From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Elton John made an impact.
Sir Elton John is a highly successful British singer, songwriter, and pianist, renowned for his contributions to the music industry. His partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin has produced numerous hit songs, contributing to over 300 million records sold globally. Elton John's impact extends beyond music, solidifying him as one of the best-selling artists ever and an EGOT winner.
In 1967, John began writing with Bernie Taupin after answering an advertisement placed in New Musical Express, marking the start of a long-lasting and successful partnership.
From 1970 to 1976, this period is widely regarded as the most commercially successful and critical peak of John's career.
Between 1972 and 1975, Elton John achieved seven consecutive number-one albums in the United States, a feat that had not been accomplished prior to that time.
In June 1975, Elton John introduced a new line-up at Wembley Stadium in London. The line-up included Davey Johnstone, Ray Cooper, Caleb Quaye, Roger Pope, Kenny Passarelli, and James Newton Howard.
Between 1972 and 1975, Elton John achieved seven consecutive number-one albums in the United States, a feat that had not been accomplished prior to that time.
From late 1975, Elton John was a part-owner of the Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League.
In 1975, Elton John released the song "Philadelphia Freedom" as a tribute to his friend Billie Jean King's World Team Tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms.
In 1975, Elton John was among a group of musicians who helped to finance the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".
In 1975, Elton John's autobiographical album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy debuted at number one in the US, staying there for seven weeks. The album signaled the end of the Elton John Band, leading to the dismissal of Olsson and Murray.
In May 1976, the live album Here and There by Elton John was released.
From 1970 to 1976, this period is widely regarded as the most commercially successful and critical peak of John's career.
In 1976, Elton John became the chairman and director of Watford Football Club, which he had supported since his youth.
Until 1976, Elton John was a part-owner of the Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League.
In November 1977, Elton John announced his retirement from performing, and Taupin began collaborating with other artists.
In 1978, Elton John issued A Single Man album with a new lyricist, Gary Osborne.
In May 1979, Elton John played eight concerts in the Soviet Union; four dates in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) and four in Moscow.
In 1979, accompanied by Ray Cooper, Elton John became one of the first Western artists to tour the Soviet Union and Israel.
On 13 September 1980, Elton John, with Olsson and Murray back in the band, performed a free concert to an estimated 400,000 fans on The Great Lawn in Central Park in New York City.
In 1980, Elton John's album 21 at 33, was released, and he collaborated with France Gall and Michel Berger on the songs "Donner pour donner" and "Les Aveux", released together as a single.
In 1981, Elton John's album The Fox was recorded during the same sessions as 21 at 33 and included collaborations with Tom Robinson and Judie Tzuke.
On 24 December 1982, Elton John performed "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with Kiki Dee at Hammersmith Odeon.
In 1982, the album Jump Up! was released, and the biggest hit from the album was "Blue Eyes".
In October 1983, Elton John caused controversy when he broke the United Nations' cultural boycott on apartheid-era South Africa by performing at Sun City.
In 1979 John and Taupin reunited, although they did not collaborate on a full album until 1983's Too Low For Zero.
In 1983, at their height, Watford Football Club finished runners up in the First Division.
In 1984, Elton John married Renate Blauel on Valentine's Day. He also released the album Breaking Hearts, which featured the song "Sad Songs (Say So Much)".
In 1985, Elton John performed at Live Aid and released "Nikita" from the album Ice on Fire.
In 1985, John joined Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder in recording the single "That's What Friends Are For", with profits donated to the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
In 1986, Elton John collaborated with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder on "That's What Friends Are For", which reached number one in the US and raised funds for HIV/AIDS research. Also that year, a live orchestral version of "Candle in the Wind" reached number six in the US.
Since 1986, John has been actively involved in charity fundraising events, marking the beginning of his extensive philanthropic efforts.
In 1987, Elton John sold Watford Football Club to Jack Petchey, but remained president of the club.
In 1988, Elton John performed five sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 2,000 items of John's memorabilia were auctioned off at Sotheby's in London. He also released "I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That" from the album Reg Strikes Back.
Beginning in 1990, Elton John appeared in commercials for Diet Coke.
