History of Elton John in Timeline
Sir Elton John is a highly acclaimed British singer, songwriter, and pianist. Especially known for his influential work in the 1970s, his music and flamboyant performances have left a lasting mark on the music industry. His songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin stands as one of the most successful collaborations ever.
1925: Stanley Dwight Born
In 1925, Stanley Dwight, Elton John's father, was born.
1945: Marriage of Elton John's Parents
In 1945, Elton John's parents, Stanley Dwight and Sheila Eileen Harris, married.
March 1947: Birth of Reginald Kenneth Dwight
In March 1947, Reginald Kenneth Dwight, known as Elton John, was born in Pinner, Middlesex.
1956: Hooked on rock and roll
In 1956, John stated he was immediately hooked on rock and roll when his mother brought home records by Elvis Presley and Bill Haley & His Comets.
1959: Roy Dwight scores in FA Cup Final
In 1959, John's paternal cousin Roy Dwight, a professional footballer, scored for Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup Final before breaking his leg later in the same match.
1962: Formation of Bluesology
In 1962, Elton John and friends formed the band Bluesology.
1966: Bluesology as Long John Baldry's Supporting Band
In 1966, Bluesology became Long John Baldry's supporting band and performed at the Marquee Club.
1967: Meeting Bernie Taupin and First Song
In 1967, Elton John answered an advertisement and met Bernie Taupin, beginning their songwriting partnership. They recorded their first song, "Scarecrow".
1967: Solo Career and Meeting Bernie Taupin
In 1967, Elton John left Bluesology to start his solo career and met Bernie Taupin, beginning their songwriting partnership.
1967: Met Bernie Taupin
In 1967, John answered an advertisement for talent and began his writing partnership with Bernie Taupin.
1968: Staff Songwriters at DJM Records
In 1968, Elton John and Bernie Taupin joined Dick James's DJM Records as staff songwriters.
1968: Single "I've Been Loving You" Release
In 1968, Elton John and Bernie Taupin released their single "I've Been Loving You" produced by Caleb Quaye.
1968: Recording of debut album
In 1968, Elton John recorded his debut album, Regimental Sgt. Zippo, which was shelved.
1968: Performed "Skyline Pigeon" at Ryan White's funeral
In 1968, John performed his ballad "Skyline Pigeon" at Ryan White's funeral.
1969: Eurovision Song Contest Contender
In 1969, Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote a song called "I Can't Go On (Living Without You)" as a contender for the UK entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, and John provided piano for Roger Hodgson's single, "Mr. Boyd".
1969: Single "Lady Samantha" and Album Empty Sky Recording
In 1969, Elton John recorded the single "Lady Samantha" and the album Empty Sky.
1969: Release of Empty Sky album
In 1969, Elton John released Empty Sky, instead of releasing the shelved Regimental Sgt. Zippo.
1969: Debut Album and Elton John Band Formation
In 1969, Elton John released his debut album, Empty Sky.
April 1970: Release of Album Elton John
In April 1970, the album Elton John was released, establishing the formula for subsequent albums.
August 1970: First American Concert
On August 25, 1970, Elton John performed his first American concert at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, California.
October 1970: Release of Tumbleweed Connection
In October 1970, the album Tumbleweed Connection was released.
1970: First gay relationship with John Reid
In 1970, after his first US shows in Los Angeles, California, Elton John started his first gay relationship with John Reid, who later became his manager.
1971: Soundtrack to Friends and Madman Across the Water
In 1971, Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote the soundtrack to the film Friends and the album Madman Across the Water.
January 1972: Legal Name Change to Elton Hercules John
On January 7, 1972, Reginald Kenneth Dwight legally changed his name to Elton Hercules John.
1972: Davey Johnstone Joins the Elton John Band and Honky Chateau
In 1972, Davey Johnstone joined the Elton John Band on guitar and backing vocals, and Honky Château was released.
1972: Performance at the Royal Variety Performance
In 1972, Elton John performed at the Royal Variety Performance.
1972: Chart-topping Albums Begin
In 1972, Elton John released Honky Château, which began a string of chart-topping albums in the US and UK.
October 1973: Release of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
In October 1973, the double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was released, gaining critical acclaim and topping charts.
November 1973: Release of "Step into Christmas"
In November 1973, "Step into Christmas" was released as a stand-alone single.
1973: Original Release of 'Candle in the Wind'
In 1973, Elton John originally released "Candle in the Wind", which was later revised by Taupin in 1997 to honor Diana, Princess of Wales.
1973: Release of Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
In 1973, the album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player was released, reaching number one in the UK, the US, and Australia.
1974: Collaboration with John Lennon and Release of Caribou
In 1974, Elton John collaborated with John Lennon on "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night". The Caribou album was also released.
1974: Formation of The Rocket Record Company and Contract with MCA
In 1974, Elton John formed his own label, The Rocket Record Company, and signed an $8 million contract with MCA.
1974: Original Release of Candle in the Wind
In 1974, the original version of Candle in the Wind was released.
