Posts Tagged ‘Elton John MFSL’

Elton John was born on March 14,1947 in Middlesex England. He was born with the name Reginald Kenneth Dwight. His name change occurred in 1972, paying homage to Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean and Long John Baldry.

In a four year decade he has sold over 250 million records making him one of the most successful artists of all time. Billboard magazine has ranked him as the most successful male artist of all time. His number one best selling single of all time from 1987 "Candle In The Wind" sold over 37 million copies.

In 1964 Elton, or Dwight as referred to in early years formed a band with some former friends calling themselves the Bluesology. They played back up for other R&B musicians such as Patti LaBelle, The Isley Brothers and Billy Stewart.

In 1968 John joined DJM records where he teamed with Taupin and a staff of songwriters. He sang backup for various artist and also during this period performed "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother." John continued to write more complex songs to record. A few that went unnoticed were" Lady Samantha" and "Border Song". Then in1970 "Your Song "made the top ten billboard hits. Soon to follow was his first concert in Los Angeles at The Troubadour. John's early compositions and piano playing talents began to come together with bassist Dee Murray, and drummer Nigel Olssen. There chemistry just plain rocked. They produced a live album during their live show in New York City.

In 1972 they added Davey Johnstone on guitar and backup vocals. Hence was what became known as the Elton John Band. They released their first album together Honky Chaetau which went number one. Well know singles from that album were "Rocket Man", "Bennie and the Jets" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". This sensationalized John as a glamour rock star. His performances made record breaking popularity.

1973 brought the release of the album "Don't Shoot Me I Am Only The Piano Player". Songs "Daniel" and "Crocodile Rock" were huge hits in England. The album and the single were brought together as one under MCA record label.

John then formed his own label Rocket Records. He signed acts like Neil Sedeka and Kiki Dee. In 1974 he collaborated with John Lennon which resulted in John's remake of The Beatles "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds."

Later Elton John appeared on Lennon's album and performed live with him which was Lennon's actual last live performance. John produced another album later that year to which some peoples opinion is probably the lesser of any of his previous work. Two top hits came off that album,"The Bitch is Back" and "Don' Let The Sun Go Down On Me". In 1975 Pete Townshend, from The Who asked John to perform the song "Pinball Wizard" for the the film Tommy. The film was a huge success as was the single from the film. John last album Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy, was an autobiographical album debuting the hit single "Someone Saved My Life Tonight". In 1979 John and Taupin came together again with another big hit, the first in almost 4 years, "Little Jeanie".

Much of Elton John's success came in the 1970's. With the outlandish ostrich feathers, big glasses and the over the top performances that he was so well known for, Elton John was a singer, a composer, a pianist, an outstanding performer and entertainer.