Early Life
Born Reginald Dwight, he studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music as a child and adopted the name Elton John in the late 1960s.
Career
With lyricist Bernie Taupin he wrote hits such as “Your Song”, “Rocket Man”, “Bennie and the Jets” and “Candle in the Wind”. He composed the music for Disney's The Lion King (1994), earning an Academy Award for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, and for the stage musical Billy Elliot. His Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which ran from 2018 to 2023, was among the highest-grossing concert tours ever.
Legacy
John was knighted in 1998 and has raised large sums for HIV/AIDS programs through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which he founded in 1992. He completed the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) in 2024.
Sources and further reading
Last updated: 2026-09-24