Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE (born March 25, 1947) is a rock music singer, songwriter, and pianist, is one of the most successful solo artists in music history. He has recorded a long string of records and participated in a number of musical projects over a career that is approaching its fifth decade. His flamboyant fashion sense, on-stage showmanship, and public struggles with his private life have combined with his talent to make him a legend to his many fans around the world.

1980s onwards

On 13 September 1980 Elton John played a free concert to a huge audience on The Great Lawn in Central Park in New York City, within hearing distance of his friend John Lennon's apartment building. A few months later Lennon would be murdered; Elton would mourn the loss in his 1982 hit "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)".

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13 September - 1980 - Central Park - New York City - 1982

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Elton John's biggest 1980s hits included, among others, "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues", "I'm Still Standing", "Nikita" and a 1986 live recording of "Candle in the Wind" which he recorded with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The song, which was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, was originally recorded in 1973 on his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album.

Related Topics:
1980s - 1986 - Candle in the Wind - Melbourne Symphony Orchestra - Marilyn Monroe - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

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The 1991 film documentary Two Rooms described the unusual writing style that John and Bernie Taupin use, which involves Taupin writing the lyrics on his own, and John then putting them to music, with the two never in the same room during the process.

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1991 - Two Rooms

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In 1991 John's "Basque" won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition.

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1991 - Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition

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In 1992 John performed "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "The Show Must Go On" with Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert, an AIDS charity event held at Wembley Stadium, London.

Related Topics:
1992 - Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen - Freddie Mercury - Wembley Stadium - London

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Elton John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He and Bernie Taupin had previously been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992.

Related Topics:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 1994 - Songwriters Hall of Fame - 1992

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Elton John was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1995.

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In September 1997, Taupin altered the lyrics of "Candle in the Wind" for a special version mourning the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and John performed it at her funeral in Westminster Abbey. A recorded version, "Candle in the Wind 1997", then became the fastest selling single of all time, eventually going on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide, with the proceeds going to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. John would later win the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for the single.

Related Topics:
1997 - Diana, Princess of Wales - Westminster Abbey - Candle in the Wind 1997 - Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund - Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

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Elton John was by Queen Elizabeth II on 24 February 1998.

Related Topics:
Queen Elizabeth II - 24 February - 1998

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He continues to release new material to commercial success, and tours extensively, despite being fitted with a pacemaker in July 1999. His face-to-face tours with fellow pianist Billy Joel have been a fan favourite throughout the world since the mid-1990s. Elton also has a multi-year contract to perform at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. The show, entitled The Red Piano, is a multimedia concert featuring massive props and video montages created by David LaChappelle.

Related Topics:
Pacemaker - Billy Joel - Caesar's Palace - Las Vegas - David LaChappelle

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John's dueted with Eminem on the rapper's "Stan" at the Grammy Awards of 2001. This went a long way towards absolving Eminem of charges of homophobia and thus paving the way for Eminem's greater mainstream acceptance.

Related Topics:
Eminem - Grammy Awards of 2001 - Homophobia

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He achieved yet another #1 single in the UK, being featured on 2Pac's posthumous song "Ghetto Gospel" in 2005, from the rapper's album, Loyal to the Game. The song sampled "Indian Sunset" from John's 1971 album, Madman Across the Water.

Related Topics:
2Pac - Ghetto Gospel - 2005 - Loyal to the Game - 1971 - Madman Across the Water

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On 2 July 2005, John performed at the Live 8 concert at Hyde Park in London.

Related Topics:
2 July - 2005 - Live 8 concert at Hyde Park in London

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In July of 2005, Madame Tussauds made a 227 lb. statue of Elton John, to his measurements. It took more than 1,000 hours to complete. John is currently sandwiching a two-year world tour, reaching places he has never performed in before, with his regular appearances at Caesar's palace in Las Vegas.

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