On This Day

Elton John

Musician

Born: British

Sir Elton Hercules John is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. His music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting effect on the music industry, and his songwriting partnership with the lyricist Bernie Taupin is one of the most successful in history. John was the 19th EGOT winner in history. He has sold over 300 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

John learnt to play piano at an early age, winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. In the 1960s he formed the blues band Bluesology, wrote songs for other artists alongside Taupin, and worked as a session musician, before releasing his debut album, Empty Sky (1969). Throughout the next six decades, John cemented his status as a cultural icon with 32 studio albums, including Honky Château (1972), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973), Rock of the Westies (1975), Sleeping with the Past (1989), The One (1992), Songs from the West Coast (2001), The Diving Board (2013) and The Lockdown Sessions (2021).

Notable For

British musician and songwriter

Elton John's Historical Timeline

  1. Elton John is born

    Elton John, British musician, known for british musician and songwriter, was born on 1948-03-25. Sir Elton Hercules John is a British singer, songwriter and pianist.

  2. "Honky Chateau" becomes Elton John's first No. 1 album in the US, includes hit "Rocket Man"

    Sir Elton Hercules John is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. His music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting effect on the music industry, and his songwriting partnership with the...

  3. Apple Records releases John Lennon's fifth studio album, "Walls & Bridges" in the UK; features #1 single "Whatever Gets

    Apple Records releases John Lennon's fifth studio album, "Walls & Bridges" in the UK; features #1 single "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" (with Elton John) and "#9 Dream"

  4. English rock star Elton John receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

    English rock star Elton John receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

  5. Elton John is honored by Madison Square Garden's MSG Hall of Fame

    Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City.

  6. Elton John sells out Madison Square Garden in New York City for a record 26th time

    Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City.

  7. Elton John is awarded $518,700 by Sunday Mirror for a false report on his diet

    Elton John is awarded $518,700 by Sunday Mirror for a false report on his diet

  8. Elton John kicks off the North American leg of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at Citizens Bank Park, P

    Elton John kicks off the North American leg of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  9. Elton John completes the North American leg of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at Dodger Stadium in Los

    Elton John completes the North American leg of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California

  10. English singer Elton John wins an Emmy Award for the television special "Elton John: Farewell From Dodger Stadium", comp

    English singer Elton John wins an Emmy Award for the television special "Elton John: Farewell From Dodger Stadium", completing his EGOT (winning all four major American entertainment awards)

Associated Historical Events

birth

Elton John is born

Elton John, British musician, known for british musician and songwriter, was born on 1948-03-25. Sir Elton Hercules John is a British singer, songwriter and pianist.

"Honky Chateau" becomes Elton John's first No. 1 album in the US, includes hit "Rocket Man"

Sir Elton Hercules John is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. His music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting effect on the music industry, and his songwriting partnership with the...

Apple Records releases John Lennon's fifth studio album, "Walls & Bridges" in the UK; features #1 single "Whatever Gets

Apple Records releases John Lennon's fifth studio album, "Walls & Bridges" in the UK; features #1 single "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" (with Elton John) and "#9 Dream"

English rock star Elton John receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

English rock star Elton John receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Elton John is honored by Madison Square Garden's MSG Hall of Fame

Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City.

Elton John sells out Madison Square Garden in New York City for a record 26th time

Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City.

Elton John is awarded $518,700 by Sunday Mirror for a false report on his diet

Elton John is awarded $518,700 by Sunday Mirror for a false report on his diet

Elton John kicks off the North American leg of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at Citizens Bank Park, P

Elton John kicks off the North American leg of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Elton John completes the North American leg of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at Dodger Stadium in Los

Elton John completes the North American leg of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour" at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California

English singer Elton John wins an Emmy Award for the television special "Elton John: Farewell From Dodger Stadium", comp

English singer Elton John wins an Emmy Award for the television special "Elton John: Farewell From Dodger Stadium", completing his EGOT (winning all four major American entertainment awards)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Elton John born?
Elton John was born on 1948-03-25 (British).
What is Elton John known for?
British musician and songwriter
What historical events involved Elton John?
Elton John was involved in 10 recorded historical events, including Elton John is born, "Honky Chateau" becomes Elton John's first No. 1 album in the US, includes hit "Rocket Man", Apple Records releases John Lennon's fifth studio album, "Walls & Bridges" in the UK; features #1 single "Whatever Gets .

Related Years