Following the death of his friend Ryan White in 1990, John became more closely associated with AIDS charities, raising money and awareness of the disease.
In 1990, Elton John achieved his first solo UK number one hit single with "Sacrifice" from the previous year's album Sleeping with the Past, which stayed at the top spot for five weeks.
Following Freddie Mercury's death in 1991, John's commitment to AIDS charities continued, with increased efforts to raise funds and promote awareness.
In April 1992, Elton John appeared at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium, performing "The Show Must Go On" with the remaining members of Queen, and "Bohemian Rhapsody" with Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses and Queen's remaining members.
In 1992, Elton John released the US number 8 album The One, featuring the hit song "The One". It was his first album recorded entirely sober.
In 1992, John founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation after losing two friends to AIDS, raising over $600 million to support HIV-related programs globally.
In 1993, Elton John released Duets, featuring collaborations with 15 artists, including Tammy Wynette and RuPaul. He also contributed the track "Up The Revolution" to The Bunbury Tails charity album.
In 1993, John began hosting his annual Academy Awards Party, which has become a high-profile event in Hollywood, raising over US$200 million for his AIDS foundation.
In 1994, Elton John, along with Tim Rice, wrote the songs for the Disney animated film The Lion King. Three of the songs were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, with "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" winning the award.
In September 1995, Elton John appeared as Angel Rick on the original studio album of Randy Newman's musical Faust.
In December 1996, a duet with Luciano Pavarotti, "Live Like Horses", reached number nine in the UK.
Early in 1997 in January, Elton John held a 50th birthday party, costumed as Louis XIV, with 500 friends. He also performed with the surviving members of Queen in Paris at the opening night of Le Presbytère N'a Rien Perdu De Son Charme Ni Le Jardin De Son Éclat.
In September 1997, Elton John revised "Candle in the Wind" to honor Princess Diana and performed "Candle in the Wind 1997" live at her funeral on September 6, 1997. The song became the fastest and biggest-selling single of all time, selling over 33 million copies globally. Proceeds were donated to Diana's charities.
On September 15, 1997, Elton John appeared at the Music for Montserrat charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, performing solo and alongside other prominent artists.
In December 1997, Elton John appeared as himself in the Spice Girls film Spice World.
In 1997, The Lion King musical debuted on Broadway.
In 1997, at the 2nd Empire Awards, Elton John presented the comedy group Monty Python with the Empire Inspiration Award.
In 1998, Elton John's professional relationship with his manager, John Reid, came to an end.
In 1999, The Lion King musical debuted in West End theatre. Also in 1999, John composed music for Disney's musical production Aida, for which he received awards.
In June 2001, Elton John sold twenty of his cars at Christie's auction house, including a 1993 Jaguar XJ220. The sale raised nearly £2 million.
In 2001, Elton John performed "Stan" with Eminem at the Grammy Awards. One month after the 11 September attacks, John appeared at the Concert for New York City, performing "I Want Love" and "Your Song".
In 2002, Elton John stepped down as chairman of Watford Football Club because the club needed a full-time chairman, but continued as president.
In August 2003, Elton John's single, "Are You Ready for Love", topped the UK charts.
In October 2003, Elton John announced he had signed an exclusive agreement to perform 75 shows over three years at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip.
On February 13, 2004, the first of Elton John's shows, The Red Piano, took place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Since 2004, Elton John has opened a shop called "Elton's Closet" every year, where he sells his secondhand clothes.
In July 2005, Elton John featured on Tupac Shakur's posthumous single "Ghetto Gospel", which topped the UK charts.
In 2005, Elton John composed music for a West End theatre production of Billy Elliot the Musical with playwright Lee Hall.
In 2005, Elton John held a concert at Watford's home stadium, Vicarage Road, and donated the proceeds to the club.
In February 2006, Elton John and Celine Dion sang together at Caesars Palace to raise money for Harrah's Entertainment Inc. workers affected by the 2005 hurricanes.
Lestat, Elton John's only theatrical project with Taupin based on Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles, received negative reviews and closed in May 2006 after 39 performances.
