Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums, John has sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including seven number ones in the UK and nine in the US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts. He has also produced records and occasionally acted in films. John owned Watford F.C. from 1976 to 1987 and from 1997 to 2002. He is an honorary life president of the club.
Cyndi Lauper’s 1987 single ‘Boy Blue’ is a heartbreaking ode to a young friend lost to AIDS
True Colors.The song proved to be minor hit for Lauper, charting at #71 on the Hot 100, with proceeds going to various AIDS organizations, which were still severely underfunded at the time.Lauper explained that she wrote “Boy Blue” for her close friend, Gregory Natal, who had recently died of AIDS.
The song’s title came from a poem by 19th century American poet Eugene Field called “Little Boy Blue.”“I tried to write about my friend.
I knew he really loved ‘That’s What Friends Are For.’ I know that maybe he would have liked me to do a song like that,” Lauper later recalled, referring to the Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder collab released in 1985 a charity single for AIDS research and prevention.With a little easy listening and a lot of heart, this quartet raised millions for AIDS Research.Lauper continued, “Instead, I wrote about him personally.
I don’t know that my lyrics were good enough. I don’t know that anything was good enough. Maybe it was too personal. I don’t know.
