This term’s Musician is Sir Elton John. With over 300 million records sold, Elton John is one of the best-selling music artists in the world. Elton John is an English singer, pianist and composer who is famously nicknamed ‘The Rocket Man’ after his 1972 hit single.

Elton John’s Music:

Elton John’s music stands out from many other artists of the time because he was a classically trained pianist who loved rock’n’roll. His piano parts are very difficult to play. Often they run counter to the vocal melodies, which go over the top, to allow for Elton’s famous flourishes, and this means that his melodies are very rarely doubled in the piano part.

Billy Elliot-

The musical “Billy Elliot” opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Elton John composed the music for this show. It won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2008 and continues to run on Broadway

The Lion King-

Elton John wrote the score to this famous Disney film which is now also one of London’s most famous musicals. The film was remade in 2019 with a brand-new song from Elton.

Elton John’s Famous Songs:

Your Song- 1970 (he wrote this song at 17)

Crocodile Rock- 1972

Rocket Man- 1972 (Not long after man landed on the moon, the song captured the excitement of the time)

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me- 1974 (Was a major hit twice as he sang a live duet with George Michael which also topped the charts in 1991)

I’m Still Standing- 1983 (A song about resilience about surviving a tough private life and surviving a changing music scene)

The Circle of Life- 1994 (Elton’s soundtrack to The Lion King became the bestselling film score of all time)

Football Fact!

Having supported Watford since growing up locally, Elton John became the club’s chairman and director in 1976.

Listen to some of Elton John’s music!