Elton John, One of The Biggest Stars of The 70s, Still Standing
Elton John was one of the biggest music stars of the 1970s. As a pianist and vocalist, he had a string of hits in the 70s and partially in the 80s. EJ took many approaches to life and made a name for himself quickly.
The star that would become Elton John was actually born Reginald Kenneth Dwight and joined this world on March 25, 1947 being born in Pinner, Middlesex (which now is a neighborhood of London). His father was almost always out of town, and so EJ was raised by his mother, grandmother, and aunt in what the Brits call a "council house." John took to the piano as early as age three when he played "The Skater's Waltz," which he taught himself. At seven, he began taking piano training formally.
When his father, Stanley Dwight was home, there would often be quarrels on the direction EJ should take. EJ quickly immersed himself in the world of rock'n'roll when his mother picked up records by the likes of Elvis, Bill Haley and His Comments, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
EJ never really took his piano training seriously, but an instructor did note in a reprt, that he played back "a piece by Handel like a gramophone." At 15 his parents divorced and John formed a band by the name of Bluesology. Bulesology played a mix of soul and RnB and supported the likes of Patti Labelle among others. Bluesology did release a record in 1965 "Baby Come Back to Me," but it did not even chart. John's name came from two of the band's members, Dean Elton, and Long John Baldry."
Things were looking down for EJ, but in 1967 he answered an advertisement by a private record company for an audition where, if he won, he would get a record deal. Another artist, writer Bernie Taupin also tired out. Although neither EJ nor Bernie won, they both got hooked up with each other and begin writing songs together. Unlike EJ who was raised in a metropolis, Taupin grew up in rural nothern England, so their ideas were different. Regardless, they began a strong partnership and finally met face to face at in the late 60s.
While Bernie Taupin came up with lyrics, EJ came up with music - in less than half an hour. He would discard any songs for which he couldn't come up with music. During this time the two of them became staff songwritters, writing for many different artists of the day. In 1969, Elton John played piano on the Hollies' song "He Ain't Heavy (He's my Brother).
EJ's first record was the 1969 LP "Empty Sky." It wasn't paid any attention to, but his song "Lady Samantha," did get some minor attention when 3 Dog Night released a cover in 1970 (Personally I think that one should have been a hit, it's quite good). Take a listen here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJSyDzft3Bo
At this time, Elton John and Bernie Taupin met face-to-face. A plan was made to make a record about semi-anually. The 1970 LP "Elton John," was also minor, but 1970's "Tumbleweed Connection" brought about his first hits with "Border Song," and "Your Song," (very clever EJ indeed).
On November 11, 1970, Elton John appeared live at a radio station in New York City, which led to him releasing the live record "11-17-70" (17-11-70 on the other side of the pond) in early '71. During this time, a definite band was established to record and tour with him, Davey Johnston (lead guitar), Roger Pope (drums, replaced by Nigel Olson in 1971 after he left Uriah Heep), and Dee Murray (bass). By this time, EJ had also hooked up with producer Gus Didgen, and string arranger Paul Buckmaster.
In '71 came the record "Madman Accross the Water," consisting songs such as "Levon," and "Tiny Dancer." 1972's "Honkey Chateau" (cut the Chateau d'Oreville in France due to tax problems in the UK), featured two singles - "Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna be a Long, Long Time - his best from this era and rather creepy personally), and "Honkey Cat." Later in '72, EJ came out with "Don't Shoot me I"m Only the PIano Player," which earned him another ballad "Daniel," as well, perhaps one of his signature songs "Crocodile Rock," with its fafisa organ throughout.
