he is captain fantastic welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re taking a look at the life and career of
taking a look at the life and career of
taking a look at the life and career of Elton John who is this Elton John anyone
Elton John who is this Elton John anyone
Elton John who is this Elton John anyone Reginald Kenneth Dwight was born March
Reginald Kenneth Dwight was born March
Reginald Kenneth Dwight was born March 25th 1947 in a London suburb this child
25th 1947 in a London suburb this child
25th 1947 in a London suburb this child prodigy began playing piano at age four
prodigy began playing piano at age four
prodigy began playing piano at age four and received a Royal Academy of Music
and received a Royal Academy of Music
and received a Royal Academy of Music scholarship at eleven within four years
scholarship at eleven within four years
scholarship at eleven within four years he was covering songs at local pubs his
he was covering songs at local pubs his
he was covering songs at local pubs his parents encouraged him to follow a
parents encouraged him to follow a
parents encouraged him to follow a traditional career path but he left
traditional career path but he left
traditional career path but he left school at 17 to pursue music and joined
school at 17 to pursue music and joined
school at 17 to pursue music and joined blues ology with them he backed musical
blues ology with them he backed musical
blues ology with them he backed musical greats like The Isley Brothers and Patti
greats like The Isley Brothers and Patti
greats like The Isley Brothers and Patti LaBelle and the blue bells meanwhile
LaBelle and the blue bells meanwhile
LaBelle and the blue bells meanwhile Dwight sought work elsewhere on an
Dwight sought work elsewhere on an
Dwight sought work elsewhere on an audition in 1967 he was introduced to
audition in 1967 he was introduced to
audition in 1967 he was introduced to lyricist Bernie Taupin and the two began
lyricist Bernie Taupin and the two began
lyricist Bernie Taupin and the two began writing songs for other artists through
writing songs for other artists through
writing songs for other artists through the mail six months later
the mail six months later
the mail six months later Reggie Dwight adopted the name that
Reggie Dwight adopted the name that
Reggie Dwight adopted the name that honored his idols Elton Dean and Long
honored his idols Elton Dean and Long
honored his idols Elton Dean and Long John Baldry by mid 1968 Elton John was
John Baldry by mid 1968 Elton John was
John Baldry by mid 1968 Elton John was reporting his and tokens music the 1969
reporting his and tokens music the 1969
reporting his and tokens music the 1969 album empty sky fizzled but the next
album empty sky fizzled but the next
album empty sky fizzled but the next year he had a hit with his self-titled
year he had a hit with his self-titled
year he had a hit with his self-titled album mainly due to the single your song
album mainly due to the single your song
album mainly due to the single your song I hope you don’t mind I hope you don’t
I hope you don’t mind I hope you don’t
I hope you don’t mind I hope you don’t mind that I put down
John’s music meshed influences and
John’s music meshed influences and styles but his vocal twang implied
styles but his vocal twang implied
styles but his vocal twang implied inspiration by Southern American rock he
inspiration by Southern American rock he
inspiration by Southern American rock he bridged the gap between traditional pop
bridged the gap between traditional pop
bridged the gap between traditional pop artists and reflective singer
artists and reflective singer
artists and reflective singer songwriters John Koeppen compositions
songwriters John Koeppen compositions
songwriters John Koeppen compositions were rarely introspective in content but
were rarely introspective in content but
were rarely introspective in content but they successfully blended electric
they successfully blended electric
they successfully blended electric guitar with Elton John’s trademark piano
guitar with Elton John’s trademark piano
guitar with Elton John’s trademark piano in August 1970 John introduced himself
in August 1970 John introduced himself
in August 1970 John introduced himself to American audiences at Los Angeles’s
to American audiences at Los Angeles’s
to American audiences at Los Angeles’s troubadour club he built momentum and
troubadour club he built momentum and
troubadour club he built momentum and earned significant radio airplay with
earned significant radio airplay with
earned significant radio airplay with the Western flavored tumbleweed
the Western flavored tumbleweed
the Western flavored tumbleweed connection as well as the live gospel
connection as well as the live gospel
