* Sir Elton Hercules John CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, 25 March 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, composer, pianist, record producer, and occasional actor.
* When he began to seriously consider a career in music, Elton John’s father, who served as a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force, tried to steer him toward a more conventional career, such as banking.
* John has stated that his wild stage costumes and performances were his way of letting go after such a restrictive childhood.
* Both of John’s parents were musically inclined, his father having been a trumpet player with the Bob Millar Band, a semi-professional big band that played at military dances.
* Elton John is the third most successful artist in the history of the American charts, behind only Elvis Presley and the Beatles.
* He has had 56 top 40 singles in the United States, a total second only to Elvis Presley.
* 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.
* Elton John was born on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, and given the name Reginald Kenneth Dwight.
* At the age of three he astonished his family by sitting at the piano and playing The Skater’s Waltz by ear.
* 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.
* Besides his knighthood, Elton’s landmark awards include Best British Male Artist BRIT Award, 1991; Songwriters Hall of Fame (with Bernie Taupin), 1992; induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1994; MusiCares Person of the Year, 2000; Billboard Magazine Legend of Live Award, 2006; Songwriters Hall of Fame Johnny Mercer Award (with Bernie Taupin), 2013; BRITs Icon Award, 2013;
* Elton has won 12 Ivor Novello Awards between 1973 and 2000, been nominated for a Grammy Award 11 times (winning in 1986, 1991, 1994, 1997 and 2000), and received the Grammy Legend Award in 2001.
* Three of his albums have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, including his 1970 eponymous album. Elton has 3 Oscar Award nominations (winning in 1995), and a Tony Award (with 4 nominations) for Best Original Score for Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida in 2000.