Elton John turns 78: music, excesses and living to tell it

Elton Johnundoubtedly one of the greatest musicians in the history of rock, owns a life marked by success, excesses and claims. The dear musician, today affected by some health problems, celebrates this Tuesday, March 25, 78 years.

Since his first great success in 1970 with “Your Song”the musical charts were invaded by the contributions of this formidable balladist. Creations like “Tiny Dancer”, “Good Bye Yellow Brick Road”, “Crocodile Rock”, “Candle in the Wind”, “Don´t Go On Breaking My Heart”, “Don´t Let The Sun Goes Down On Me”, “Saturday Night´s Alright for Fighting” and “i’m Still Standing”in addition to those mentioned above, there are just some examples of it.

But it is also incredible to his family image, his commitment to noble causes and recognitions taking into account what his life was in the 70s, when he was dominated by excesses.

Elton John’s life and music

Born in the British town of Pinner, in 1947 under the name of Reginald Kenneth DwightElton John had a childhood marked by his early musical talent that earned him a scholarship to study at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music. A place that led him to placate his excessive shyness and forget (in a certain way) of the heartbreak of his parents.

After integrating several bands, including the veteran blouse Long John Baldrywhere, in tribute to him and his saxophonist Elton Deanadopted the artistic name with which it is known; formed an indestructible compositional duo with the lyricist Bernie Taupin that accompanied him throughout his career.

Throughout the 1970s, success came with songs with which he showed that, with the focus always on the melodic aspect, he was able to move with ease between ballads, glam and hard rock.

This ascent was accompanied by increasingly explosive live presentationswhere the once shy young man began to show histrionism that found his visual echo in the extravagant costumes he used, always crowned with striking glasses.

But the image of Elton John also fed in those years of legends, then confirmed by himself, about a wide lifestyle, with a excessive consumption of drugs and alcohol, and a voracity for sex.

Also in those years he promoted some friends that fed his musical fame and the legends that surrounded him, such as the case of Rod Stewart and John Lennonwith whom he collaborated on the subject “Whatver get you thru the night”and who anointed him as a godfather of Sean, the only son that the exbeatle had with Yoko Ono.

In the ’80s, Elton John began to travel through more conventional land, with ballads suitable for the radial consumption of the time, always maintaining musicality but without major artistic risks. Of that decade they date successes like “Nikita”, “Sacrifice”, “I’m Still Standing”, “Sad Songs” and “The Club at The End of the Street”among others.

At the beginning of the 1990s, he decided to end his crazy lifestyle and successfully started a rehabilitation that returned the sobriety But he did not free him from the extravagances and behaviors of a divo.

Since then, Elton John continues to reap success; formed a family with David Furnisha relationship that has been for more than 20 years and with whom he has two children; He heads beneficial crusades and does not hesitate to associate with young artists. In recent years he told his life through his biopic Rocketman And he retired from the stage, but not from music.

Rocketman, Elton John’s life on the big screen

Drama and musical in equal parts, to portray, without censorship, the life of singer Elton John. The film directed by Dexter Fletcher It was acclaimed by critics and the public since its premiere in 2019.

The film addresses the entire vital tour of the British. It is the rise and fall of a music prodigy, accompanied, of course, of that ability to rebirth that great artists possess. “My life cannot be sweetened, and I didn’t want it to be” The artist himself declared during the promotion of the film.

Elton John and Taron Egerton

One of the keys to the success of the film is the vibrant interpretation of its protagonist, Taron Egerton. The British also presumed from the beginning of a great connection with the singer. Egerton achieved with this role becoming the winner of a Golden Globe, as well as adding numerous nominations in different awards deliveries.

The actor summed up his work in the film with three adjectives: “Demanding, fun and great”. Without a doubt, a great challenge in which he also had to put in front of the microphones. “He had a little fear of singing, but the dominant emotion was of enthusiasm,” the interpreter confessed to various media during the promotional campaign. Next to him, a luxury cast: Richard Maddenas the traitorous manager and lover of the protagonist, and Bryce Dallas Howardthat plays the artist’s mother.