Born on 25 March: Elton John, extravagant dandy and genius composer

Born in Middlesex, England in 1947, Reginald Kenneth Dwight (his real name) belongs to the 'baby boom' generation just after the Second World War.

Writing a biography of Elton John, even a brief one, in a few dozen lines is akin to attempting to conquer Everest in plimsolls, without crampons or ice axe. However impossible it may be, let's nevertheless attempt to sketch a portrait of this turbulent icon of global pop.

His sales figures (more than 300 million albums) and his string of worldwide hits are dizzying. For instance, initially written in 1973, he performed his song "Candle In The Wind" at the funeral of his friend Lady Diana in 1997. Subsequently, it became the best-selling single in history with 33 million copies sold and over 200 million streams on Spotify alone. An entire chapter could be dedicated to Sir Elton in the Guinness Book of Records!

Let's rather focus on some of his lesser-known activities. Always ready for a bit of fun, the singer rarely needs to be coaxed into entertaining in front of the cameras. He made an appearance on the big screen version of 'Tommy' (1975), the extravagant rock opera by The Who. He went to greet his friends, the Spice Girls, at the height of their fame in 'Spice World' (1997) and couldn't resist the cheeky smile of Calista Flockhart who invited him to join her in an episode of 'Ally McBeal'. In 2019, he also dipped into his wallet to co-produce 'Rocketman', a biopic in which Taron Egerton portrays him.

In the artist's prolific discography, there are naturally not just masterpieces. But everyone will easily find something to enjoy. As far as we are concerned, the most ambitious albums of the 70s such as 'Honky Château' (1972) and of course 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' (1973) hold a special place in our personal pantheon. Just like the ambitious double album 'Blue Moves' (1976), a true melodic and often symphonic UFO released when punk music started to flood Albion.

After more than 4000 concerts to his credit and after long celebrating the 40th anniversary of 'Yellow Brick Road', Elton has decided to take a well-deserved retirement. Except for some charitable performances and without abandoning his fight against the spread of HIV, of course.

In December 2024, at the London premiere of the musical 'The Devil Wears Prada', Elton John announced that he had become blind due to an eye infection. A distressing news that he seems to take, publicly at least, with his usual composure...

(MH with Stéphane Soupart - Photo: © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Elton John (and his fruit salad) on stage at Forest-National in Brussels (Belgium) on May 9, 1982