June 1975: New Line-up Introduced at Wembley Stadium
In June 1975, Elton John introduced a new band line-up at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The rhythm section had a heavier backbeat and James Newton Howard joined to arrange in the studio and play keyboards.
August 1975: Outstanding Rock Personality of the Year
On August 9, 1975, Elton John was named the outstanding rock personality of the year at the first annual Rock Music Awards in Santa Monica, California.
October 1975: Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In October 1975, John received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1975: Seven Consecutive Number One Albums
From 1972 to 1975, Elton John had seven consecutive albums reach number one in the US, a previously unattained feat.
1975: Part-Owner of Los Angeles Aztecs
From late 1975, John was a part-owner of the Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League.
1975: Appearance in Tommy and Performance of "Pinball Wizard"
In 1975, Elton John played the "Local Lad" in the film adaptation of Tommy and performed the song "Pinball Wizard".
1975: Rock of the Westies Release
In 1975, Elton John released the album Rock of the Westies, continuing his critical and commercial success.
1975: Release of "Philadelphia Freedom"
In 1975, Elton John released the song "Philadelphia Freedom" in tribute to Billie Jean King's World Team Tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms.
1975: Financing Monty Python and the Holy Grail
In 1975, Elton John was among a group of musicians who helped finance the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
1975: Cocaine Overdose
In 1975, John had a cocaine overdose during "Elton Week" in Los Angeles.
1975: Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy Debuts at Number One
In 1975, the autobiographical album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy debuted at number one in the US, staying there for seven weeks and signalling the end of the Elton John Band.
May 1976: Release of 'Here and There'
In May 1976, the live album Here and There was released by Elton John.
1976: Watford Football Club Chairman
In 1976, Elton John became the chairman and director of Watford Football Club.
1976: Coming out as Bisexual
In 1976, Elton John came out as bisexual in an interview with Rolling Stone.
1976: Appointment as Chairman and Director of Watford
In 1976, John became the chairman and director of Watford, marking his formal involvement with the team he had supported since his youth.
1976: Successful Period
The period of 1970-1976 is regarded as Elton John's most commercially successful and critically acclaimed.
1976: Part-Owner of Los Angeles Aztecs
Until 1976, John was a part-owner of the Los Angeles Aztecs of the North American Soccer League.
November 1977: Retirement Announcement
In November 1977, Elton John announced he was retiring from performing.
1978: Release of 'A Single Man'
In 1978, Elton John released A Single Man, an album that did not produce any top 20 singles in the US but had two singles that made the top 20 in the UK.
May 1979: Concerts in the Soviet Union
In May 1979, Elton John played eight concerts in the Soviet Union; four dates in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) and four in Moscow.
1979: Tour of the Soviet Union and Israel
In 1979, Elton John, accompanied by Ray Cooper, became one of the first Western artists to tour the Soviet Union and Israel.
September 1980: Free Concert in Central Park
On September 13, 1980, Elton John, with Olsson and Murray back in the band, performed a free concert to an estimated 400,000 fans in Central Park, New York City.
1980: Release of 21 at 33
In 1980, Elton John released 21 at 33, aided by his biggest hit in four years, "Little Jeannie".
1981: Release of 'The Fox'
In 1981, Elton John's album The Fox was released, featuring collaborations with Tom Robinson and Judie Tzuke.
December 1982: Last Performance of 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' at Hammersmith Odeon
On December 24, 1982, Elton John and Kiki Dee last performed "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" at the Hammersmith Odeon, until their performance at Live Aid in 1985.
1982: Release of 'Jump Up!'
In 1982, Elton John released the album Jump Up!, featuring the hit song "Blue Eyes".
October 1983: Controversy at Sun City
In October 1983, Elton John caused controversy by performing at Sun City in apartheid-era South Africa, breaking the United Nations' cultural boycott.
1983: Reunion with Taupin on Full Album
In 1983, Elton John and Bernie Taupin reunited and collaborated on a full album, Too Low For Zero.
February 1984: Marriage to Renate Blauel
On 14 February 1984, Elton John married German recording engineer Renate Blauel in an extravagant wedding ceremony in Sydney, Australia.
1984: Remembrance of Childhood
In 1984, 'Abide with Me' was played at the Cup Final which made Elton cry due to evoking his childhood memories.
1984: FA Cup Final Appearance
In 1984, Watford reached the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium during Elton John's time as chairman.
1984: Marriage to Renate Blauel and Release of 'Breaking Hearts'
On Valentine's Day in 1984, Elton John married Renate Blauel. In the same year, he released Breaking Hearts, which featured the song "Sad Songs (Say So Much)".
1985: Performance at Live Aid
In 1985, Elton John performed at Live Aid, held at Wembley Stadium, playing "Bennie and the Jets", "Rocket Man", and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with Kiki Dee. He also introduced George Michael.
1985: Recording "That's What Friends Are For"
In 1985, John collaborated with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder to record "That's What Friends Are For", with the profits donated to AIDS research.
