Reginald Kenneth Dwight was born in Pinner, Middlesex, England in 1947. In 1966, Elton formed his first band called Bluesology. Bluesology started out backing visiting U.S. soul artists, like the Isley Brothers, Billy Stewart and Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles.
Also, in 1966, Bluesology became the supporting band for Long John Baldry. In fact, it was from this band that Reginald got his stage name by taking the first names of Bluesology band members Elton Dean and John Baldry.
Elton teamed up with lyricist Bernie Taupin in 1967 in a partnership that continues today. They formed Rocket Records in 1973.
On the big screen, you’ll see Elton playing the Pinball Wizard in Pete Townsend’s film version of “Tommy.”
Little known fact: Elton plays piano on the Hollies 1970 hit, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.
On the charts, Elton John has had at least one Billboard top 40 song every year between 1970 and 1990, including seven number one hits. He also has had seven consecutive number one albums.
Here are Elton John’s twenty biggest single hits, according to Billboard magazine:
1. That’s What Friends Are For – 1986 – Elton’s last #1 single, but his biggest, was a collaboration with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. Proceeds from this song went into AIDS research.
2. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – 1976 – a duet with Kiki Dee.
3. Crocodile Rock – 1973 – Elton’s first #1 single.
4. Island Girl – 1975
5. Philadelphia Freedom – 1975 – listed as The Elton John Band.
6. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds – 1975 – a credit on the label goes to “the Reggae guitars of Dr. Winston O’Boogie” who was actually John Lennon doing backup vocals.
7. Bennie and the Jets – 1974 – from the “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” album.
8. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – 1973
9. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – 1974 – from the “Caribou” album.
10. I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That – 1988
11. Daniel – 1973 – from the “Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player” album.
12. Little Jeannie – 1980 – Elton’s biggest hit in four years.
13. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues – 1984 – harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder.
14. Someone Saved My Life Tonight – 1975 – from the “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” album, which went to #1 on the album charts the first week it was released.
15. The Bitch Is Back – 1974
16. Sad Songs (Say So Much) – 1984
17. Rocket Man – 1972 – a song often compared to David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”
18. Candle In The Wind – 1987 – originally recorded in 1973 for the “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” album, this haunting ballad was rerecorded with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and is a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. It has sold over 37 million copies.
19. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word – 1976 – from the “Blue Moves” album.
20. Nikita – 1986 – featuring backing vocals from George Michael of Wham! fame.
Elton John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and he was knighted in 1998.
Billboard ranked Elton, in 2008, as the most successful male artist on their list of “Top 100 All Time Artists”, coming in third, overall, just behind The Beatles and Madonna.
