Elton Hercules John; birth name Reginald Kenneth Dwight is a British singer, composer and pianist. He had a significant influence on the development of light rock.
One of the most commercially successful performers of the 1970s and one of the UK's most successful rock acts. Over the course of his career, he has sold more albums in the US and UK than any other British solo artist. He has worked with songwriter Bernie Taupin since 1967; they collaborated on over 30 albums.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for "services to music and charity" in 1998.
Over the course of his 50-year career, Elton John sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the most selling music artists. He has over fifty top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100. including nine UK number one and nine US number one, plus seven consecutive US number one albums and more seven of his albums took first place on the Billboard 200, many singles were in the American Top 40, were in the top 10 and a lot of times reached first place. More than 50 of Elton John's singles were in the British Top 40.
His single "Candle in the Wind 1997" (a new version of 1973's "Candle in the Wind"), rewritten in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales, has sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single in UK and US charts history.
He also produced records and occasionally appeared in films.