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 Biography
Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25 1947 in Pinner, England. From the age of 16, he used the name Elton John, taking it from Elton Dean and Long John Baldry, two members of his band, Bluesology. This was Elton’s second band . His first were the Corvettes which he formed when he was only 14 with his friend Stuart Brown.
Elton’s love of music stemmed from an early age when he ‘tinkered’ around on a piano. This ‘tinkering’ as he calls it, has produced some memorable hit records, including the original ‘Candle in the Wind’, co-written with his writing partner for many years, lyricist Bernie Taupin. Elton’s first No.1 hit in the USA (1972) was ‘Crocodile Rock’; while in the UK ‘Don't Go Breaking My Heart’, recorded with Kiki Dee, reached No.1 in 1976.
‘Candle in the Wind’ was rewritten as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, following her tragic death on August 31 1997. It was movingly performed by Elton at the Princess's funeral service a week later. Sales of the single have already raised millions of pounds for Princess Diana's Memorial Fund |
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