Before reading on, have a listen to "Levon," from "Madman Across The Water."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhBsYZ5QOJo
The year 1973 had two records. The first Elton John record of 1973 was the infamous double album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Opening with what I think puts EJ in the waters of progressive rock, "Funeral for a Friend/Love LIes Bleeding," - a song EJ said he wrote thinking about what music he would like played at his funeral. The record also featured "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting,""Bennie and the Jets," and perhaps his signature song, "Candle in the Wind," whose lyrics were reworked 25 years later in memorandum of Diana, Princess of Wales. Another great track from the double-LP was "All The Girls Love Alice," featuring his protege, Kiki Dee on backing vocals. Take a listen to that one, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGHAfBVP3gw
In 1974 the album "Caribou" was released with the ballad "Don't Let The Sun go Down on Me," with Brian and Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys and Toni Tennille doing backing vocals. In '91, Elton John came onstage as Geroge Michael's surprise guest, which revived the song. Caribou also included "The Bitch is Back" (how they were able to use profanity back then is beyond me) and, what I think is more relevant today, the song "Ticking," basically about a student who has a high GPA, but still goes on a killing rampage and gets shot himself. I think EJ needs to perform this one more often, espcially today with all the shootings happening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WJK7yeTWo8
Later in '74 EJ became good friends with John Lennon and released a cover of the infamous "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." John Lennon himself played guitar on the song credited as Dr. Winston O'Boogie." The flipside of the record was a cover of the John Lennon song "One Day(At a Time)." John Lennon promised EJ he would appear on stage with him if the Lennon song "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" tops the charts.
And lo and behold, that came to fruition...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf6sILrY8p4
While EJ was selling out at the time and becoming popular with his customes and piano handstands, his career had really hit the ceiling. There is a popular misconception that "Someone Saved my LIfe Tonight," from the 1975 LP "Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirty Cowboy," is about EJ contemplating suicide over the future of his career; however, the truth is that back in 1968, before he and Bernie Taupin began writing, Elton was to be married to his girlfriend Linda Woodrow and wasn't sure about marriage. It was his Bluesology friend, Long John Baldry, that pursuaded EJ to ditch marriage and focus on music (thank God he did).
In 1976 EJ paid tribute to American tennis player Billie Jean King (you guessed it the team she played on was called Philadelphia Freedom). Around that time, EJ also had a hit in a duet with Kiki Dee, "Don't Go Breakin' my Heart." EJ performed in Madison Square Gardens that year as one of his final costume changing shows.
With drugs and alcholhol getting to him, the late 70s for EJ were rather quiet. In 1979 he released a disco album, "Victim of Love," which totally fell off the charts.
In the 80s, Elton John's career revived. In 1980 he released "21 At 33" (21st album at 33 years old). He also became the first artist to play in the USSR as part of their rock movement. EJ also gave a free concert at Madison Square Garden that very year, which could be heard at John Lennon's apartment.
Sadly, as we all know, Lennon was murdered in December of '80. Elton John's 1981 single "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" was an homage to his late friend. Elton John has personally said that he doesn't sing this, or "Lucy in the Sky" anymore because it really reminds him of Lennon.
After 1982's "Jump Up," 1983's "Too Low for Zero" brought about perhaps one of his other signature songs (and my personal favorite which was his first song I ever heard) I"m Still Standing." The message here is basically, "I'm back." This was also the first time Elton John collaborated with Bernie Taupin since 1977.
Throughout the 80s, EJ kept his career going. He had a string of hits such as "Nikita," "Sad Songs Say so Much," and "I Guess That's Why They Call it The Blues." In 1985 he performed at the African famine awareness shows Live Aid. Then in the late 80s, he had throat surgery, which deepened his voice (personally I think he sounds a little like a warrior now). This can be heard on his 1987 concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
In the 90s, EJ found ways to reach to newer generations. In 1994 he took upon himself to compose "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" for the Disney film "The LIon King," which became available for the first time on home video in 1995.
In 1997, Elton John was stricken by the news of Princess Diana's death. With Bernie's help, they rewrote the words to "Candle in the Wind." Released as part of a double A-side (the other song being "Something About the Way You Look Tonight), EJ performed this at Princess Diana's funeral, but has since only taken to performing it when requested by her sons. He has since reverted to the orginal version for live performances.
Elton John still continues recording and touring to this day. His 2001 record "Songs From The West Coast," generated the hits "I Want Love," and "This Train Don't Stop Here Anymore." On March 25, 2007, Elton John's 60th birthday, he (conincidentally) played his 60th concert at Madison Square Gardens (maybe that should be changed to Elton John Gardens now, huh?)
Personally, Elton John has dated both sexes but today he is a homosexual In 2010, EJ and his partner David Furnish got their first son - Zachery Jackson, Levon Furnish-John. Concidentally it was on Christmas Day 2010 (looks like "Levon" sort of gave his future away).