In March 2007, Elton John performed at Madison Square Garden for a record-breaking 60th time for his 60th birthday. The concert was broadcast live, and a DVD recording was released.
On June 28, 2007, John hosted the ninth annual White Tie & Tiara Ball, featuring a truffle soufflé menu, surf and turf, and a knickerbocker glory ice cream, raising £3.5 million for his AIDS charity with auctions and performances.
On 1 July 2007, Elton John appeared at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium, performing in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales on what would have been her 46th birthday. Proceeds went to Diana's charities.
In 2007, John and Furnish founded the Elton John Charitable Trust, which has supported over 100 charities, demonstrating their commitment to various causes.
On 21 June 2008, Elton John performed his 200th show at Caesars Palace.
In a September 2008 GQ interview, Elton John mentioned going on tour with Billy Joel again the next year, referring to their "Face to Face" concert series.
In November 2008, a DVD/CD package of The Red Piano was released through Best Buy.
In September 2009, Elton John collaborated with Alice in Chains, playing piano on "Black Gives Way to Blue", a tribute to Layne Staley, which was the title track of the album Black Gives Way to Blue.
On 19 October 2010, Elton John released The Union, a collaboration album with Leon Russell.
In 2010, Elton John held another concert at Watford's home stadium, Vicarage Road, and donated proceeds to the club.
In 2010, John received the PRS for Music Heritage Award, commemorated with a plaque erected at the Namaste Lounge Pub in Northwood, London, where he performed his first gig.
On 28 September 2011, Elton John began his new show The Million Dollar Piano at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.
On 8 October 2011, Elton John performed his 3000th concert at Caesars.
In 2011, the White Tie & Tiara Ball hosted by John included guests such as Sarah Ferguson, Elizabeth Hurley, and George Michael, raising £5 million for John's foundation.
On 3 February 2012, Elton John visited Costa Rica for the first time, performing at the recently built National Stadium.
On 4 June 2012, Elton John performed at Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, playing a three-song set.
In July 2012, Elton John released Good Morning to the Night, an album containing remixes of songs he recorded in the 1970s.
In February 2013, Elton John performed a duet with Ed Sheeran at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.
In September 2013, Elton John received the first Brits Icon Award for his lasting impact on British culture. He also performed a duet with Rod Stewart.
In September 2013, Elton John's 31st album, The Diving Board, was released and reached number three in the UK and number four in the US.
In 2014, John launched the Elton John Sports Fund to help citizens with training and competition costs for over 50 sports, supporting individuals in pursuing their athletic goals.
In October 2015, it was announced that Elton John would release his 32nd studio album, Wonderful Crazy Night, on 5 February 2016.
As of December 2015, Billy Elliot has been seen by over 5.25 million people in London and nearly 11 million people worldwide, grossing over $800 million and winning over 80 theatre awards internationally.
In February 2016, Elton John released his 32nd album, Wonderful Crazy Night, his first full album recorded with his touring band since 2006's The Captain & the Kid.
In April 2016, the London production of Billy Elliot the Musical, which featured Tom Holland as Billy for two years, ended after 4,566 performances.
On 26 January 2017, it was announced that Elton John would compose the score for the Broadway musical version of the novel The Devil Wears Prada and its film adaptation.
In April and May 2017, John was forced to cancel all his shows scheduled due to a bacterial infection contracted during his return flight home from a South American tour in Santiago, Chile.
In June 2017, Elton John appeared in the award-winning documentary The American Epic Sessions, recording "Two Fingers of Whiskey" live on camera.
In September 2017, Elton John had a major role, as himself, in the action film Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
In November 2017, John reflected on his 50-year partnership with Bernie Taupin, highlighting their unique collaborative process and lasting impact on music.
On 24 January 2018, Elton John announced that he was retiring from touring and would embark on a three-year farewell tour, citing spending time with his family as the reason.
In September 2018, Elton John reportedly signed an agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG) to represent his new music and his work from the last 50 years. The first concert of his farewell tour took place on September 8, 2018, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, US.
In 2018, Elton John's John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert, titled "The Boy & The Piano", was shown in the UK. The advert reminisces about his life and career in reverse, culminating with him receiving a piano for Christmas in the 1950s.