1986: The Phantom of the Opera musical release
In 1986, Andrew Lloyd Webber released The Phantom of the Opera musical.
1986: Success of 'That's What Friends Are For'
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.
1986: "Don't Give Up" impact on sobriety
In 1986, John attributed his sobriety to the Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel duet "Don't Give Up".
1986: Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music
In 1986, John received a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
1986: Charity Fundraising Involvement
Since 1986, John has been involved in charity fundraising events.
1987: End of First Watford Football Club Chairman
In 1987, Elton John ended his first term as the chairman and director of Watford Football Club.
1987: Libel case against The Sun
In 1987, Elton John won a libel case against The Sun, which published false allegations about him.
1987: Sale of Watford
In 1987, John sold Watford to Jack Petchey, although he remained president of the club.
1988: Divorce from Renate Blauel
Elton John's marriage to Renate Blauel ended in divorce in 1988.
1988: Madison Square Garden Shows and Sotheby's Auction
In 1988, Elton John performed five sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. Also in 1988, 2,000 items of his memorabilia were auctioned off at Sotheby's in London, netting over $20 million.
April 1990: Support for Ryan White
In April 1990, John traveled to Indianapolis to support his friend Ryan White, a teenage haemophiliac, as his health deteriorated. He dedicated "Candle in the Wind" to White at Farm Aid IV on the eve of White's death and performed "Skyline Pigeon" at White's funeral.
1990: Beginning of Diet Coke commercials
Elton John began appearing in commercials for Diet Coke in 1990.
1990: First Solo UK Number One Hit
In 1990, Elton John achieved his first solo UK number one hit single, with "Sacrifice" (coupled with "Healing Hands").
1990: Sobriety
In 1990, Elton John became clean and sober after struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.
1990: Associated with AIDS charities after the death of Ryan White
In 1990, following the death of his friend Ryan White, John became more closely associated with AIDS charities.
1991: Brit Award and Grammy Win
In 1991, "Basque" won the Grammy for Best Instrumental, and John won Best British Male at the Brit Awards in London.
1991: Brit Award for Best British Male
In 1991, John received a Brit Award for Best British Male.
1991: Death of Stanley Dwight
In 1991, Stanley Dwight, Elton John's father, passed away.
1991: Becoming a fan of the Atlanta Braves
In 1991, after moving to Atlanta, Georgia, Elton John became a fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team.
1991: Associated with AIDS charities after the death of Freddie Mercury
In 1991, following the death of his friend Freddie Mercury, John became more closely associated with AIDS charities.
April 1992: Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert
In April 1992, Elton John appeared at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium, performing "The Show Must Go On" with Queen and "Bohemian Rhapsody" with Axl Rose and Queen.
1992: Elton John AIDS Foundation Establishment
In 1992, Elton John established the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
1992: Release of 'The One'
In 1992, Elton John released the album The One, his first album recorded entirely sober. He also signed a music publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music.
1992: Statement on being Gay
In 1992, Elton John stated in an interview with Rolling Stone that he was "quite comfortable about being gay".
1992: Induction into Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 1992, Elton John was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
1992: Founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation
In 1992, John founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation, a charity to fund HIV/AIDS prevention programs and provide services to affected individuals.
1993: Beginning of relationship with David Furnish
In 1993, Elton John began a relationship with David Furnish.
1993: Release of 'Duets'
In 1993, Elton John released Duets, which featured collaborations with 15 artists and including a new collaboration with Kiki Dee on the song "True Love".
1993: Hosted first annual Academy Award Party
In 1993, John began hosting his annual Academy Award Party, which became a high-profile event raising money for AIDS charities.
1993: Auction of Jaguar XJ220
Included in the auction of cars was a 1993 Jaguar XJ220, the most expensive at £234,750.
1994: The Lion King
In 1994, Elton John composed music for The Lion King.
1994: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1994, Elton John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Axl Rose.
1994: Songwriting for 'The Lion King'
In 1994, Elton John, along with Tim Rice, wrote the songs for the Disney animated film The Lion King, including the Academy Award-winning song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight".
1994: Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
In 1994, John won the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King, shared with Tim Rice.
September 1995: Appearance on 'Faust'
In September 1995, Elton John appeared as Angel Rick on the original studio album of Randy Newman's musical Faust.
1995: Re-release of Caribou
In 1995, Elton John re-released his album Caribou.
1995: Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music
In 1995, John received a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
January 1996: Expenditure on Property
Between January 1996 and September 1997, Elton John spent more than £9.6m on property.
December 1996: Release of 'Live Like Horses' with Pavarotti
In December 1996, Elton John released "Live Like Horses", a duet with Luciano Pavarotti, which reached number nine in the UK.
January 1997: 50th Birthday Party and Performance with Queen
In January 1997, Elton John held a 50th birthday party and performed with the surviving members of Queen at the opening night of a Maurice Béjart ballet.
