Elton John Biography Sir Elton Hercules John born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947 is a British singer, songwriter, and pianist, renowned for his contributions to music, particularly during the 1970s. His dynamic musical style and showmanship have left a lasting imprint on the industry, while his partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin stands as one of the most successful collaborations in music history. Raised in Pinner, John began playing the piano at a young age, winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied for five years. In 1962, he formed the blues band Bluesology but left in 1967 to pursue a solo career, meeting Bernie Taupin the same year. Over the next two years, they wrote songs for other artists, with John also working as a session musician.
Elton John Biography
Sir Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, is one of pop music’s enduring icons. His musical journey began at the age of four when he started playing the piano. By the age of 11, he earned a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. His first band was Bluesology, but he later auditioned unsuccessfully as the lead singer for progressive rock bands King Crimson and Gentle Giant. Teaming up with lyricist Bernie Taupin, he adopted the name Elton John, combining the names of saxophonist Elton Dean and singer Long John Baldry. Together, they wrote songs for artists like Lulu and Roger Cook. In the early 1970s, John released the concept album Tumbleweed Connection and soon became the most successful pop artist of the decade.
Elton John Biography Details
| Born | Reginald Kenneth Dwight 25 March 1947 (age 77) Pinner, Middlesex, England |
| Alma mater | Royal Academy of Music |
| Occupations | Singer composer pianist |
| Years active | 1962–present |
| Spouses | Renate Blauel (m. 1984; div. 1988) David Furnish (m. 2014) |
| Children | 2 |
| Genres | Rock pop rock glam rock soft rock blues |
| Instruments | Vocals piano keyboards |
| Discography | Albums singles |
| Labels | Philips Congress DJM Uni Paramount MCA Geffen Rocket Island Mercury Island Def Jam Interscope Virgin EMI EMI |
| Member of | Elton John Band |
| Formerly of | Bluesology |
| Category | Singers Bio |
About Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. Acclaimed by critics and musicians, particularly for his work during the 1970s, his music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting impact on the music industry.
- Born: 25 March 1947 (age 77 years), Pinner, United Kingdom
- Spouse: David Furnish (m. 2014), David Furnish (m. 2005–2014), Renate Blauel (m. 1984–1988)
- Full name: Elton Hercules John
- Parents: Stanley Dwight, Sheila Eileen Dwight
Early Life and Education
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex (now part of the London Borough of Harrow), Elton John was the eldest child of Stanley Dwight (1925–1991) and Sheila Eileen (née Harris; 1925–2017). He was raised by his maternal grandparents in a council house in Pinner. After his parents married in 1945, the family moved to a semi-detached house in the area.
John attended Pinner Wood Junior School, Reddiford School, and Pinner County Grammar School. At 17, he left school just before his A-Level exams to pursue a career in music. His father, a Royal Air Force veteran, hoped John would pursue a more conventional career, such as banking, but John was determined to follow his passion for music.
Elton John at a Glance
- Category: Richest Celebrities › Rock Stars
- Net Worth: $650 Million
- Birthdate: Mar 25, 1947 (77 years old)
- Birthplace: Pinner
- Gender: Male
- Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.72 m)
- Profession: Musician, Record producer, Singer-songwriter, Pianist, Composer, Actor, Film Producer, Television producer, Voice Actor
- Nationality: United Kingdom
Elton John’s Rise to Fame
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, Elton John demonstrated his musical talent early, winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at the age of 11. His difficult childhood, as depicted in the 2019 biopic Rocketman, didn’t stop him from pursuing his musical dreams.
In the mid-1960s, he joined the band Bluesology and a couple of years later met Bernie Taupin, a key collaborator who would co-write most of his biggest hits. John’s first major success in Britain came with the 1969 release of “Lady Samantha,” but he became a global sensation in 1970 with the release of his self-titled debut album, Elton John. His performance at the Troubadour in West Hollywood that same year is considered a breakthrough moment in his career, and the release of “Your Song” became his first hit single in both the U.K. and the U.S.
What is Elton John Doing Now?
John has made it clear that he’s done touring for good. During his final show on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, he told the audience, “I will never be touring again, but I may do something in the future—a one-off thing—but that’s miles away. I want to appreciate my family, my sons, my husband, everything. I’ve earned it. And I don’t regret it tonight. want to thank the band, the crew, everybody. I will miss you guys so much, but I’ll see you much sooner than you think. I love you guys!”
Despite stepping away from the road, John continues to stay creatively active. He wrote the score for the The Devil Wears Prada musical adaptation, which premiered in London at the Dominion Theatre in October 2024. He also composed the music for Tammy Faye, a musical based on the life of Tammy Faye Messner. John has long been involved in stage musical production, composing scores for The Lion King, Billy Elliot, Aida, and more.
Elton John Net Worth and Career Earnings 2025
Elton John remarkable career in music has earned him a net worth of $650 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He has sold over 300 million albums worldwide, making him one of the most commercially successful artists in history. His extensive catalog of music and tours have been major contributors to his impressive wealth. Though not a billionaire, John’s financial success remains extraordinary. His Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which began in 2018 and concluded in 2023, grossed a staggering $940 million over the course of 330 shows. This made it the highest-grossing tour of all time, a record later surpassed by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, though Elton John still ranks in second place.