Elton John was born on March 25, 1947 in North London in the town of Pinner. This event was as ordinary in scale as the birth of a child in the most ordinary family can be. And only many years later we can talk about the significance of this event not only for the parents of their miracle, but for the whole world …
Musical prodigy
Reginald Kenneth Dwight, that is how Stanley and Sheila Dwight christened their child when he was born. From early childhood, Reggie showed an interest in music. This was facilitated by the mother, who often studied the piano with the child. My father was a military musician, playing trumpet in the Royal Air Force Band. But he did not want Reggie to follow in his footsteps, so his son’s hobbies did not make dad happy.
However, Reginald’s interest in music only grew. Already at the age of four he could play by ear; singer Elton Jonchem was promoted by frequent listening to records with popular performers at that time.
When the talented Reginald was 12 years old, the Royal Academy of Music offered free tuition. He regularly attended classes on Saturdays. And a year later, the parents divorced, because of which the young man was very worried. At the same age, Reggie began to wear glasses, copying the famous artist Buddy Holly. As expected, Reggie became short-sighted and could no longer do without glasses.
Elton John chose music
Reginald’s stepfather supported the child’s beginnings in music. He first appeared in public at the age of 16. He sang and played the piano every weekend. And his mother always sat in the corner. Reg received a pound a night for his performance and was able to save up for an electric piano.
At that time, the young man was engaged in three jobs at once. In the morning he served as a courier for a music publishing house. During the day I played the piano in a restaurant. Finally, in the evening, singer Elton Joni performed with the Bluesology group, which he organized with his schoolmates. They managed to release two singles, but both were unsuccessful.
Reggie never finished school. He ditched her because of his job at the Mills music publishing house. However, the work had to be abandoned when the group went on a tour of Britain with the accompaniment of one singer.
In 1967 he toured again. At this time, Reggie fell in love with a girl named Linda and long sought her attention. But she made him make a choice: “Either me or music.” Desperate guy wanted to commit suicide. But, fortunately, he changed his mind and chose music.
Unsuccessful first step
Upon learning of the Liberty Music Young Talent Contest, Reggie hurried to audition. He sang a couple of other people’s songs … and failed. But fate turned out to be favorable to him: the organizer of the competition, Ray Williams, gave the “unfortunate musician” the poems of one poet. Without knowing it, singer Elton JohnRay formed the creative union of Elton John and Bernie Taupin for more than three decades.
All the same Ray Williams introduced Reginald to Dick James. He used to publish The Beatles songs. Now, at Ray’s request, he must record Reggie’s first song. Dick James signed a publishing contract with Reginald. Bernie Taupin moved to London.
At first, Reggie and Bernie had to work on social orders. But later, Dick James agreed to record and release his own disc of Reginald. Now it’s time to change his name. And he became Reginald Dwight Elton John.
Failure, success and tour of Elton in the USA
Elton’s first plastic “I’ve Been Loving You” was released in March 1968, but had no success. And it is no coincidence. The fact is that Elton wrote the song in the then popular style only to become famous. Moreover, he wrote the words himself, and gave Topin the right to be considered the author of these poems. As a result, I had to return to my previous job.
The head of one of the departments of the publishing house began to persuade the director to give free rein to the singer Elton Johnson to the authors in their work. Dick James agreed. This allowed Elton to punch his name into the world of music.
And here’s real luck. The aspiring English musician was noticed in America and invited to tour. In September 1970, Elton went to the United States. He was well received. At the same time Elton and his team, which included drummer Nigel Olson and bassist Dee Murray (a little later they were joined by guitarist Davey Johnston), recorded the music for the film “Friends”. By the end of 1971, Reginald Kenneth Dwight officially changed his name and became Elton Hercules John.
About myself
Davey Johnston once said that he would like to release his solo album. Elton and his manager John Reed took on helping a friend. But all negotiations with the studios were in vain. Then it was decided to open his own company, which would help young talents to fight their way to fame.
In 1974, Elton’s career failed. His next album was badly received. Moving away from this blow, Elton John, singer Elton John switched to other areas of activity. He bought out the Watford football team and later became president of that club.
Elton John managed to be an actor on stage. In 1975, Ken Russell prepared the rock opera “Tommy”. The director wanted musicians to play the main roles. So Elton got a role, albeit quite small, only 4 minutes of being on stage. In the same year, Elton was invited to record his disc by John Lennon. Elton, in turn, invited Lennon to play in his disc. He agreed. When the song took first place, Lennon performed with Elton at Maddison Square Garden.
Elton John’s family life
By 1976, turbulent times had begun in the world, such as the punk revolution in England. Elton’s music turned out to be alien and unnecessary. Soon his union with singer Elton John Bernie broke up. During an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the singer declared his bisexuality. Elton’s fame, due to his long absence from music, floated away from the musician, so he decided to go on tour in countries where he had never performed: France, Spain, Israel, the USSR.
In 1980, Elton, appreciating the old friendship and affection, returned Dee Murray and Nigel Olson to his team. And with his songwriter Elton resumed a permanent collaboration in 1984. At the same time Elton started a family: he married Renate Blauer. She was a sound engineer and collaborated with him in Germany. Elton John really wanted to have children, but time passed, and his marriage with Renata remained fruitless and broke up four years later.
A little later, Elton John’s statement appeared that he was more homosexual than bisexual. He was tormented by constant depression. Elton John began to abuse alcohol and drugs and was repeatedly treated for drug addiction.
In 1993, he met David Furnish, who helped get rid of bad habits, and on December 21, 2005, John and Furnish entered into a marriage contract. Only closest friends and relatives were invited to the wedding ceremony.
December 25, 2010 Elton and David became fathers: their son was born from a surrogate mother from California, and on January 11, 2013 the second was born. Exactly nine years after entering into a civil partnership, on December 21, 2014, Elton John and David Furnish officially married. The wedding ceremony took place at the Windsor estate near London. According to the already established tradition, only the closest people were invited to the wedding. There were 50 of them. Among the guests were also the sons of John and Furnish – three-year-old Zachary and two-year-old Elijah.
Charity
After the death of Freddie Mercury, vocalist of the most popular band Queen, Elton created his own fund to fight AIDS. Since then, he has often given charity concerts for the benefit of the foundation.
In 1995, Elton John received an Oscar for his performance of the song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” – the soundtrack to the animated film The Lion King. And two years later, during the funeral of Princess Diana, he performed his old song “Candle in the Wind”, which he and Bernie rewrote. After this event, Queen Elizabeth knighted Elton John.
Elton John is now one of the most popular and wealthy performers in the world. He has over 30 albums and 500 songs. He can boast that for 30 years there has not been a case when his songs were not present in the charts. And not surprising, because he is Elton John.