connection as well as the live gospel and boogie-woogie inspired 11 1770 next
and boogie-woogie inspired 11 1770 next
and boogie-woogie inspired 11 1770 next was 1971 s top 10 album madman across
was 1971 s top 10 album madman across
was 1971 s top 10 album madman across the water
the water
the water the guys
but the following year he really became
but the following year he really became a household name Hongki Chateau was his
a household name Hongki Chateau was his
a household name Hongki Chateau was his first of seven straight us chart-topping
first of seven straight us chart-topping
first of seven straight us chart-topping albums
albums
albums [Music]
less than a year later don’t shoot me
less than a year later don’t shoot me I’m only the piano player produced two
I’m only the piano player produced two
I’m only the piano player produced two more popular tracks Danielle my brother
more popular tracks Danielle my brother
more popular tracks Danielle my brother you are above that need do you still
you are above that need do you still
you are above that need do you still feel the pain I remember
feel the pain I remember
feel the pain I remember [Music]
[Music]
[Music] 1973’s rock-and-roll classic goodbye
1973’s rock-and-roll classic goodbye
1973’s rock-and-roll classic goodbye yellow brick road eventually went seven
yellow brick road eventually went seven
yellow brick road eventually went seven times platinum in the US and produced
times platinum in the US and produced
times platinum in the US and produced four singles including one number one
four singles including one number one
four singles including one number one [Music]
Elton John’s place at the top of the
Elton John’s place at the top of the rock food chain was secured John’s
rock food chain was secured John’s
rock food chain was secured John’s success stemmed from the fact he was
success stemmed from the fact he was
success stemmed from the fact he was considered the first original act to
considered the first original act to
considered the first original act to emerge after the breakup of the Beatles
emerge after the breakup of the Beatles
emerge after the breakup of the Beatles he even collaborated with former Beatle
he even collaborated with former Beatle
he even collaborated with former Beatle John Lennon in 1974 on whatever gets you
John Lennon in 1974 on whatever gets you
John Lennon in 1974 on whatever gets you through the night 1974 also saw the
through the night 1974 also saw the
through the night 1974 also saw the release of the hastily produced caribou
release of the hastily produced caribou
release of the hastily produced caribou despite shortcomings singles like don’t
despite shortcomings singles like don’t
despite shortcomings singles like don’t let the Sun go down on me shot it to
let the Sun go down on me shot it to
let the Sun go down on me shot it to number one in 1975 Elton John appeared
number one in 1975 Elton John appeared
number one in 1975 Elton John appeared with other huge rock acts in the film
with other huge rock acts in the film
with other huge rock acts in the film adaptation of the whose rock opera Tommy
to be a twist up and
to be a twist up and dog sir
dog sir
dog sir [Music]
[Music]
[Music] he also released captain fantastic and
he also released captain fantastic and
he also released captain fantastic and the brown dirt cowboy which recalled the
the brown dirt cowboy which recalled the
the brown dirt cowboy which recalled the struggles John and Tobin suffered during
struggles John and Tobin suffered during
struggles John and Tobin suffered during their early career someone see my love
their early career someone see my love
their early career someone see my love to the bear
to the bear
to the bear [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you’re almost her dukes in me daddy it
you’re almost her dukes in me daddy it
you’re almost her dukes in me daddy it was the first album ever to debut at
was the first album ever to debut at
was the first album ever to debut at number one the standalone single
number one the standalone single
number one the standalone single Philadelphia freedom about his friend
Philadelphia freedom about his friend
Philadelphia freedom about his friend tennis great Billie Jean King also came
tennis great Billie Jean King also came
tennis great Billie Jean King also came in 1975 when he played the song on Soul
in 1975 when he played the song on Soul
in 1975 when he played the song on Soul Train that year he became one of the few
Train that year he became one of the few
Train that year he became one of the few white performers to appear on the show
white performers to appear on the show
white performers to appear on the show by this point John was established as a
by this point John was established as a
by this point John was established as a preeminent and stylish showman to get
