ARTISTS INFLUENCED BY BUDDY HOLLY
Elton John
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Middlesex, England, Elton John began playing piano at the age of four and won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at eleven. Best known for his collaborations with songwriter Bernie Taupin, Elton John released various legendary hits such as "Your Song", "Rocket Man", "Bennie and the Jets", "Island Girl", "Someone Saved my Life Tonight" and "Don’t Go Breaking My Heart".
His flamboyant stage performances, however, attributed to his success. His wardrobe included ostrich feathers, various extravagant glasses, colorful costumes and wild make-up. His appearance added to the brilliant music he was performing and created attention on a universal level. In 1980, Elton released hits such as "I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues", "I’m Still Standing", and "Candle in the Wind" which he recorded as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. In 1997, he updated the lyrics for a special version mourning the death of his close friend Princess Diana of Wales. The updated version became the fastest selling single of all time, overtaking Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”. Elton John was knighted in 1998 by Queen Elizabeth II, officially adding "Sir" to his name. Sir Elton John is also a humanitarian and founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992 as a charity to fund programs for HIV/AIDS prevention, for the elimination of prejudice and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-affected individuals, and for providing services to people living with or at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. For more information on Elton John, visit his Official Website at www.eltonjohn.com
Quotes
Elton John Donates Glasses to the Buddy Holly Center "I only needed specs for reading, but as a result of wearing them all the time to try to look like Buddy Holly, I became genuinely nearsighted."
In the 1970s he became a successful pop artist, with a flashy stage performance who started wearing glasses to copy one of his idols, the late Buddy Holly.
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