September 1997: Expenditure on Flowers
Between January 1996 and September 1997, Elton John spent more than £293,000 on flowers.
September 1997: Music for Montserrat charity concert
In September 1997, Elton John appeared at the Music for Montserrat charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, performing solo and alongside other artists.
September 1997: Performance of 'Candle in the Wind 1997' at Diana's Funeral
On 6 September 1997, Elton John performed "Candle in the Wind 1997" live for the only time at Diana, Princess of Wales' funeral in Westminster Abbey. The song became the fastest- and biggest-selling single of all time.
December 1997: Appearance in Spice World film
In December 1997, Elton John appeared as himself in the Spice Girls film Spice World, marking another appearance in popular culture.
1997: Presentation of Empire Inspiration Award
At the 2nd Empire Awards in 1997, Elton John presented the comedy group Monty Python with the Empire Inspiration Award.
1997: "Candle in the Wind 1997" Release
In 1997, Elton John released "Candle in the Wind 1997", his tribute single to Diana, Princess of Wales.
1997: Return to Watford Football Club Chairman
In 1997, Elton John returned to Watford Football Club as chairman and director.
1997: Performance at Princess Diana's Funeral
In 1997, John performed at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales at Westminster Abbey.
1997: The Lion King musical Broadway debut
In 1997, The Lion King musical debuted on Broadway, marking a significant moment in Elton John's career as a composer for musical theatre.
February 1998: Knighted by Elizabeth II
On 24 February 1998, John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to music and charity.
1998: 'Candle in the Wind 1997' Wins Grammy Award
In 1998, "Candle in the Wind 1997" won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards.
1998: Knight Bachelor Appointment
In 1998, Elton John was appointed Knight Bachelor for services to music and charity.
1998: Meeting Tony Blair at Brit Awards
In 1998, John met Tony Blair at the Brit Awards, where Blair awarded him the Freddie Mercury Award for his charitable work with the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
1998: Receives Knighthood
In 1998, John was recognised for his services to charity, receiving a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.
1998: End of John Reid Management
John Reid stopped being Elton John's manager in 1998, though the romantic relationship had ended five years prior.
November 1999: 'The Lion King' Certified Diamond
On 10 November 1999, the RIAA certified the soundtrack for The Lion King "Diamond" for selling 15 million copies.
1999: The Lion King musical West End theatre debut
In 1999, The Lion King musical debuted in West End theatre. Also, in 1999, John composed music for Disney's musical production Aida with lyricist Tim Rice.
2000: Admission to spending habits
In 2000, Elton John admitted to spending £30 million in just under two years—an average of £1.5 million a month.
2000: Criticism of Catholic Church's views on homosexuality
In 2000, Elton John criticised the Roman Catholic Church's views on homosexuality.
2000: Seeing Billy Elliot
In 2000, Elton John watched the British coming-of-age film Billy Elliot.
2000: Named MusiCares Person of the Year
In 2000, John was named the MusiCares Person of the Year for his artistic achievement and philanthropy.
June 2001: Car Auction at Christie's
In June 2001, Elton John sold twenty of his cars at Christie's auction house, raising nearly £2 million.
2001: Performance at the Grammy Awards and Concert for New York City
In 2001, Elton John performed "Stan" with Eminem at the Grammy Awards. One month after the 11 September attacks, he appeared at the Concert for New York City, performing "I Want Love" and a duet of "Your Song" with Billy Joel.
2002: End of Second Watford Football Club Chairman
In 2002, Elton John ended his second term as the chairman and director of Watford Football Club.
2002: Party at the Palace Performance
In 2002, John performed at the Party at the Palace.
2002: Stepping Down as Chairman
In 2002, John stepped down as chairman of Watford when the club needed a full-time chairman but continued as president.
2002: Discussing Bulimia
In 2002, in a CNN interview with Larry King, John revealed he and Diana, Princess of Wales, were both bulimic.
August 2003: "Are You Ready for Love" tops UK charts
In August 2003, Elton John's fifth UK number one single, "Are You Ready for Love", topped the charts, marking a significant achievement in his musical career.
2003: Sale of Holland Park home contents
In 2003, Elton John sold the contents of his Holland Park home to modernize the decoration and display his contemporary art collection.
2003: Inspiration for "Merry Christmas" music video
The music video for the 2021 "Merry Christmas" single by Elton John and Ed Sheeran was inspired by a scene from the 2003 film "Love Actually".
February 2004: The Red Piano show premieres
On 13 February 2004, the first of Elton John's shows, The Red Piano, took place at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.
2004: Opening of Elton's Closet
Every year since 2004, Elton John has opened a shop called "Elton's Closet", in which he sells his secondhand clothes.
2004: Received Kennedy Center Honor
In 2004, John received a Kennedy Center Honor.
July 2005: Features on Tupac Shakur's "Ghetto Gospel"
In July 2005, Elton John featured on rapper Tupac Shakur's posthumous single "Ghetto Gospel", which topped the UK charts.
