Elton John

Born on March 25, 1947, Elton John aka Sir Elton Hercules John aka Reginald Kenneth Dwight is a prolific singer-songwriter, pianist, composer, record producer, and actor. He has collaborated with Bernie Taupin since 1967 and they have released more than 30 albums. John has sold more than 300 million records. He is one of the bestselling music artists in the world. John has six Grammies, Five Brit Awards and Academy Award, A Tony, Golden Globe plus a Disney Legend award and Kennedy Center honors. Rolling Stone magazine ranks John as #49 on its list of 100 influential musicians.
He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and is a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. He is Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1996 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for service to music and charitable services in1998. John is involved in the fight against AIDS and in 1992 he founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation. He hosts an annual Academy Award party which is one of the most exclusive Oscar parties in Hollywood. His foundation has raised over 200 million. He is in a civil partnership with David Furnish since 2005 and is a champion of LGBT rights and same-sex marriages.
Elton John began playing piano at 3 and he was adapt at picking out music by ear. He performed at parties and began formal piano lessons at the age of 7. At the Royal Academy of Music John played back a four page piece by Handel he had just heard.
John played as a backup musician for the Hollies' He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. From 1969 to 1973 John and Taupin wrote the album Madman Across the Water, and produced the hit Levon. In 1972 John released Honky Chateau (album) which included Rocket Man. John's album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road released in 1973 was an instant hit and topped the charts. The #1 hit Bennie and the Jets in addition to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Candle in the Wind, Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting and Grey Seal were all top hits.
Skipping to 1994, Tim Rice and John wrote the music for The Lion King. It became the 2nd highest grossing animated feature film. The Lion King won an Oscar with Can You Feel the Love Tonight as well as with the Circle of Life. In 1997 at John's 50th birthday party he dressed as Louis XIV for 550 friends. He performed with members of Queen in a tribute to Freddie Mercury. In1997 John lost two of his best friends Versace and Diana, Princess of Wales.
John performed at Madison Square Garden for his 60th birthday and Elton 60 ?€“ Live at Madison Square Garden was released. In 2010 John performed with Lady Gaga at the Grammy Awards. He released The Union in 2010 and began his new show The Million Dollar Piano in Las Vegas in 2011. John performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012. In 2013 he finally released his 31st album the Diving Board.