preeminent and stylish showman to get
preeminent and stylish showman to get that suit brother soon his onstage
that suit brother soon his onstage
that suit brother soon his onstage costumes became increasingly flamboyant
costumes became increasingly flamboyant
costumes became increasingly flamboyant and wacky following Captain Fantastic
and wacky following Captain Fantastic
and wacky following Captain Fantastic John dismantled his longtime band ahead
John dismantled his longtime band ahead
John dismantled his longtime band ahead of his next album Rock of the Westies
of his next album Rock of the Westies
of his next album Rock of the Westies also debuted at the top of billboard and
also debuted at the top of billboard and
also debuted at the top of billboard and yielded the number-one Island girl
yielded the number-one Island girl
yielded the number-one Island girl [Music]
[Music]
[Music] the live record here and there arrived
the live record here and there arrived
the live record here and there arrived in 1976 as did his eleventh studio album
in 1976 as did his eleventh studio album
in 1976 as did his eleventh studio album blue moves that effort focused less on
blue moves that effort focused less on
blue moves that effort focused less on rock and spawned the mature single sorry
rock and spawned the mature single sorry
rock and spawned the mature single sorry seems to be the hardest word as well as
seems to be the hardest word as well as
seems to be the hardest word as well as several concert favorites but his upbeat
several concert favorites but his upbeat
several concert favorites but his upbeat duet with Kiki Dee was the year’s
duet with Kiki Dee was the year’s
duet with Kiki Dee was the year’s biggest victory
biggest victory
biggest victory [Music]
he kept busy by becoming involved with
he kept busy by becoming involved with the Watford football club he capped off
the Watford football club he capped off
the Watford football club he capped off 1976 by maintaining a relentless touring
1976 by maintaining a relentless touring
1976 by maintaining a relentless touring schedule and by famously admitting his
schedule and by famously admitting his
schedule and by famously admitting his bisexuality in a controversial rolling
bisexuality in a controversial rolling
bisexuality in a controversial rolling stone interview however the stress of
stone interview however the stress of
stone interview however the stress of his busy schedule and public persona
his busy schedule and public persona
his busy schedule and public persona strained the naturally shy musician John
strained the naturally shy musician John
strained the naturally shy musician John struggled with bulimia and became
struggled with bulimia and became
struggled with bulimia and became increasingly dependent on drugs and
increasingly dependent on drugs and
increasingly dependent on drugs and alcohol during the first part of his
alcohol during the first part of his
alcohol during the first part of his career Elton John went from child
career Elton John went from child
career Elton John went from child prodigy to one of the world’s biggest
prodigy to one of the world’s biggest
prodigy to one of the world’s biggest entertainers of course there was much
entertainers of course there was much
entertainers of course there was much more to come
more to come
more to come [Music]
frazzled and burnt out from drug abuse
frazzled and burnt out from drug abuse and a hectic touring schedule Elton John
and a hectic touring schedule Elton John
and a hectic touring schedule Elton John retired from live concerts in 1977 and
retired from live concerts in 1977 and
retired from live concerts in 1977 and began releasing only one album annually
began releasing only one album annually
began releasing only one album annually he also turned to lyricist other than
he also turned to lyricist other than
he also turned to lyricist other than Bernie Taupin and issued some relatively
Bernie Taupin and issued some relatively
Bernie Taupin and issued some relatively forgettable albums but soon John made
forgettable albums but soon John made
forgettable albums but soon John made his performing comeback by becoming one
his performing comeback by becoming one
his performing comeback by becoming one of the first Western artists to tour the
of the first Western artists to tour the
of the first Western artists to tour the Soviet Union he also reunited with the
Soviet Union he also reunited with the
Soviet Union he also reunited with the original Elton John band for a huge free
original Elton John band for a huge free
original Elton John band for a huge free concert in Central Park in September
concert in Central Park in September
concert in Central Park in September 1980 two years later he released jump up