In May 2019, Paramount Pictures released Rocketman, a biographical film about Elton John's life from his childhood to the 1980s, directed by Dexter Fletcher and starring Taron Egerton as Elton John.
In October 2019, Elton John released his autobiography, "Me". The audiobook of "Me" was narrated by Taron Egerton, with Elton John reading the prologue and epilogue.
In February 2020, John's first show at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland was cut short due to a diagnosis of walking pneumonia, causing him to lose his voice during the performance.
In October 2020, Elton John called attention to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, condemning the aggression and targeting of civilians.
In 2020, Elton John helped pay for his former fiancee Linda Woodrow's medical fees upon her request, despite having lost contact with her 50 years previously.
In 2020, Elton John recalled that in 1992, during the making of The One album, being 100% sober was tough, but he managed to create a good song, which was the title of the record.
In early 2020, Elton John played piano on Ozzy Osbourne's rock ballad "Ordinary Man", released on Osbourne's album of the same name. On 29 May 2020, his duet with Lady Gaga, "Sine from Above", from her album Chromatica, was released.
On 12 June 2021, Elton John released Regimental Sgt. Zippo. Recorded as his debut album in 1968, the album was shelved in favour of 1969's Empty Sky, and released vinyl-only in 2021 for Record Store Day.
In September 2021, Elton John contributed to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist by backing Miley Cyrus on a cover of the Metallica song "Nothing Else Matters".
On 1 September 2021, Elton John announced his new collaboration album The Lockdown Sessions, which he made during the first COVID-19 lockdown, and which features collaborations with various artists.
In October 2021, "Cold Heart (PNAU remix)" reached number one in the UK, becoming Elton John's first UK number one in 16 years since 2005's "Ghetto Gospel".
On 22 October 2021, Elton John released his collaboration album, The Lockdown Sessions, which he made during the first COVID-19 lockdown, featuring collaborations with artists such as Eddie Vedder, Miley Cyrus, and Dua Lipa.
On 29 November 2021, Elton John and Ed Sheeran released "Merry Christmas", a duet single for charity, with all UK profits going to the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation.
In 2021, John collaborated with young artists on the collaborative album The Lockdown Sessions and interviewed them on his Apple Music radio show Rocket Hour.
In January 2022, Elton John continued his farewell tour for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with his first show back taking place in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In March 2022, Elton John performed "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" at the memorial service for Australian cricketer Shane Warne.
In March 2022, Elton John released a digitally remastered version of his Diamonds compilation album on streaming platforms to celebrate his 75th birthday.
In August 2022, Elton John collaborated with Britney Spears on the song "Hold Me Closer", which marked Spears' first new musical release in six years.
In October 2022, the musical Tammy Faye, for which Elton John wrote the music, opened at the Almeida Theatre in London.
In November 2022, Elton John was among the people interviewed for the documentary film "If These Walls Could Sing", directed by Mary McCartney, about the recording studios at Abbey Road, which premiered in November 2022.
On 23 February 2023, The Elton John AIDS Foundation donated $125,000 via United24 to purchase ten biochemistry analysers, to help Ukrainians living with HIV to continue to access high-quality care and treatment.
On 25 June 2023, Elton John headlined the Glastonbury Festival, performing on the Pyramid Stage and closing the festival with a two-hour performance.
On 8 July 2023, Elton John performed the final concert of his farewell tour in Stockholm at the Tele2 Arena. At the time, the tour was the highest-grossing tour ever.
In 2023, Elton John addressed a cross-party gathering of politicians at Westminster, stating that the winner of the next general election could help to eradicate AIDS worldwide by the end of the decade.
On 1 October 2024, Elton John made a surprise appearance at the United States premiere of his documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late, at Alice Tully Hall in New York City. He performed "Tiny Dancer".
In 2024, John became the 19th person to achieve EGOT status after winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for Elton John: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.
In 2024, during the US presidential election, Elton John assisted Joe Biden at the opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York City, the first LGBTQ center in the National Park Service's network.
On 5 October 2025, Elton John performed at the Singapore Grand Prix for an audience of over 70,000, the largest crowd since his retirement from touring.
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