Part 1 was about Robert Johnson.
Part 2 was about Quincy Jones.
After the Beatles broke up, and before Michael Jackson rose to super-stardom, there was a period in the early to mid-1970's that was dominated by one of the great singer-songwriters of the 20th century, Sir Elton John.
(hat tip to The Independent for the pic)
Although considered part of the "glam rock" movement started by David Bowie and extending through to such artists as Freddie Mercury and Queen, Elton was a superstar above those others during his prime, and outlasted the glam rock movement by making some of the best and most popular music of his era.
Most of Elton's songs came from his collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin. Taupin would write the lyrics, and Elton would write the music.
Most of Elton's songs came from his collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin. Taupin would write the lyrics, and Elton would write the music.
Elton's first song to chart was the spiritual-influenced Border Song, but it only reached number 92 on the U.S. charts.
It was Elton's second song from his second album ("Elton John") that finally propelled him to popularity: Your Song, which reached number 8 in the U.S. in 1970.
Through 1976, Elton had 6 number 1 hits, as well as 8 hits in the single digits (2-8). If his career ended there, he would still have a huge place in music history.
Elton went through many ups and downs during his career, but he never stopped producing hits, including Mama Can't Buy You Love (1979), Little Jeannie (1980), I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues (1983), Sad Songs (Say So Much) (1984), Nikita (1985), I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That (1988), The One (1992), and Can You Feel the Love Tonight (1994).
But one of Elton's most unique feats was to chart with the same song twice, having done it two times.
The first time Elton did this was with his 1974 hit Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, which he re-did with singer George Michael in 1991.
The second time Elton accomplished this feat was with his 1974 hit Candle in the Wind. Originally written as a tribute to the late Marilyn Monroe, he updated the song's lyrics for the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997.
Aside from the music, which will make an awesome soundtrack, Elton's life is also the story of a homosexual man in an era when that was discouraged. But he eventually showed the courage to stand up and admit his sexuality in defiance of the norms of the period.
There was also Elton's battle with drugs, which culminated with an overdose in 1975, at the peak of his career.
There is a lot in Elton John's story upon which to build a movie. Take your narrative pick.
P.S. I cannot mention Elton John without my favorite song of his, 1975's Philadelphia Freedom, performed with a live orchestra:
Aside from the music, which will make an awesome soundtrack, Elton's life is also the story of a homosexual man in an era when that was discouraged. But he eventually showed the courage to stand up and admit his sexuality in defiance of the norms of the period.
There was also Elton's battle with drugs, which culminated with an overdose in 1975, at the peak of his career.
There is a lot in Elton John's story upon which to build a movie. Take your narrative pick.
P.S. I cannot mention Elton John without my favorite song of his, 1975's Philadelphia Freedom, performed with a live orchestra:
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