Elton John Biography
Written by Don Grim 2006
Describing Elton John and His Secret to Success
When most people describe Elton John, they think of music. Since music has been such an inspiration to him he has managed to make a huge impact in the music industry. Most people can say they like at least some of his songs. Some people, including me, don’t think he has written any particularly terrible songs. His music has been described as “the music of our lives”, partly because he has so many years of hit songs and also that so many of his songs relate to our lives by their melody and words. He started listening to music, and playing the piano, at a very early age. He has not stopped being a fan of music and musicians ever since. Elton pursued songwriting out of interest more than fame and fortune. He knew, no matter what, he would be a life-long fan of music. With such an early, strong interest in music, God-given musical talent, and some training from the Royal Academy of Music, he has become well equipped for song writing and song performance. Eric Clapton has summed Elton’s music well by stating that every Elton John album has inspired and influenced him. Many Elton John fans can say the same.
Elton can also be described as flamboyant and impulsive. Especially in the 70’s, Elton wore very colorful outfits and wild eye glasses. He has admitted that part of that was him hiding behind his shyness so that people saw shiny Elton more than shy Reg. His original name was Reginald Kenneth Dwight until he changed it to Elton Hercules John. However, Elton has also been flamboyant because of his sense of humor. He can be quite funny. I am reminded of his comment at the end of the “Original Sin” music video when he played the father of a teenage girl [Mandy Moore] from the 70’s where he said, quite comically, “Who is this Elton John anyway?”. Although his impulsiveness can get him in trouble at times, with saying things that he can regret, I believe it has benefited his songwriting. He writes songs very quickly which affectively allows more of his feelings in songs rather than thoughts. He puts his soul in to songs. If you listen to songs with humming, such as “High Flying Bird” and “Circle of Life”, you can almost sense his soul echoing from the humming in those songs. Although Elton usually has others write the lyrics to his songs, primarily Bernie Taupin along with others like Tim Rice and Gary Osborne, I believe Elton could write good lyrics. Perhaps that is his way of not getting too personal with the words and being able to get extra personal with the melodies.
Because of his impulsiveness, he can get bored quickly which has lead him to writing a wide range of types of music and a large quantity of songs. Although he has not released an album every year, since 1965, he has written at least one new song every year. That could be a record! May the streak continue! Because of Elton’s busy songwriting, there have been many unreleased songs. Hopefully they will get released someday. Perhaps it is just a matter of time. I will mention just a few good songs from 1969 that should be released. An Elton John composition called “I Can’t Go On Living Without You” was sung by Lulu on TV in 1969. Elton John recorded it too, but it has not been released. “Flowers Will Never Die” is an excellent song that was not released even though it was written 1/7/1969, the same day the “Empty Sky” song was written. “Empty Sky” has been released for consumers.
Elton’s impulsiveness has him constantly trying something new, including new types of songs, new cities for concerts, or types of concerts. Many fans can tell you that Elton never ceases to amaze them in new ways. As a personal example, when I heard Elton’s version of “Take Me To The Pilot” on the “Live at the Ritz” album, I was totally amazed. He made the song sound like a new song and the piano playing was incredible. Elton’s new solo concerts are still relatively a secret to many people even though they are amazing concerts. They include just his voice and piano without a band masking it. Although Elton’s solo concert work is on the “Live at the Ritz” album, “Dream Ticket” DVD, and “
If you want to describe Elton John another way it can be with endurance. Not only has he endured through decades of great songwriting, anyone who has witnessed his concerts will tell you that he gives 100% at his concerts. He has had concerts where he will perform for over 2 hours without taking a break. He cares about delivering the best music that he can to fans. With his endurance, he can be stubborn and competitive. I believe some of his competitiveness comes from trying to strengthen his lowered self esteem from when he lived with his father. I think his competitiveness peaked in the 70’s as well because he competed with so many great musicians during that decade. I believe the 70’s was the best decade for musicians and songwriters. Many of those musicians are still performing today.
Last but not least, another description for Elton John is heart. He has always cared about others. He has worked and given to many charities. He continues to perform and create music to help support his band members. He has cared enough to help himself by stopping drug and alcohol use for over a decade. He cares about his fans by continuing to write music and performing. Elton has also had the heart to reveal himself so that we can know more about him. Some examples of that are the scrapbook information in the “Captain Fantastic” album, historical information and early songs in the “To Be Continued” box set, more rare songs in the “Rare Masters” album, and his many interviews. He has also revealed himself, and lyricist Bernie Taupin, in two autobiographical albums (“Captain Fantastic” in 1975 and “The Captain and the Kid” in 2006).
So there you have it. There is no big secret to Elton John’s success. Because of his strong lifelong interest in music, some flavor of flamboyance, soulful and creative impulsiveness, hard-working endurance, and caring, his great God-given gift is his song! For those of us who listen to his music, we benefit from Elton John’s success. His music helps soothe us, inspire us, and sustain us. By borrowing words from the “Your Song” composition, it is a more “wonderful life while” his music is “in the world”!
Highlights of Elton John’s Life by Don Grim
3/25/1947- Reginald Kenneth Dwight was born to parents Stanley & Sheila Dwight. He would later change his name to Elton Hercules John.
1950- Reg Dwight started playing songs on the piano by ear at age 3, including “The Skaters’ Waltz”.
1958- Reg studied at the Royal Academy of Music in
1962- Reg played in a band called The Corvettes and later was part of a band called Bluesology.
1965- Reg wrote the “Come Back Baby” song for Bluesology.