The star that would become Elton John was actually born Reginald Kenneth Dwight and joined this world on March 25, 1947 being born in Pinner, Middlesex (which now is a neighborhood of London). His father was almost always out of town, and so EJ was raised by his mother, grandmother, and aunt in what the Brits call a "council house." John took to the piano as early as age three when he played "The Skater's Waltz," which he taught himself. At seven, he began taking piano training formally.
When his father, Stanley Dwight was home, there would often be quarrels on the direction EJ should take. EJ quickly immersed himself in the world of rock'n'roll when his mother picked up records by the likes of Elvis, Bill Haley and His Comments, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
EJ never really took his piano training seriously, but an instructor did note in a reprt, that he played back "a piece by Handel like a gramophone." At 15 his parents divorced and John formed a band by the name of Bluesology. Bulesology played a mix of soul and RnB and supported the likes of Patti Labelle among others. Bluesology did release a record in 1965 "Baby Come Back to Me," but it did not even chart. John's name came from two of the band's members, Dean Elton, and Long John Baldry."
Things were looking down for EJ, but in 1967 he answered an advertisement by a private record company for an audition where, if he won, he would get a record deal. Another artist, writer Bernie Taupin also tired out. Although neither EJ nor Bernie won, they both got hooked up with each other and begin writing songs together. Unlike EJ who was raised in a metropolis, Taupin grew up in rural nothern England, so their ideas were different. Regardless, they began a strong partnership and finally met face to face at in the late 60s.
While Bernie Taupin came up with lyrics, EJ came up with music - in less than half an hour. He would discard any songs for which he couldn't come up with music. During this time the two of them became staff songwritters, writing for many different artists of the day. In 1969, Elton John played piano on the Hollies' song "He Ain't Heavy (He's my Brother).
EJ's first record was the 1969 LP "Empty Sky." It wasn't paid any attention to, but his song "Lady Samantha," did get some minor attention when 3 Dog Night released a cover in 1970 (Personally I think that one should have been a hit, it's quite good). Take a listen here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJSyDzft3Bo
At this time, Elton John and Bernie Taupin met face-to-face. A plan was made to make a record about semi-anually. The 1970 LP "Elton John," was also minor, but 1970's "Tumbleweed Connection" brought about his first hits with "Border Song," and "Your Song," (very clever EJ indeed).
On November 11, 1970, Elton John appeared live at a radio station in New York City, which led to him releasing the live record "11-17-70" (17-11-70 on the other side of the pond) in early '71. During this time, a definite band was established to record and tour with him, Davey Johnston (lead guitar), Roger Pope (drums, replaced by Nigel Olson in 1971 after he left Uriah Heep), and Dee Murray (bass). By this time, EJ had also hooked up with producer Gus Didgen, and string arranger Paul Buckmaster.
In '71 came the record "Madman Accross the Water," consisting songs such as "Levon," and "Tiny Dancer." 1972's "Honkey Chateau" (cut the Chateau d'Oreville in France due to tax problems in the UK), featured two singles - "Rocket Man (I Think It's Gonna be a Long, Long Time - his best from this era and rather creepy personally), and "Honkey Cat." Later in '72, EJ came out with "Don't Shoot me I"m Only the PIano Player," which earned him another ballad "Daniel," as well, perhaps one of his signature songs "Crocodile Rock," with its fafisa organ throughout.
