ELTON JOHN

Candle in the Wind

Sir Elton Hercules John

was born in Pinner, Middlesex, England

March 25, 1947

as Reginald Kenneth Dwight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdSh1I6ykpI

o Elton John began playing the piano in 1951 at the age of 4

o Who could’ve guessed that his learning to play the piano would play such a major role in the shaping of LGBT society

Elton John announced that he was bisexual in 1976. This was not widely accepted in that era. He had not even come

to terms with his own sexuality at this point.

During the 70’s and 80’s Elton John suffered from drug addiction, alcoholism and bulimia.

These can be attributed to the physical manifestation of deep rooted psychological issues.

The stress of hiding or altering who you really are can lead to issues such as these.

February 14, 1984 Elton John married a woman named Renate Blauel.

ELTON JOHN AND RENATE BLAUEL DIVORCED IN 1988 AFTER 4 YEARS.

ELTON ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS IN FACT GAY, NOT JUST BISEXUAL.

Elton faced criticism for marrying a woman.

Many questioned his true sexuality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S3vpVDqQgQ&p=E731E91C7E52C54C&playnext=1&index=4

Elton John was good friends with Freddie Mercury from Queen. When Mercury died from AIDS in 1991, Elton John decided to use his celebrity status to help others in the LGBT community.

Established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992

Today the Elton John AIDS Foundation is one of the worlds leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations.

They support HIV prevention programs. They work at eliminating the

discrimination and stigma’s attached to HIV/AIDS.

They offer support services to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Elton John serves as the Chief Fundraiser for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Circa 1973

Elton John’s outrageous style has made him an icon in LGBT society.

Elton John is a pop musician who has remained true to his character and his music.

He has survived many of the music fads throughout history.

These simple actions have helped other LGBT musicians to enter the mainstream music industry.

Glasses are his signature look. Whether outrageous or practical.

Flamboyant costumes can be attributed to being an entertainer.

Some people will always choose not to listen to or purchase an artists music because of his or her sexual orientation.

1974

In the 1994, Elton John composed music for Disney’s The Lion King as well as lending his voice for the film.

The movie also became a Broadway Musical composed by Elton John in 1998.

This is one example of being accepted in the mainstream media.

In 1997 Elton John wrote the song Candle in the Wind in honor of the late Princess Diana.

This single became the number 1 selling single of all time.

Over 33 million copies sold.

This raised 30 million dollars for the Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Fund and is used to continue the Princess’ humanitarian work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIJIBo9bJk0

His efforts in this fundraising earned Elton John Knighthood on February 24, 1998 from Queen Elizabeth II

This photo depicts Princess Diana comforting Elton John at Gianni Versace’s funeral in 1997, before she passed also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REa2EWd9Bzg&NR=1&feature=fvwp

In March of 2005 Elton John assisted in creating the Billy Elliot the Musical. Which is based on a true story from the 1980’s in County Durham in northern England.

This was originally a movie and tells the tale of a young boy who desires to perform ballet instead of what is expected of young boys in his era and location. Most were expected to become miners.

Elton John wanted to share this tale of acceptance with the world and feels deeply about the topic. He struggled because his father didn’t accept the Rock-n-Roll path that he chose.

In the link below Elton John shares some of his feelings about the reasons for his interest in the Billy Elliot project.

Elton John is an advocate for self expression.

December 25, 2005Elton John and David Furnish enter a Civil Partnership

Elton John continues to work on HIV/AIDS awareness.

He is also working on projects such as Billy Elliot that promote acceptance of all people no matter why they are viewed as different in society.

Information was gathered from:www.eltonjohn.com

http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/elton-john.html

Music and video links are from:

www.youtube.com