1980 two years later he released jump up
1980 two years later he released jump up which included the John Lennon tribute
which included the John Lennon tribute
which included the John Lennon tribute empty garden hey hey Johnny
[Music]
[Music] 1983’s too low for zero marked the
1983’s too low for zero marked the
1983’s too low for zero marked the permanent return of token on lyrics and
permanent return of token on lyrics and
permanent return of token on lyrics and was another hit
[Music]
[Music] John started another partnership in 1984
John started another partnership in 1984
John started another partnership in 1984 he married sound engineer Renata blow of
he married sound engineer Renata blow of
he married sound engineer Renata blow of the album’s released during his
the album’s released during his
the album’s released during his four-year long marriage all had charting
four-year long marriage all had charting
four-year long marriage all had charting singles most notably 1985 Nikita
Oh
Oh [Music]
[Music]
[Music] Nikita
Nikita
Nikita [Music]
[Music]
[Music] that year also had John team up with
that year also had John team up with
that year also had John team up with other stars to raise funds for the
other stars to raise funds for the
other stars to raise funds for the American Foundation for AIDS research
American Foundation for AIDS research
American Foundation for AIDS research with the hit single that’s what friends
with the hit single that’s what friends
with the hit single that’s what friends are for and he won a Grammy for his
are for and he won a Grammy for his
are for and he won a Grammy for his trouble however he soon got a wake-up
trouble however he soon got a wake-up
trouble however he soon got a wake-up call his ongoing smoking and drug abuse
call his ongoing smoking and drug abuse
call his ongoing smoking and drug abuse caused so much damage he required throat
caused so much damage he required throat
caused so much damage he required throat surgery in early 1987 that left his
surgery in early 1987 that left his
surgery in early 1987 that left his voice forever changed the last few
voice forever changed the last few
voice forever changed the last few albums of the 80s pleased fans but only
albums of the 80s pleased fans but only
albums of the 80s pleased fans but only 1988 reg strikes back charted in the
1988 reg strikes back charted in the
1988 reg strikes back charted in the u.s. top 20
to support that record he filled Madison
to support that record he filled Madison Square Garden for five shows 1988
Square Garden for five shows 1988
Square Garden for five shows 1988 included another defining moment for
included another defining moment for
included another defining moment for John he symbolically sold all his old
John he symbolically sold all his old
John he symbolically sold all his old costumes at auction and began combatting
costumes at auction and began combatting
costumes at auction and began combatting his demons by 1990 he quit drugs and
his demons by 1990 he quit drugs and
his demons by 1990 he quit drugs and alcohol meanwhile 1989 sleeping with the
alcohol meanwhile 1989 sleeping with the
alcohol meanwhile 1989 sleeping with the Past kept the singles coming
Past kept the singles coming
Past kept the singles coming [Music]
in 1991 alive duet with George Michael
in 1991 alive duet with George Michael of his already huge song don’t let the
of his already huge song don’t let the
of his already huge song don’t let the Sun go down on me came out and was
Sun go down on me came out and was
Sun go down on me came out and was eventually featured on the album duets
eventually featured on the album duets
eventually featured on the album duets along with other Elton John musical
along with other Elton John musical
along with other Elton John musical matchups
matchups
matchups [Music]
[Music]
[Music] 1992’s the one proof Elton John was
1992’s the one proof Elton John was
1992’s the one proof Elton John was still relevant that year he also
still relevant that year he also
still relevant that year he also established the Elton John AIDS
established the Elton John AIDS
established the Elton John AIDS Foundation after losing friends Freddie
Foundation after losing friends Freddie
Foundation after losing friends Freddie Mercury and Ryan White to the disease
Mercury and Ryan White to the disease
Mercury and Ryan White to the disease and began donating all proceeds from his
and began donating all proceeds from his
and began donating all proceeds from his single sales to the cause however 1994
single sales to the cause however 1994
single sales to the cause however 1994 marked his true comeback he was inducted
marked his true comeback he was inducted
marked his true comeback he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and teamed up with Tim Rice to pen the