Before reading on, have a listen to "Levon," from "Madman Across The Water."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhBsYZ5QOJo
The year 1973 had two records. The first Elton John record of 1973 was the infamous double album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Opening with what I think puts EJ in the waters of progressive rock, "Funeral for a Friend/Love LIes Bleeding," - a song EJ said he wrote thinking about what music he would like played at his funeral. The record also featured "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting,""Bennie and the Jets," and perhaps his signature song, "Candle in the Wind," whose lyrics were reworked 25 years later in memorandum of Diana, Princess of Wales. Another great track from the double-LP was "All The Girls Love Alice," featuring his protege, Kiki Dee on backing vocals. Take a listen to that one, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGHAfBVP3gw
In 1974 the album "Caribou" was released with the ballad "Don't Let The Sun go Down on Me," with Brian and Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys and Toni Tennille doing backing vocals. In '91, Elton John came onstage as Geroge Michael's surprise guest, which revived the song. Caribou also included "The Bitch is Back" (how they were able to use profanity back then is beyond me) and, what I think is more relevant today, the song "Ticking," basically about a student who has a high GPA, but still goes on a killing rampage and gets shot himself. I think EJ needs to perform this one more often, espcially today with all the shootings happening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WJK7yeTWo8
Later in '74 EJ became good friends with John Lennon and released a cover of the infamous "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." John Lennon himself played guitar on the song credited as Dr. Winston O'Boogie." The flipside of the record was a cover of the John Lennon song "One Day(At a Time)." John Lennon promised EJ he would appear on stage with him if the Lennon song "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" tops the charts.
And lo and behold, that came to fruition...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf6sILrY8p4
While EJ was selling out at the time and becoming popular with his customes and piano handstands, his career had really hit the ceiling. There is a popular misconception that "Someone Saved my LIfe Tonight," from the 1975 LP "Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirty Cowboy," is about EJ contemplating suicide over the future of his career; however, the truth is that back in 1968, before he and Bernie Taupin began writing, Elton was to be married to his girlfriend Linda Woodrow and wasn't sure about marriage. It was his Bluesology friend, Long John Baldry, that pursuaded EJ to ditch marriage and focus on music (thank God he did).
In 1976 EJ paid tribute to American tennis player Billie Jean King (you guessed it the team she played on was called Philadelphia Freedom). Around that time, EJ also had a hit in a duet with Kiki Dee, "Don't Go Breakin' my Heart." EJ performed in Madison Square Gardens that year as one of his final costume changing shows.
With drugs and alcholhol getting to him, the late 70s for EJ were rather quiet. In 1979 he released a disco album, "Victim of Love," which totally fell off the charts.
In the 80s, Elton John's career revived. In 1980 he released "21 At 33" (21st album at 33 years old). He also became the first artist to play in the USSR as part of their rock movement. EJ also gave a free concert at Madison Square Garden that very year, which could be heard at John Lennon's apartment.
Sadly, as we all know, Lennon was murdered in December of '80. Elton John's 1981 single "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" was an homage to his late friend. Elton John has personally said that he doesn't sing this, or "Lucy in the Sky" anymore because it really reminds him of Lennon.
After 1982's "Jump Up," 1983's "Too Low for Zero" brought about perhaps one of his other signature songs (and my personal favorite which was his first song I ever heard) I"m Still Standing." The message here is basically, "I'm back." This was also the first time Elton John collaborated with Bernie Taupin since 1977.
Throughout the 80s, EJ kept his career going. He had a string of hits such as "Nikita," "Sad Songs Say so Much," and "I Guess That's Why They Call it The Blues." In 1985 he performed at the African famine awareness shows Live Aid. Then in the late 80s, he had throat surgery, which deepened his voice (personally I think he sounds a little like a warrior now). This can be heard on his 1987 concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
In the 90s, EJ found ways to reach to newer generations. In 1994 he took upon himself to compose "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" for the Disney film "The LIon King," which became available for the first time on home video in 1995.
In 1997, Elton John was stricken by the news of Princess Diana's death. With Bernie's help, they rewrote the words to "Candle in the Wind." Released as part of a double A-side (the other song being "Something About the Way You Look Tonight), EJ performed this at Princess Diana's funeral, but has since only taken to performing it when requested by her sons. He has since reverted to the orginal version for live performances.
Elton John still continues recording and touring to this day. His 2001 record "Songs From The West Coast," generated the hits "I Want Love," and "This Train Don't Stop Here Anymore." On March 25, 2007, Elton John's 60th birthday, he (conincidentally) played his 60th concert at Madison Square Gardens (maybe that should be changed to Elton John Gardens now, huh?)
Personally, Elton John has dated both sexes but today he is a homosexual In 2010, EJ and his partner David Furnish got their first son - Zachery Jackson, Levon Furnish-John. Concidentally it was on Christmas Day 2010 (looks like "Levon" sort of gave his future away).
Comments
Post a Comment