Elton John Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research
6 minute read
Updated 1:07 PM EDT, Tue July 11, 2023
Singer Elton John performs in 1973.
Singer Elton John performs in 1973.
David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images
John appears in one of his first publicity photos in 1968. The singer had officially changed his name to Elton John a year earlier after being born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, England, in 1947. The name was inspired by members of his early band, Bluesology, whose saxophone player was Elton Dean and lead singer was Long John Baldry.
John appears in one of his first publicity photos in 1968. The singer had officially changed his name to Elton John a year earlier after being born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, England, in 1947. The name was inspired by members of his early band, Bluesology, whose saxophone player was Elton Dean and lead singer was Long John Baldry.
Val Wilmer/Redferns
Elton John plays the piano in 1970, the year he launched his first world tour.
Elton John plays the piano in 1970, the year he launched his first world tour.
Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
John appears in a 1973 documentary that detailed the production of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Hit songs from that album included "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and the title track.
John appears in a 1973 documentary that detailed the production of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Hit songs from that album included "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and the title track.
REX Shutterstock/AP
John and his songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin, hold gold records in 1973. Taupin has written the lyrics for many of John's songs over his career, and the two have worked together for decades.
John and his songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin, hold gold records in 1973. Taupin has written the lyrics for many of John's songs over his career, and the two have worked together for decades.
Michael Putland/Getty Images
John and singer Rod Stewart have a bath at the stadium of Watford Football Club in 1973. John, a lifelong Watford fan, later owned the English soccer club. Today, one of the stadium's stands is named after him.
John and singer Rod Stewart have a bath at the stadium of Watford Football Club in 1973. John, a lifelong Watford fan, later owned the English soccer club. Today, one of the stadium's stands is named after him.
Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
John is overwhelmed by multiple shots on goal while playing around at Watford's stadium in 1974.
John is overwhelmed by multiple shots on goal while playing around at Watford's stadium in 1974.
Michael Putland/Getty Images
John gives a typical energetic performance in 1974. Some of the other hit songs he had by this time: "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," "Crocodile Rock" and "Rocket Man."
John gives a typical energetic performance in 1974. Some of the other hit songs he had by this time: "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," "Crocodile Rock" and "Rocket Man."
Associated Press
John appears on stage with John Lennon at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1974.
John appears on stage with John Lennon at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1974.
Steve Morley/Redferns
John plays the Pinball Wizard in the 1975 film "Tommy," which is based on The Who's album of the same name.
John plays the Pinball Wizard in the 1975 film "Tommy," which is based on The Who's album of the same name.
Granamour Weems Collection/Alamy
John reads some fan mail circa 1975.
John reads some fan mail circa 1975.
Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy
John poses for a portrait circa 1975.
John poses for a portrait circa 1975.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
John performs at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1975. During his career, he has been nominated for 34 Grammy Awards and won five times. He also has an Academy Award and a Tony Award.
John performs at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1975. During his career, he has been nominated for 34 Grammy Awards and won five times. He also has an Academy Award and a Tony Award.
Terry O'Neill/Getty Images
John tips his hat after having a star dedicated to him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1975.
John tips his hat after having a star dedicated to him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1975.
Jeff Robbins/AP
John poses for a photo with Cher and Diana Ross in the mid-1970s.
John poses for a photo with Cher and Diana Ross in the mid-1970s.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
John performs at Earl's Court, a popular arena in London, in the late 1970s.
John performs at Earl's Court, a popular arena in London, in the late 1970s.
Martyn Goddard/Corbis/Getty Images
John appears on "The Muppet Show" in 1978. He performed four of his songs on the episode.
John appears on "The Muppet Show" in 1978. He performed four of his songs on the episode.
Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection
John waves from his car in 1978.
John waves from his car in 1978.
Terry O'Neill/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Fans watch John embrace singer and friend Kiki Dee in 1978. The two had a No. 1 hit, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," in 1976.
Fans watch John embrace singer and friend Kiki Dee in 1978. The two had a No. 1 hit, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," in 1976.
Evening Standard/Getty Images
John stands in the bedroom of his home in Old Windsor, England, in 1978.
John stands in the bedroom of his home in Old Windsor, England, in 1978.
Chalkie Davies/Getty Images
John poses with his mother and stepfather while touring the Kremlin in Moscow in 1979. He was the first rock or pop star from the West to perform in the Soviet Union.
John poses with his mother and stepfather while touring the Kremlin in Moscow in 1979. He was the first rock or pop star from the West to perform in the Soviet Union.
Boris Yurchenko/AP
John stands in Tiananmen Square while touring Beijing in 1983.
John stands in Tiananmen Square while touring Beijing in 1983.
Barry Lewis/Alamy
John married German recording engineer Renate Blauel in 1984. They divorced in 1988. and John told Rolling Stone magazine that year he was "comfortable" being gay. He told the magazine in 1976 that he was bisexual.
John married German recording engineer Renate Blauel in 1984. They divorced in 1988. and John told Rolling Stone magazine that year he was "comfortable" being gay. He told the magazine in 1976 that he was bisexual.
Patrick Riviere/Getty Images
John performs in 1986.
John performs in 1986.
Time Life Pictures/DMI/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
John stands by the bed of AIDS patient Ryan White at a Florida hospital in 1990. Two years later, the singer established the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
John stands by the bed of AIDS patient Ryan White at a Florida hospital in 1990. Two years later, the singer established the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Taro Yamasaki//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
John, far left, sits at a table with other celebrities, including actress Kate Capshaw, singer Bruce Springsteen, actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg, at one of his foundation's parties in 1994. The party was held after the Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
John, far left, sits at a table with other celebrities, including actress Kate Capshaw, singer Bruce Springsteen, actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg, at one of his foundation's parties in 1994. The party was held after the Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
Kevin Mazur Archive 1/WireImage/Getty Images
From left, Billy Joel, John and Sting perform at a benefit concert for the Rainforest Foundation in 1995. Joel and John toured together often during their careers.
From left, Billy Joel, John and Sting perform at a benefit concert for the Rainforest Foundation in 1995. Joel and John toured together often during their careers.
Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
John sings "Candle in the Wind" at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997. The tribute became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Proceeds were donated to charity.
John sings "Candle in the Wind" at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997. The tribute became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Proceeds were donated to charity.
Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
John and rapper Eminem performed Eminem's "Stan" at the Grammy Awards in 2001.
John and rapper Eminem performed Eminem's "Stan" at the Grammy Awards in 2001.
Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
John gives his final performance of "The Red Piano" in 2009. The show had been held in Las Vegas since 2004. In 2011, John started another Las Vegas residency, "The Million Dollar Piano."
John gives his final performance of "The Red Piano" in 2009. The show had been held in Las Vegas since 2004. In 2011, John started another Las Vegas residency, "The Million Dollar Piano."
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
John holds his son Zachary Jackson Levon in 2011. John and his longtime partner, David Furnish, had the baby through a surrogate. They later welcomed a second son to their family, Elijah Joseph Daniel.
John holds his son Zachary Jackson Levon in 2011. John and his longtime partner, David Furnish, had the baby through a surrogate. They later welcomed a second son to their family, Elijah Joseph Daniel.
Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with John at her Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012. In 1998, the Queen knighted John for his music and charity work.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with John at her Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012. In 1998, the Queen knighted John for his music and charity work.
Dave Thompson/Pool/AFP/Getty Images