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.
The Lion King musical has a legacy that precedes itself. There is no surprise that Disney’s commitment to this visual feast was above and beyond, but that never takes away from the actual experience.
Even with its quarter-century life on Broadway and two decades of touring, the show’s popularity has not waned. The proof shows how difficult it is to get tickets because shows have been selling out.
But it’s worth the effort to try to see the lush production live. For a musical production, the irony in The Lion King is that you go for the spectacle of it all.
The animal costumes and puppetry and set designs are all stunning and engrossing. When one of Elton John’s and Tim Rice’s songs come on, they are almost secondary to the visuals – or rather, they punctuate the visuals rather than being showstopping numbers.