Elton John Chronology
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight - March 25, 1947
1950: began playing family piano
1958: won a Junior scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music attended every Saturday encouraged by his grandmother.
1961: Parents divorced
1962: took weekend job at Northwood Hills Hotel billed as Reggie where he played piano and sang popular songs of the day as well as some of his own compositions - formed band Bluesology - Did errands for music publishing company
1965: Band Bluesology played backup group for an American band touring UK
1966: Band played as supporting act for Long John Baldrey
1967: Answered an ad in new musical express by liberty records – Met Bernie Taupin a lyricist and lifelong partnership began.
1968: Began using Elton John & producing music with Bernie Taupin they joined DJM Records as songwriters - Releases first single “I’ve been loving you.” and others
1969: Releases first album
1970: Releases 2nd album reaches number 5 in UK and number 4 in USA many more. Meets John Reid who becomes his manager for 28 years. They start a torrential relationship which lasted 5 years.
1972: Legally changes name & Begins tour of USA
1975: Overdoses on cocaine and develops bulimia - Gets a star on Hollywood walk of Fame
1976: Announces he is bisexual
1979: Was first western to appear in USSR
1984: Married Renate Blauel a sound engineer in Sydney
1988: Divorced
1992: He and Bernie Taupin inducted into songwriter’s hall of fame
1993: Began relationship with David Furnish
1998: Knighted by Queen Elizabeth
2005: Married in Civil ceremony in UK to David Furnish
2011: First son by surrogate Zachery
2013: 2nd son Elizah by same surrogate mother
2014: Married in USA 2nd time to David Furnish
