101 Facts About Elton John

1. Elton John was recently crowned by Billboard as the most successful performing male solo artist of all time.

2. Sir Elton John said, "I always love coming back to Australia.

3. Sir Elton John, recently crowned by Billboard as the most successful performing male solo artist of all time, today reveals details of the epic 15-date Australian and 3-date New Zealand leg of his global Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.

4. Elton John announced his intention to vote Remain during the UK's 2016 EU referendum on Instagram, sharing an image with the words "build bridges not walls" along with the caption: "I'm voting to remain.

5. Elton John composed and arranged a lyric, "Two Fingers of Whiskey", written by Bernie Taupin, specially for the film, live on camera with the help of Jack White and T Bone Burnett.

6. Elton John married his close friend and sound engineer, Renate Blauel, on Valentine's Day 1984—the marriage lasted three years.

7. Elton John formed his own label named The Rocket Record Company and signed acts to it—notably Neil Sedaka (John sang background vocals on Sedaka's "Bad Blood") and Kiki Dee, in whom he took a personal interest.

8. Elton John announced his intention to vote Remain during the UK's 2016 EU referendum on Instagram, sharing an image with the words "build bridges not walls" along with the caption: "I'm voting to remain.

9. Elton John composed and arranged a lyric, "Two Fingers of Whiskey", written by Bernie Taupin, specially for the film, live on camera with the help of Jack White and T Bone Burnett.

10. Elton John married his close friend and sound engineer, Renate Blauel, on Valentine's Day 1984—the marriage lasted three years.

11. Elton John formed his own label named The Rocket Record Company and signed acts to it—notably Neil Sedaka (John sang background vocals on Sedaka's "Bad Blood") and Kiki Dee, in whom he took a personal interest.

12. Elton John announced his intention to vote Remain during the UK's 2016 EU referendum on Instagram, sharing an image with the words "build bridges not walls" along with the caption: "I'm voting to remain.

13. In June 2001 Elton John sold 20 of his cars at Christie's, saying he did not get the chance to drive them because he was out of the country so often.

14. Elton John composed and arranged a lyric, "Two Fingers of Whiskey", written by Bernie Taupin, specially for the film, live on camera with the help of Jack White and T Bone Burnett.

15. Elton John married his close friend and sound engineer, Renate Blauel, on Valentine's Day 1984—the marriage lasted three years.

16. Elton John formed his own label named The Rocket Record Company and signed acts to it—notably Neil Sedaka (John sang background vocals on Sedaka's "Bad Blood") and Kiki Dee, in whom he took a personal interest.

17. Elton John had only performed the first two songs of his Tuesday night "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" retirement tour concert in San Diego when he turned to the audience and apologized.

18. Elton John announced his intention to vote Remain during the UK's 2016 EU referendum on Instagram, sharing an image with the words "build bridges not walls" along with the caption: "I'm voting to remain.

19. Elton John composed and arranged a lyric, "Two Fingers of Whiskey", written by Bernie Taupin, specially for the film, live on camera with the help of Jack White and T Bone Burnett.

20. Elton John married his close friend and sound engineer, Renate Blauel, on Valentine's Day 1984—the marriage lasted three years.

21. Elton John formed his own label named The Rocket Record Company and signed acts to it—notably Neil Sedaka (John sang background vocals on Sedaka's "Bad Blood") and Kiki Dee, in whom he took a personal interest.

22. Elton John returned in a blue kimono playing "Your Song", solo before the band came up and joined in.

23. Elton John told the story of how he and Bernie Taupin were young songwriters at the time and they would have been happy being covered by anyone "even the Chipmunks.

24. Elton John had only performed the first two songs of his Tuesday night "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" retirement tour concert in San Diego when he turned to the audience and apologized.

25. Elton John announced his intention to vote Remain during the UK's 2016 EU referendum on Instagram, sharing an image with the words "build bridges not walls" along with the caption: "I'm voting to remain.

26. Elton John composed and arranged a lyric, "Two Fingers of Whiskey", written by Bernie Taupin, specially for the film, live on camera with the help of Jack White and T Bone Burnett.

27. Elton John married his close friend and sound engineer, Renate Blauel, on Valentine's Day 1984—the marriage lasted three years.

28. Elton John formed his own label named The Rocket Record Company and signed acts to it—notably Neil Sedaka (John sang background vocals on Sedaka's "Bad Blood") and Kiki Dee, in whom he took a personal interest.

29. Sir Elton John toured the Soviet Union in 1979, the first western pop star to do so.

30. Elton John has had some of the most celebrated spats in the music industry.

31. Elton John began playing at the age of 3 years old, and could play Winifred Atwell's The Skater Waltz by the age of 4.

32. In 1985, Elton John befriended a 13 year old boy named Ryan White, who was a hemophiliac who contracted the HIV disease.

33. In 2016, Sir Elton John secured the court-ordered injunction that barred British media from mentioning his or his partner's name.

34. Elton John has a net worth of $480 million, making him the second richest singer in UK, behind Paul McCartney.

35. Elton John started wearing glasses to copy one of his idols, Buddy Holly.

36. Elton John has a few famous godchildren, including Sean Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

37. In 1974, during one of Elton John's concerts at Madison Square Garden, John Lennon joined him on stage to perform three songs.

38. Sir Elton John wrote about his friendship with Freddie in a moving, deeply personal letter.

39. Elton John was extremely close with the late rock singer Freddie Mercury.

40. In 1979, Elton John was the first Western rock star to perform in the USSR.

41. Elton John is the third most successful artist in the history of the American charts, behind only Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

42. Elton John got his first break as a singer with his 1969 album Empty Sky, featuring songs by John and Taupin.

43. Elton John returned in a blue kimono playing "Your Song", solo before the band came up and joined in.

44. Elton John told the story of how he and Bernie Taupin were young songwriters at the time and they would have been happy being covered by anyone "even the Chipmunks.