December 2005: Civil Partnership with David Furnish
On 21 December 2005, Elton John and David Furnish were among the first couples to form a civil partnership in the United Kingdom.
2005: Music for Billy Elliot the Musical
In 2005, Elton John composed music for Billy Elliot the Musical.
2005: Civil Partnership with David Furnish
In 2005, Elton John entered a civil partnership with David Furnish.
2005: Watford Concert
In 2005, John held a concert at Watford's home stadium, Vicarage Road, and donated proceeds to the club.
2005: Awarded Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2005, John was awarded the Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award.
2005: Hurricanes affect Harrah's Entertainment Inc. workers
In 2005, hurricanes affected Harrah's Entertainment Inc. workers.
February 2006: Performance with Celine Dion for charity
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.
May 2006: Lestat closes after negative reviews
In May 2006, Lestat, Elton John's only theatrical project with Taupin, closed after 39 performances due to negative reviews.
October 2006: Named a Disney Legend
On 9 October 2006, The Walt Disney Company named Elton John a Disney Legend for his contributions to Disney's films and theatrical works.
2006: Recorded full album with touring band
In 2006, Elton John recorded The Captain & the Kid, a full album with his touring band.
2006: Received Disney Legends Award
In 2006, John received a Disney Legends Award.
2006: Political Views
In 2006, John stated he considered himself a Labour man and expressed admiration for Tony Blair.
2006: Call to ban religion
In a 2006 interview with The Observer, Elton John stated that he would "ban religion completely".
March 2007: 60th Birthday Concert at Madison Square Garden
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 as Elton 60 – Live at Madison Square Garden.
June 2007: Ninth annual White Tie & Tiara Ball
On June 28, 2007, John hosted the ninth annual White Tie & Tiara Ball, raising £3.5 million for his AIDS charity through auctions and performances.
July 2007: Concert for Diana Performance
On 1 July 2007, Elton John appeared at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, opening and closing the concert with several of his songs.
2007: Founded Elton John Charitable Trust
In 2007, John and his husband David Furnish founded the Elton John Charitable Trust, supporting over 100 charities.
2007: Kanye West sampled John's "Someone Saved My Life Tonight"
In 2007, Kanye West sampled Elton John's "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" on his song "Good Morning".
June 2008: 200th show at Caesars Palace
In June 2008, Elton John performed his 200th show at Caesars Palace, marking a significant milestone in his residency.
September 2008: Announces Face to Face tour with Billy Joel
In a September 2008 GQ interview Elton John said, "I'm going on the road again with Billy Joel again next year", referring to "Face to Face", a series of concerts featuring the two. The tour began in March.
November 2008: The Red Piano DVD/CD package released
In November 2008, A DVD/CD package of The Red Piano was released through Best Buy.
2008: Obama's Victory
After senator Barack Obama won the 2008 United States presidential election, John called Obama's victory "incredibly moving."
2008: Preference for civil partnerships
In 2008, Elton John stated that he preferred civil partnerships to marriage for gay people.
April 2009: Wealth Estimation
In April 2009, the Sunday Times Rich List estimated Elton John's wealth at £175 million (US$265 million) and ranked him the 322nd wealthiest person in Britain.
September 2009: Collaboration with Alice in Chains
In September 2009, Elton John collaborated with Alice in Chains, playing piano in the song "Black Gives Way to Blue", a tribute to Layne Staley.
2009: 'Candle in the Wind 1997' Recognized as Best-Selling Single
In 2009, Guinness World Records recognized "Candle in the Wind 1997" as "the biggest-selling single since UK and US singles charts began in the 1950s."
2009: Labeled as a "floating voter"
In 2009, despite being called one of the Labour Party's most stalwart supporters, John was described as a "floating voter" by The Daily Telegraph.
October 2010: Release of The Union
On 19 October 2010, Elton John released The Union, a collaboration album with Leon Russell, marking a new chapter in his recording career.
December 2010: Birth of Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John
On 25 December 2010, Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John, Elton John and David Furnish's elder son, was born via surrogacy in California.
2010: Description of Jesus as gay
In 2010, Elton John described Jesus as a "compassionate, super-intelligent gay man", sparking criticism from some Christian groups.
2010: Watford Concert
In 2010, John held a concert at Watford's home stadium, Vicarage Road, and donated proceeds to the club.
2010: Received PRS for Music Heritage Award
In 2010, John received the PRS for Music Heritage Award, erected at The Namaste Lounge Pub where he performed his first gig.
2010: Invited to Kanye West's Hawaii studio
In 2010, Kanye West invited Elton John to his Hawaii studio to play piano and sing on "All of the Lights".
September 2011: The Million Dollar Piano show
On 28 September 2011, Elton John began his new show The Million Dollar Piano at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, where he performed it for the next three years.
October 2011: 3000th concert
On 8 October 2011, Elton John performed his 3000th concert at Caesars Palace, a significant milestone in his career.
