globe traveled to see him one last time. And Elton played
as if he’d never leave. But deep down, he knew it was time to be more
present—at home with David, with his children, and perhaps, with
himself.
In his autobiography, Me, he speaks openly about his youth, his triumphs,
his failures, and his extraordinary life. He doesn’t hold back. He writes
about the loneliness that fame can bring, his outrageous outfits, his musical
friendships, and how music saved him. The book was praised for its honesty
and humor.
Today, Elton John is not a musician of the past—he’s a living legend of the
present. His influence on pop music is enormous—not just through his songs
but through his courage to be himself and his lasting love for the craft. He
has shown that one can be flamboyant and vulnerable, extravagant and
empathetic.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth and received countless awards, but his
greatest honor might be the way he moves people. Whether it’s “Your Song,”
“Tiny Dancer,” “Sacrifice,” “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” or one of
dozens of other tracks—his music speaks to the heart. And that’s something
time can’t erase.
Elton John has lived his life with melodies, sparkle, and feeling. From
Pinner to global fame. From unsure boy to father, friend, and role model. He
showed that you’re allowed to shine—and to stumble. But rising again is
always possible. His piano sounds like a life story—filled with joy, loss,
love, and hope.
He is no ordinary musician. He is Elton John. And his songs will keep
playing. Always. |
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