Amongst these, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy was the first album ever to enter the Billboard Chart at #1. In 1970, Elton’s self-titled breakthrough album and evergreen hit Your Song introduced him to an international stage, and in the period between 19, with producer Gus Dudgeon at the helm, Elton recorded an astonishing fourteen albums: Elton John Tumbleweed Connection 11-17-70 Friends Soundtrack Madman Across The Water Honky Chateau Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Caribou Greatest Hits Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy Rock Of The Westies Here And There and Blue Moves. Since that day he has toured constantly all over North America and throughout the rest of the world. The gig received ecstatic reviews and Elton became, literally, an overnight sensation. On August 25, 1970, he played his debut concert in America, appearing at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, CA, with his band, which included Nigel Olsson on drums and Dee Murray on bass. From the start Elton and Bernie were prolific songwriters, writing for other artists as well as creating and recording songs for Elton.Įlton’s touring career in Great Britain began in 1970 when he played clubs such as The Revolution, The Roundhouse, The Marquee and The Speakeasy in London, as well as Mothers in Birmingham and The Twisted Wheel in Manchester. In 1968, they became staff songwriters for Dick James’ DJM label. Publicity shot of Elton and Bernie Taupin, 1971 Most unusually, Bernie writes the lyrics first and Elton then composes the music. They have maintained this method of songwriting throughout their career, and have still never written a song together in the same room. Ray Williams at Liberty Records put Elton in touch with Bernie, and they started to write songs together, initially corresponding by mail.
In 1967, both Bernie and Elton answered a “Talent Wanted” advert that was placed in the New Musical Express by Liberty Records. Writer Bernie Taupin was born in Lincolnshire, UK, on May 22, 1950. Elton’s stage name, which became his legal name in 1967, was taken from the Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean, and their lead singer, Long John Baldry. Between 19, Elton played keyboard with Bluesology as they gigged throughout the UK, often backing visiting American artists. A year later members of this band reformed as Bluesology. Elton’s live performances began in 1962 when he played weekend pub piano at The Northwood Hills hotel and went on to join his first band, The Corvettes. At the age of 11 he was awarded a scholarship as a Junior Exhibitor at the Royal Academy of Music and he attended the Academy on Saturday mornings for the next four years Music and he attended the Academy on Saturday mornings for the next four years.Įlton in his teens. At the age of three he astonished his family by sitting at the piano and playing The Skater’s Waltz by ear. He achieved seven #1 albums in the three-and-a-half-year period from 1972 to 1975 - a period of concentrated success surpassed only by the Beatles.Įlton was born on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, and given the name Reginald Kenneth Dwight. He has had 56 top 40 singles in the United States, a total second only to Elvis Presley. Over the five decades since his career began in 1969, Elton has played more than 3,500 concerts worldwide.Įlton is the third most successful artist in the history of the American charts, behind only Elvis Presley and the Beatles. He has achieved 35 gold and 25 platinum albums, has sold more than 250 million records worldwide, and holds the record for the biggest selling single of all time. Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, is one of the most highly acclaimed and successful solo artists of all time.