teamed up with Tim Rice to pen the
teamed up with Tim Rice to pen the soundtrack to Disney’s The Lion King
soundtrack to Disney’s The Lion King
soundtrack to Disney’s The Lion King [Music]
of the film several hit songs can you
of the film several hit songs can you feel the love tonight earn John both a
feel the love tonight earn John both a
feel the love tonight earn John both a Grammy and an Oscar in 1995 he paid
Grammy and an Oscar in 1995 he paid
Grammy and an Oscar in 1995 he paid tribute to his roots with made in
tribute to his roots with made in
tribute to his roots with made in England and released love songs the next
England and released love songs the next
England and released love songs the next year the big picture hits doors in 1997
year the big picture hits doors in 1997
year the big picture hits doors in 1997 just months after John lost his friends
just months after John lost his friends
just months after John lost his friends Gianni Versace and Princess Diana he
Gianni Versace and Princess Diana he
Gianni Versace and Princess Diana he performed a reworked version of candle
performed a reworked version of candle
performed a reworked version of candle in the wind in moving tribute to Lady
in the wind in moving tribute to Lady
in the wind in moving tribute to Lady died at her funeral and this song became
died at her funeral and this song became
died at her funeral and this song became his biggest hit ever it also won him
his biggest hit ever it also won him
his biggest hit ever it also won him another Grammy and you footsteps with a
another Grammy and you footsteps with a
another Grammy and you footsteps with a blue-screen steers you candles burned
blue-screen steers you candles burned
blue-screen steers you candles burned out before
let never win Elton John then
let never win Elton John then transitioned to theater by adapting the
transitioned to theater by adapting the
transitioned to theater by adapting the Lion King into a stage show in 1997 and
Lion King into a stage show in 1997 and
Lion King into a stage show in 1997 and by penning the Tony and Grammy
by penning the Tony and Grammy
by penning the Tony and Grammy award-winning Aida with Tim Rice the
award-winning Aida with Tim Rice the
award-winning Aida with Tim Rice the following year 1998 also saw John
following year 1998 also saw John
following year 1998 also saw John knighted by Queen Elizabeth the second
knighted by Queen Elizabeth the second
knighted by Queen Elizabeth the second between releasing albums pioneering
between releasing albums pioneering
between releasing albums pioneering Billy Elliot the Musical and tackling
Billy Elliot the Musical and tackling
Billy Elliot the Musical and tackling Las Vegas stage shows Elton John stayed
Las Vegas stage shows Elton John stayed
Las Vegas stage shows Elton John stayed busy in 2005 he entered a civil union
busy in 2005 he entered a civil union
busy in 2005 he entered a civil union with his longtime partner David Furnish
with his longtime partner David Furnish
with his longtime partner David Furnish and the couple later had baby Zachary
and the couple later had baby Zachary
and the couple later had baby Zachary Jackson Levon furnished John via a
Jackson Levon furnished John via a
Jackson Levon furnished John via a surrogate John also toured with fellow
surrogate John also toured with fellow
surrogate John also toured with fellow piano man Billy Joel performed with Lady
piano man Billy Joel performed with Lady
piano man Billy Joel performed with Lady gaga
lent his music to the soundtrack of
lent his music to the soundtrack of Gnomeo and Juliet and collaborated with
Gnomeo and Juliet and collaborated with
Gnomeo and Juliet and collaborated with Leon Russell on 2010’s the Union Elton
Leon Russell on 2010’s the Union Elton
Leon Russell on 2010’s the Union Elton John has boasted over 50 hit songs
John has boasted over 50 hit songs
John has boasted over 50 hit songs through his career and has sold over 250
through his career and has sold over 250
through his career and has sold over 250 million albums making him one of
million albums making him one of
million albums making him one of history’s most successful musicians he’s
history’s most successful musicians he’s
history’s most successful musicians he’s known for his outspoken diva personality
known for his outspoken diva personality
known for his outspoken diva personality eccentric costumes and blend of varied
eccentric costumes and blend of varied
eccentric costumes and blend of varied influences but it’s his genius as a
influences but it’s his genius as a
influences but it’s his genius as a pianist songwriter and vocalist that
pianist songwriter and vocalist that
pianist songwriter and vocalist that keeps this bitch coming back
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