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.
Gay singer Ricky Martin has opened up about the torment he went through about coming out as gay – and how it’s made him happy.
The ‘King of Latin Pop’ said Elton John inspired him. However, like many LGBT+ people coming out, he struggled to understand his own sexuality.
Things came to a head while Martin was on tour in 1999 for his world-famous Livin’ La Vida Loca hit. Indeed, he told Proud Radio on Apple Music, that he had to take some time off: ‘My music was being heard all over the world, regardless of the language.
I could high five God, but I wasn’t living to the fullest. I was sad, I was depressed.’ He added: ‘I would walk on stage to perform because that was the only way I could balance my emotion is to snap out of this heavy sadness