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 musical talent, flamboyant performances, and long-standing songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin. He is an EGOT winner and one of the best-selling music artists in history, with over 300 million records sold worldwide. His impact on the music industry is significant and enduring.
In June 1975, Elton John introduced a new band line-up at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Davey Johnstone and Ray Cooper were retained, Quaye and Roger Pope returned, and Kenny Passarelli joined as the new bassist. James Newton Howard joined to arrange in the studio and play keyboards.
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 to 1976, 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" in 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 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, remaining there for seven weeks. The album revealed John's personality, with lyrics by Taupin describing their early days in London. The release also signaled the end of the Elton John Band, leading to Olsson and Murray being dismissed.
From late 1975 to 1976, Elton John was a part-owner of the Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League.
In 1976, Elton John became the chairman and director of Watford, a team he has supported since his youth.
The years 1970 to 1976 are widely regarded as the critical peak of Elton John's career.
In November 1977, Elton John announced he was retiring from performing, leading Taupin to begin collaborating with others.
In 1979, accompanied by Ray Cooper, Elton John became one of the first Western artists to tour the Soviet Union and Israel.
In 1980, Elton John released the album 21 at 33, which was a significant career boost aided by the hit song "Little Jeannie".
In 1979, John and Taupin reunited, though they did not collaborate on a full album until 1983's "Too Low For Zero".
In 1983, under Elton John's chairmanship, Watford Football Club finished as runners-up in the English First Division, marking a significant achievement for the club.
In 1985, Elton John was one of the performers at Live Aid, held at Wembley Stadium. He performed "Bennie and the Jets" and "Rocket Man", and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with Kiki Dee.
In 1986, Elton John's collaboration with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder on "That's What Friends Are For" reached number one in the US, raising funds for HIV/AIDS research.
In 1987, Elton John sold Watford Football Club to Jack Petchey but remained president of the club.
In 1990, Elton John achieved his first solo UK number one hit single, with "Sacrifice" (coupled with "Healing Hands").
In 1990, Elton John started appearing in commercials for Diet Coke.
In 1992, Elton John released the album "The One", his first album recorded entirely sober.
In 1994, Elton John, along with Tim Rice, wrote the songs for the Disney animated film "The Lion King". At the 67th Academy Awards, John won the award for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight".
On November 10, 1999, the RIAA certified "The Lion King" soundtrack "Diamond" for selling 15 million copies.
In 2002, Elton John stepped down as chairman of Watford Football Club, recognizing the need for a full-time chairman, but he continued as president.
Since 2004, Elton John has opened a shop called "Elton's Closet" annually, selling his secondhand clothes.
In 2005, Elton John held a concert at Watford's home stadium, Vicarage Road, and donated the proceeds to the club.
In 2010, Elton John held a concert at Watford's home stadium, Vicarage Road, and donated the proceeds to the club.
On December 13, 2014, Elton John appeared at Watford's Vicarage Road with his husband and sons for the opening of the "Sir Elton John stand", calling the occasion "one of the greatest days of my life".
In 2018, Elton John's John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert, "The Boy & The Piano", aired in the UK, showing him reminiscing about his life and career in reverse, ending with Christmas Day in the 1950s when he received a piano from his mother.
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.
In 2023, Elton John addressed a cross-party gathering of politicians at Westminster and said that the winner of the next general election could help to eradicate AIDS worldwide by the end of the decade.
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