Elton John Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research

Updated 1759 GMT (0159 HKT) March 7, 2021

<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/04/showbiz/elton-john-fast-facts/index.html">Elton John</a> is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. <a href="https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7735709/elton-john-biggest-billboard-hot-100-hits" target="_blank">The singer has charted more than 60 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 list</a>, including nine No. 1 hits. <a href="https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/elton-john" target="_blank">The five-time Grammy winner </a>was inducted into the <a href="https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/elton-john" target="_blank">Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994</a> and knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his music and work in AIDS charities. Take a look at the life of the legendary musician, here performing in Los Angeles in 2016:
Photos: The legendary Elton John
Elton John is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. The singer has charted more than 60 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 list, including nine No. 1 hits. The five-time Grammy winner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his music and work in AIDS charities. Take a look at the life of the legendary musician, here performing in Los Angeles in 2016:
Hide Caption
1 of 50
Elton John plays the piano in 1970, the year he launched his first world tour.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
Elton John plays the piano in 1970, the year he launched his first world tour.
Hide Caption
2 of 50
John appears in one of his first publicity photos in 1968. The singer had officially changed his name to Elton John a year earlier after being born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, England, in 1947. The name was inspired by members of his early band, Bluesology, whose saxophone player was Elton Dean and lead singer was Long John Baldry.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John appears in one of his first publicity photos in 1968. The singer had officially changed his name to Elton John a year earlier after being born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, England, in 1947. The name was inspired by members of his early band, Bluesology, whose saxophone player was Elton Dean and lead singer was Long John Baldry.
Hide Caption
3 of 50
John, here in 1973, was known for wearing colorful costumes and wild glasses, especially in the early years. His on-stage outfits have included a duck suit, a sequined baseball uniform and a Ronald McDonald outfit. He would wear the colorful clothes to create a spectacle and offset his shyness.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John, here in 1973, was known for wearing colorful costumes and wild glasses, especially in the early years. His on-stage outfits have included a duck suit, a sequined baseball uniform and a Ronald McDonald outfit. He would wear the colorful clothes to create a spectacle and offset his shyness.
Hide Caption
4 of 50
John appears in a 1973 documentary that detailed the production of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Hit songs from that album included "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and the title track.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John appears in a 1973 documentary that detailed the production of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Hit songs from that album included "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and the title track.
Hide Caption
5 of 50
John and his songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin, hold gold records in 1973. Taupin has written the lyrics for many of John's songs over his career, and the two have worked together for decades.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John and his songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin, hold gold records in 1973. Taupin has written the lyrics for many of John's songs over his career, and the two have worked together for decades.
Hide Caption
6 of 50
John and singer Rod Stewart have a bath at the stadium of Watford Football Club in 1973. John, a lifelong Watford fan, later owned the English soccer club. Today, one of the stadium's stands is named after him.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John and singer Rod Stewart have a bath at the stadium of Watford Football Club in 1973. John, a lifelong Watford fan, later owned the English soccer club. Today, one of the stadium's stands is named after him.
Hide Caption
7 of 50
John is overwhelmed by multiple shots on goal while playing around at Watford's stadium in 1974.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John is overwhelmed by multiple shots on goal while playing around at Watford's stadium in 1974.
Hide Caption
8 of 50
John leaves a stage in the United Kingdom circa 1974. That year, he released the album "Caribou," which included songs such as "The Bitch Is Back" and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me."
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John leaves a stage in the United Kingdom circa 1974. That year, he released the album "Caribou," which included songs such as "The Bitch Is Back" and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me."
Hide Caption
9 of 50
John gives a typical energetic performance in 1974. Some of the other hit songs he had by this time: "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," "Crocodile Rock" and "Rocket Man."
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John gives a typical energetic performance in 1974. Some of the other hit songs he had by this time: "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," "Crocodile Rock" and "Rocket Man."
Hide Caption
10 of 50
John performs in Hawaii in 1974. During his career, he has been nominated for 34 Grammy Awards and won five times. He also has an Academy Award and a Tony Award.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John performs in Hawaii in 1974. During his career, he has been nominated for 34 Grammy Awards and won five times. He also has an Academy Award and a Tony Award.
Hide Caption
11 of 50
John appears on stage with John Lennon at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1974.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John appears on stage with John Lennon at New York's Madison Square