1967– Reg Dwight and Bernie Taupin independently answered a Liberty Records ad for musical talent. Ray Williams at Liberty Records arranged for Reg, as a musician, and Bernie, as a lyricist, to meet and write music together. Reg left the Bluesology band and changed his name to Elton John, which was taken from band members’ names (saxophonist Elton Dean and singer Long John Baldry). Elton and Bernie started writing and recorded many songs that were not released. They were commonly known as the “Dick James Demos” since they were recorded in Dick James studios.
1969- Elton’s first album, “Empty Sky“, was released in the
1970- Elton’s first song for a movie was the song “From
1972- Elton added Hercules to his middle name. Later in 1972, Elton’s “Honky Chateau” album had a song called “Hercules”. “Honky Chateau” was Elton’s first #1 album. That started a streak of seven #1 albums in a row (“Honky Chateau, Don’t Shoot M ,
1973- Elton released a Christmas single called “Step Into Christmas” which became a popular Christmas song on radio stations every year after that. Some people can sense snow falling when they hear the opening guitar chords to that song.
1974- Elton John released “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”, a Beatles composition and Elton sang in John Lennon’s single called “Whatever Gets You Through the Night”. Both singles charted at #1. Since Lennon’s single reached #1, he had to appear in concert with Elton to honor a bet he and Elton made that the single would be #1. It became John Lennon’s last appearance in concert.
1975- This year was considered to be when Elton John was most popular. His music was being played and talked about everywhere. Some personal memories of mine include hearing a college professor note that Elton John was what everyone’s answer to entertainment was and that, in the future, perhaps there will just be wires hooked to people’s heads sending out “feelings”. I also remember a campground where they played the whole “Captain Fantastic” album from beginning to end. It was kind of an unwritten rule that you had to play that album completely and in order. The 8 track tape version was in order too which meant that a few songs were faded out and rejoined between channels (“Bitter Fingers” and “Writing”). The year started with the “Greatest Hits” album still on the charts. Then came the release of “Empty Sky” in the
1976- Elton played a solo concert, just voice and piano, at
1977- Elton appeared on “The Muppet Show”. By this time, he was tired of the fancy outfits but the producers of the “Muppet Show“ talked him in to wearing them.
1979- Elton started appearing without eye glasses only to wear them again four years later.
1981- A video tape, called “Visions” included a video for every song, a rare occurrence, on Elton John’s “Fox” album.
1984- Elton John married Renate Blauel in Sydney Australia. They wanted to have children. Unfortunately, they divorced in 1988, without having any children.
1985- Elton sang with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder in a number 1 single called “That’s What Friends Are For”. It benefited the AIDS charity. Elton would go on to many projects for AIDS charities, including dedicating profits from singles to AIDS charities.
1987- Elton John released a studio album every year in the 80’s except 1987. However that year did include a live album titled “Live in
1990- Elton John stopped using alcohol and drugs. He has avoided drugs and alcohol since. This is one of his greatest accomplishments. It gave him more energy and happiness in his life.
1991- This is the first year since 1969 that there is not an Elton John album. However, new songs continue with singles and other projects. Therefore, from 1965 until present (2006), a streak continues with new songs released every year.
1992- Elton performed a solo concert to benefit the death of band member Dee Murray. He gave an emotional performance of the song “That’s What Friends Are For”. A box set called “Rare Masters” was released which includes rare recordings. There are many more recordings that have not been released yet. Elton fans continue to wait for them.
1994- Elton was inducted in to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Elton became more familiar to young people when he began writing songs with Tim Rice as lyricist, for the animated movie for Disney called “The Lion King”, geared to young viewers. Elton and Tim had some earlier experience by writing a song in the early 80’s together called “Legal Boys”. The soundtrack for the movie, as well as the two singles, “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life”, were huge sellers. Elton started performing many concerts with Billy Joel, called “Face to Face”. They would face each other with dueling pianos. Elton and Billy have had similar songs and have been an inspiration to each other as musicians and piano players. An album of songs that Elton recorded in 1969 & 1970 was released and called “Reg Dwight’s Piano Goes Pop”. It included many fine covers of other artists’ songs. Elton returned to performing more solo concerts with percussionist Ray Cooper. It allowed audiences to hear more of his voice and piano without being drowned out by a band. [Many fans wish for the return of Ray Cooper, even if it is as a guest]
1995- Elton John’s album, called “Made in
1997- Elton’s friends Gianni Versace (fashion designer) and Princess Diana die during the year. Elton performed “Candle in the Wind 1997”, with new words written by Bernie Taupin, as a tribute to Diana. The original lyrics show the words “English Rose” crossed out and replaced with “
1998- Elton became “Sir Elton John” as he was knighted by the Queen for “services to music and charitable services”. Elton returned to doing solo shows with some concerts in 1998-2000. He called them scary and enjoyable.
1999- Elton had surgery to fit a pacemaker for his heart.
2000- The EltonJohn.com website started on the Internet. Those fans who pay a membership each year (Rocket Membership), approximately $36, receive special gifts that include special live recordings on CD and DVD. It also allows for special seating for ticket sales. The “Aida” Broadway production and “
2001- Elton played a solo concert at
2004- Elton started playing a series of concerts in
2006- The “Lestat” Broadway production began with songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. [This was Bernie’s first attempt at writing for a stage production.] Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote and released the autobiographical follow-up to the 1975 album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy and titled it “The Captain and the Kid”. [This album is the only album that Bernie has played in his home or ever listened to for that matter.]
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