Living the Dream

The legacy Elton John created in the music industry will be remembered throughout history. He is an inspiration to many rising artists. Even when Elton John’s childhood led him to be self-conscience of his image, it was an asset that paved his way to stardom leading to the dream nearly every American has within their mind.

In the town of Middlesex, England on March 25, 1947 was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, known as Elton John (Rooney). Despite everyone and their flamboyant views on his image, he was actually slightly overweight and wore glasses as a child (Rooney). His parents had high expectations of him becoming a banker; although he couldn’t live up to those wishes (“Elton John”). His only escape from life and the pressures it gave him was his passion for music (“Elton John”). His talent for music began at the age of four where he learned to play the piano and led to him earning a spot in the Royal Academy of Music at the age of eleven (“Elton John”) Deciding to follow his passion for music, he pursued his dream to become a professional musician (Rooney; “Elton John).

John started out as a messenger and a tea server for the music publishing house that he worked for (Rooney). He also held side jobs such as being a pianist for random bars and clubs to help support himself (Rooney). During this time, he had joined several bands, yet his first and most notable band was Bluesology (Rooney; “Elton John”). Bluesology was the band that John had been at the time when he decided to use Elton John as his stage name, rather than Reginald, by combining “the middle name of Bluesology’s singer, Long John Baldry, and the first name of a saxophone player, Elton Dean (Rooney).” Thus began the legend of Elton John and his music career.

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...addiction, or his coming to terms with his own sexuality, or even his father’s disapproval of him becoming a musician. Yet he still overcame them to become one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.

Works Cited

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"Elton John." Elton John (2003). Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. Web. 2 Mar. 2010.

Hochman, Steve. Elton John. Popular Musicians. Pasadena, Calif.: Salem, 1999. Print.

Rooney, Terrie M. "Elton John." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 182nd Detroit. Student Resource Center - Gold. Web. 3 Mar. 2010.

Tunzi, Kristina. "Universal Music Enterprises Celebrates the 6 Million Copies Sold Worldwide of Elton John's Album "Elton John--Greatest Hits 1970-2002” Billboard 29 Aug. 2009: 66. Student Resource Center - Gold. Web. 2 Mar. 2010.