2011: White Tie & Tiara Ball
In 2011, John's White Tie & Tiara Ball raised £5 million, adding to the £45 million the balls had raised for his foundation.
February 2012: First visit to Costa Rica
On 3 February 2012, Elton John visited Costa Rica for the first time, performing at the recently built National Stadium.
June 2012: Performance at Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Concert
On 4 June 2012, Elton John performed at Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, playing a three-song set.
July 2012: Good Morning to the Night album released
In July 2012, an album containing remixes of songs that Elton John recorded in the 1970s, Good Morning to the Night, was released. The remixes were conducted by Australian group Pnau, and the album reached number one in the UK.
2012: Support for same-sex marriage
By 2012, Elton John had changed his position and become a supporter of same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom.
2012: Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert Performance
In 2012, John performed at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert outside Buckingham Palace.
January 2013: Birth of Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John
On 11 January 2013, Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John, Elton John and David Furnish's younger son, was born via the same surrogate.
February 2013: Duet with Ed Sheeran at the Grammy Awards
In February 2013, Elton John performed a duet with singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.
September 2013: Receives Brits Icon Award
In September 2013, Elton John received the first Brits Icon Award for his "lasting impact" on the culture of the United Kingdom, presented by Rod Stewart.
September 2013: Release of The Diving Board album
In September 2013, Elton John's 31st album, The Diving Board, was released, reaching number three in the UK and number four in the US.
2013: Received first Brits Icon award
In 2013, John received the first Brits Icon award in recognition of his "lasting impact" on UK culture.
January 2014: Putin's Comments on John
In January 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of John in an attempt to show that there was no discrimination against gays in Russia.
March 2014: Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage
After same-sex marriage became legal in the United Kingdom in March 2014, John and Furnish married in Windsor, Berkshire, on December 21, 2014.
December 2014: Marriage to David Furnish
Elton John and David Furnish married in Windsor, Berkshire, on 21 December 2014, the ninth anniversary of their civil partnership.
December 2014: Opening of the "Sir Elton John stand"
On December 2014, John appeared at Watford's Vicarage Road with his husband and sons for the opening of the "Sir Elton John stand".
2014: Marriage to David Furnish
In 2014, Elton John married David Furnish when same-sex marriage was legalized in England and Wales.
2014: Jesus in favor of same-sex marriage
In 2014, Elton John stated that Jesus would have been in favor of same-sex marriage.
2014: Launched the Elton John Sports Fund
In 2014, John launched the Elton John Sports Fund to assist citizens with training and competition costs for over 50 sports.
2014: "Don't Give Up" influence
In 2014, John said that Kate Bush played a big part in his rebirth and that the record "Don't Give Up" helped him so much.
2014: The Lion King musical grossed over $6 billion
In 2014, The Lion King musical grossed over $6 billion, becoming the top-earning title in box-office history for both stage productions and films.
May 2015: Meeting with President Obama
On May 2015, John met President Obama in the White House.
September 2015: Putin Calls John
On September 2015, the Associated Press reported that Putin called John and invited him to meet in the future to discuss LGBT rights in Russia.
October 2015: Announcement of Wonderful Crazy Night album
In October 2015, it was announced that Elton John would release his 32nd studio album, Wonderful Crazy Night, on 5 February 2016.
December 2015: Billy Elliot's global success
As of December 2015, Billy Elliot had been seen by over 5.25 million people in London and nearly 11 million people worldwide, grossing over $800 million.
February 2016: Release of Wonderful Crazy Night album
In February 2016, Elton John's 32nd studio album, Wonderful Crazy Night, was released, marking his first full album recorded with his touring band since 2006.
April 2016: End of London production of Billy Elliot
In April 2016, the London production of Billy Elliot, the 12th-longest-running musical in West End history, concluded its run with 4,566 performances.
2016: Supports Hillary Clinton
During the 2016 presidential election, John supported Hillary Clinton's campaign, and performed alongside Katy Perry and Andra Day at Clinton's fundraiser concert.
2016: Supports Remaining in the European Union
In 2016, John announced his intention to vote Remain during the UK's European Union referendum on Instagram, sharing an image with the words "build bridges not walls".
January 2017: Declines Trump Inauguration Invitation
In January 2017, John declined an invitation to attend Donald Trump's inauguration, citing his British nationality.
January 2017: Composing the score for The Devil Wears Prada musical
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.
April 2017: Hospitalized for Bacterial Infection
On April 2017, John was discharged from hospital after two nights of intensive care for contracting "a harmful and unusual" bacterial infection during his return flight home from a South American tour in Santiago, Chile.
May 2017: Cancels Shows Due to Bacterial Infection
In April and May 2017, John was forced to cancel all his shows scheduled for the months due to contracting a bacterial infection.
June 2017: Appearance in The American Epic Sessions
In June 2017, Elton John appeared in the award-winning documentary The American Epic Sessions, recording live on the restored first electrical sound recording system from the 1920s and composing "Two Fingers of Whiskey".