45. Elton John embarked on his massive three year 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' Tour on Sept 8 of 2018.

46. Elton John has received five Brit Awards, including the award for Best British Male in 1991, and awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1986 and 1995.

47. Elton John became a recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor in 2004, and a Disney Legends Award in 2006.

48. Elton John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1994.

49. Elton John announced his intention to vote Remain during the UK's 2016 EU referendum on Instagram, sharing an image with the words "build bridges not walls" along with the caption: "I'm voting to remain.

50. Elton John described the occasion as "one of the greatest days of my life".

51. Elton John was quoted as saying: "There is a world of difference between calling someone your 'partner' and calling them your 'husband'.

52. Elton John used Paul Buckmaster to arrange the music on his studio albums during the 1970s.

53. Elton John is a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.

54. Elton John composed and arranged a lyric, "Two Fingers of Whiskey", written by Bernie Taupin, specially for the film, live on camera with the help of Jack White and T Bone Burnett.

55. Elton John had a major role, playing himself, in the action sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle, which was released in September 2017.

56. Elton John performed his 3000th concert on 8 October 2011 at Caesars.

57. Elton John said, "I was kind of surprised that Alice in Chains would ask me to do anything.

58. Elton John placed other hits throughout the 1980s, including "Nikita", whose music video was directed by Ken Russell.

59. Elton John married his close friend and sound engineer, Renate Blauel, on Valentine's Day 1984—the marriage lasted three years.

60. Elton John reported that Thom Bell was the first person to give him voice lessons; Bell encouraged John to sing in a lower register.

61. In 1974, Elton John collaborated with Elton John Lennon on his cover of the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", the B-side of which was Lennon's "One Day at a Time.

62. Elton John formed his own label named The Rocket Record Company and signed acts to it—notably Neil Sedaka (John sang background vocals on Sedaka's "Bad Blood") and Kiki Dee, in whom he took a personal interest.

63. Elton John showed musical aptitude at school, including the ability to compose melodies, and gained some notoriety by playing like Jerry Lee Lewis at school functions.

64. Elton John was knighted by Elizabeth II for "services to music and charitable services" in 1998.

65. Elton John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, is an inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.

66. Elton John has composed music, produced records, and has occasionally acted in films.

67. Elton John has worked with lyricist Bernie Taupin as his songwriting partner since 1967; they have collaborated on more than 30 albums.

68. Elton John met Billie Jean King in 1973 and, according to reporters for CNN, they have since built a "powerful partnership in philanthropy, raising hundreds of millions of dollars.

69. Elton John is showing me the living room of his London home.

70. Elton John has made 32 albums and still plays 107 gigs a year.

71. In 1995, Elton John had nominated as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

72. In 1967, Elton John replied an ad for a lyricist for Liberty Records.

73. Elton John is one of the music ideals of the 20th century.

74. In 1967, Elton John answered an advertisement for a talent search.

75. Elton John was named a  Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1996.

76. In 2010, Elton John told BBC Radio that he owned 250,000 pairs of glasses.

77. Elton John wrote the music for the Disney movie, "The Lion King", which became a Broadway musical in 1997 and is still going strong.

78. Elton John is known as a recipient of five Brit Awards and five Grammy Awards.

79. Elton John had learned to play piano since he was a child.

80. Elton John has the record sales of 300 million during his fifty years of career.

81. On this day in 1989, Elton John scored his 50th UK chart hit when 'Sacrifice', entered the charts.

82. Elton John donated all of the profits to the charity established in Diana's name.

83. Elton John performed a new version of "Candle in the Wind" at her funeral.

84. Elton John became famous for his oversize glasses and outrageous outfits.

85. In 1968 Elton John met Bernie Taupin, who became his long-term song-writing partner.

86. Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in the town of Pinner in Middlesex, England.

87. At this point, Elton John turned to a style of writing that blended rock and gospel into ballads with spectacular arrangements.

88. Elton John reflected on this honor in an Associated Press report published in the Toledo Blade, remarking that "I've had a long career and worked hard.

89. Elton John donated all of the proceeds from the recording to the charitable trust established in Diana's name.

90. Elton John courted her while working on his album and, after a five-day engagement, married her in Australia on Valentine's Day in 1984.

91. In 1976, Elton John decided to retire from the music business and focus his energies on running a soccer team he had purchased, the Watford Football Club.

92. In 1969, Elton John released his debut album, Empty Sky, which was a commercial flop.

93. Elton John embarked on a musical career in the early 1960s.

94. Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in the town of Pinner in the Middlesex region of England.

95. Elton John won a Tony Award in 2000 for the musical Aida, written in collaboration with Tim Rice.

96. Elton John worked with lyricist Gary Osborne for his 1978 release A Single Man, and in 1977 he realized his dream of recording with legendary Philadelphia soul producer Thom Bell.

97. Elton John continued his pop reign with the 1973 release Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player, whose "Crocodile Rock" earned the singer his first numberone American hit.

98. Elton John reached the top ten with Madman Across the Water.

99. At a crucial juncture in his career, Elton John answered an ad for songwriters run by Liberty Records.

100. Elton John worked with lyricist Gary Osborne for his 1978 release A Single Man, but the album featured no Top 20 singles.

101. Elton John made a name for himself in Hollywood and on Broadway too.