View CNN’s Fast Facts to learn more about Elton John, the award-winning singer, composer and pianist.
Personal Birth date: March 25, 1947 Birth place: Pinner, Middlesex, England Birth name: Reginald Kenneth Dwight Father: Stanley Dwight, a Royal Air Force officer Mother: Sheila (Harris) Dwight Marriages: David Furnish (2014-present); Renate Blauel (1984-1988, divorced) Children: Born via surrogate with Furnish: Elijah Joseph Daniel, Zachary Jackson Levon Other Facts Won a piano scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age 11. Officially changed his name to Elton John in 1967. The name was inspired by members of his early band, Bluesology. The saxophone player was named Elton Dean, and the lead singer was named Long John Baldry. Nominated for four Academy Awards and has won twice. Nominated for 34 Grammy Awards and has won five, plus received a Grammy Legend Award. Nominated for four Tony Awards and has won once. Early in his career, he was known for whimsical costumes and wild glasses. He’s taken the stage wearing a duck suit, a sequined baseball uniform and a Ronald McDonald outfit. He wore the colorful clothes to help create a spectacle and offset his shyness onstage. He is ranked third on Billboard’s list of Greatest of All Time Artists. Only The Beatles and The Rolling Stones rank higher. John’s tribute to Princess Diana, «Candle in the Wind 1997,» sold more than 10 million copies in the United States. Proceeds from record sales were donated to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, which issued grants to a variety of charities. Timeline 1967 — Starts working as a songwriter for Liberty Records. This is the beginning of his songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin. 1970 — Launches his first world tour. 1973 — Reaches the top of the Billboard singles chart for the first time with «Crocodile Rock.» He also releases the double album, «Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,» which spawns a series of hits including the title track, «Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting» and «Bennie and the Jets.» The album also features «Candle in the Wind,» originally written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, later adapted into a song for Princess Diana after her death. 1975 — Appears in a movie based on the Who’s rock opera, «Tommy.» John performs the song, «Pinball Wizard,» in the film. That same year, John’s album, «Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy,» becomes the first LP in Billboard history to debut at No.1 on the charts. 1976 — John duets with Kiki Dee on the number one hit, «Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.