September 2017: Trump References "Rocket Man"
In September 2017, Donald Trump referenced John's song "Rocket Man" when referring to North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un during Trump's first address to the United Nations.
September 2017: Role in Kingsman: The Golden Circle
In September 2017, Elton John had a major role, as himself, in the action movie Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
November 2017: 50-year partnership with Bernie Taupin
In November 2017, John commented on his 50-year writing partnership with Bernie Taupin.
2017: Elton John appears in Kingsman: The Golden Circle
In 2017, Elton John appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in the film Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
2017: Death of Sheila Eileen Harris
In 2017, Sheila Eileen (née Harris), Elton John's mother, passed away.
January 2018: Announcement of Retirement from Touring
On 24 January 2018, it was announced that Elton John was retiring from touring and would embark on a three-year farewell tour.
May 2018: Visit to Armenia
In May 2018, John visited Armenia and was overwhelmed with the kindness and humanity shown to him by the Armenian people.
September 2018: Farewell tour begins and signs agreement with Universal Music Group
In September 2018, Elton John began his three-year farewell tour in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Also in September 2018, he signed an agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG) to represent his new music.
2018: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour Begins
In 2018, Elton John began his final tour, Farewell Yellow Brick Road.
2018: John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert
In 2018, Elton John's John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert, titled "The Boy & The Piano", was shown in the UK.
May 2019: Release of Rocketman biopic
In May 2019, Rocketman, a biopic about Elton John's life from his childhood to the 1980s, was released.
July 2019: Sober for 29 Years
In July 2019, John stated he had been sober for 29 years.
October 2019: Release of autobiography Me
In October 2019, Elton John released his "first and only autobiography", Me.
2019: Publication of autobiography Me: Elton John Official Autobiography
Elton John published his autobiography Me: Elton John Official Autobiography in 2019.
2019: Golden Globe and Academy Award for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again"
In 2019, John and Bernie Taupin won the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again".
2019: Expresses Shame over Brexit
In 2019, John said the Brexit vote and the way it had been handled had made him ashamed.
2019: Appointed chevalier of the Legion of Honour
In 2019, President Emmanuel Macron appointed John a chevalier of the Legion of Honour and John was featured on a series of UK postage stamps issued by the Royal Mail.
2019: Rocketman Biopic Release
In 2019, the biopic Rocketman, dramatizing Elton John's life and career, was released.
2019: Death threats
In his 2019 autobiography Me, Elton John stated that he had received many death threats as a result of his statements.
February 2020: Walking Pneumonia Diagnosis
On February 2020, his first show at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand was cut short due to a walking pneumonia diagnosis, and he lost his voice during the show.
October 2020: Calls Attention to Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
In October 2020, John called attention to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
2020: Financial Assistance to Linda Woodrow
In 2020, Elton John helped pay for the medical fees of his former fiancée, Linda Woodrow, upon her request, despite having lost contact with her 50 years prior.
2020: Companion of Honour Appointment
In 2020, Elton John was appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.
2020: John Reflects on Sobriety
In 2020, John recalled that making "The One" album was tough because he "was used to making records under the haze of alcohol or drugs, and here I was, 100% sober."
2020: Appointed to Order of the Companions of Honour
In 2020, John was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II to be a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.
2020: Settlement of lawsuit with Renate Blauel
In 2020, Renate Blauel sued Elton John for writing about their relationship in his 2019 autobiography, and the case was settled later that year.
2020: Collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne and Lady Gaga
In early 2020, Elton John played piano on Ozzy Osbourne's rock ballad "Ordinary Man". On 29 May, his duet with Lady Gaga, "Sine from Above", from her album Chromatica, was released.
June 2021: Release of Regimental Sgt. Zippo
On 12 June 2021, Elton John released Regimental Sgt. Zippo, recorded as his debut album in 1968.
September 2021: Announcement of "The Lockdown Sessions" album
In September 2021, Elton John announced his new collaboration album "The Lockdown Sessions", which was created during the first COVID-19 lockdown.
September 2021: Contribution to The Metallica Blacklist
In September 2021, Elton John contributed to the charity tribute album "The Metallica Blacklist" by backing Miley Cyrus on a cover of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters".
October 2021: "Cold Heart" peaks at number one in the UK
In October 2021, "Cold Heart" peaked at number one in the UK, marking Elton John's first UK number one in 16 years and making him the first solo artist to have top 10 singles in the UK in 6 different decades.
October 2021: Release of "The Lockdown Sessions" album
In October 2021, Elton John released "The Lockdown Sessions", a collaboration album featuring artists such as Eddie Vedder, Miley Cyrus, and Dua Lipa.
October 2021: Named in the Pandora Papers
In October 2021, Elton John was named in the Pandora Papers, which allege a secret financial deal of politicians and celebrities using tax havens.
October 2021: Hip Surgery
In October 2021, John required hip surgery after "falling awkwardly on a hard surface".
November 2021: Release of "Merry Christmas" duet
On 29 November 2021, Elton John and Ed Sheeran released "Merry Christmas", a charity duet single, with proceeds benefiting their respective foundations.
2021: UK Top 10 Singles Across Six Decades
In 2021, Elton John became the first solo artist with UK top 10 singles across six decades.
2021: Collaborative album "The Lockdown Sessions"
In 2021, John collaborated with young artists on "The Lockdown Sessions" and interviewed them on his Apple Music radio show Rocket Hour.
2021: Ignored requests to meet with Boris Johnson
In 2021, John said that his requests to meet with Boris Johnson regarding Brexit and touring visas for musicians were ignored.
January 2022: Resumption of farewell tour
In January 2022, Elton John resumed his farewell tour in New Orleans, Louisiana, after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 2022: Release of remastered Diamonds album
In March 2022, Elton John celebrated his 75th birthday by releasing a digitally remastered version of his Diamonds compilation album on streaming platforms.
March 2022: Performance at Shane Warne's memorial service
On 30 March 2022, Elton John performed "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" at the memorial service for Australian cricketer Shane Warne.
June 2022: Platinum Party at the Palace Projection
On June 2022, John was projected on to the facade of Buckingham Palace playing "Your Song" at the Platinum Party at the Palace to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
August 2022: Collaboration with Britney Spears on "Hold Me Closer"
In August 2022, Elton John collaborated with Britney Spears on the song "Hold Me Closer", marking her first musical release in six years.
September 2022: Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
After the death of Elizabeth II on September 2022, John paid tribute to her during a show.
October 2022: Opening of "Tammy Faye" musical
In October 2022, the new musical "Tammy Faye", for which Elton John wrote the music, opened at the Almeida Theatre in London, England.
November 2022: Premiere of "If These Walls Could Sing"
In November 2022, 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.
December 2022: Leaves Twitter
On December 2022, John left Twitter, following changes to its rules made by new owner Elon Musk, citing concerns about misinformation.
2022: Crediting Ryan White's Family for Sobriety
At a 2022 concert in Indianapolis, John said he cleaned himself up after spending time with the family of Ryan White.
2022: Presented with the National Humanities Medal
In 2022, President Joe Biden presented John with the National Humanities Medal after his performance at the White House.
2022: Receives National Humanities Medal
In 2022, after John performed at the White House, President Joe Biden surprised him by presenting him with the National Humanities Medal.
February 2023: The Elton John AIDS Foundation donation via United24
On 23 February 2023, The Elton John AIDS Foundation donated $125,000 via United24 to purchase biochemistry analysers, to help assure that all Ukrainians living with HIV can continue to access high-quality care and treatment.
June 2023: Glastonbury Festival Headline Performance
On 25 June 2023, Elton John headlined the Glastonbury Festival, closing the festival with a two-hour performance and drawing in record-breaking TV viewing figures in the UK.
June 2023: Elton John comments on Phillip Schofield's affair
On June 2023, John commented that the reaction to Phillip Schofield's secret affair with a younger colleague was "totally homophobic".
July 2023: End of Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour
On 8 July 2023, Elton John ended his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Stockholm, Sweden.
July 2023: Final concert of the tour in Stockholm
On 8 July 2023, Elton John performed the final concert of his tour in Stockholm, Sweden, at the Tele2 Arena, marking the end of his touring career, although he intends to continue with occasional shows and recording a new album.
July 2023: Elton John testifies at Kevin Spacey's trial
On July 2023, John gave evidence as a defense witness at Kevin Spacey's sexual assault trial.
2023: End of Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour
In 2023, Elton John's final tour, Farewell Yellow Brick Road, ended, becoming the highest-grossing tour ever at the time.
2023: Addressed Politicians on AIDS Eradication
In 2023, 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.
October 2024: Surprise appearance at Elton John: Never Too Late premiere
On 1 October 2024, Elton John made a surprise appearance and performed at the United States premiere of his documentary, "Elton John: Never Too Late", in New York City, marking his first public performance since the end of his retirement tour.
December 2024: Public Opposition to Marijuana Legalization
In December 2024, John made public his opposition to marijuana legalization, noting, among other things, his own past drug use.
December 2024: New Elton John wax figure revealed
In December 2024, Madame Tussauds revealed a new wax work of John, featuring him in his 1970s heyday, suspended mid-air over his rhinestone piano.
December 2024: Reveals Sight Loss
On December 2024, John revealed that he had lost his eyesight, after a severe eye infection in July left him blind in his right eye and with limited vision in his left.
2024: Assists Biden at Stonewall Monument Opening
During the 2024 United States presidential election, John assisted Biden at the opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York.
2024: Achieved EGOT status
In 2024, John achieved EGOT status after winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Elton John: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.
2024: Publicly supports Labour
In 2024, John returned to publicly supporting Labour at the general election, endorsing the party's leader Keir Starmer to become prime minister.
2024: Named Time Magazine's Icon of the Year
In 2024, John was named Time Magazine's Icon of the Year.
