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.
Tammy Faye musical with music and lyrics by Sir Elton John and Scissor Sisters star Jake Shears heading to London stage
metro.co.ukLondon, with music by Sir Elton John, less than a year after the Oscar-winning film about the televangelist was released.Tammy Faye A New Musical will premiere at the Almeida Theatre in October for a limited run until December 3.Musical legend Sir Elton, who has previously seen great success on stage through his composing for The Lion King and Billy Elliot the musical, is once more lending his talents to a new project.Clearly fitting it around his upcoming collaboration with Britney Spears, Sir Elton worked with Scissors Sisters star Jake Shears, on lyrics, and writer James Graham, who has penned the book.Playwright Graham’s last show for the Almeida, Ink in 2017, transferred to the West End and then on to Broadway, and covered his take on Rupert Murdoch’s purchasing of The Sun newspaper in 1969.It was nominated for – and won – multiple Olivier and Tony Awards, with Graham also the brains behind popular new BBC crime thriller Sherwood.Katie Brayben will be stepping into the shoes of Jessica Chastain as Tammy Faye Messner, the colourful televangelist whose empathy for those living with HIV and Aids in the 1980s made her a gay icon.Perhaps Messner’s defining moment was her television interview with Steve Pieters in 1985, an openly gay pastor living with HIV.Chastain won this year’s best actress Oscar for her performance as the PTL (Praise The Lord) Club founder, on her third nomination following back-to-back nominations in 2012 and 2013 for The Help and Zero Dark Thirty.Girls and Broadway star Andrew Rannells is taking on the role of her first husband Jim Bakker, played by Andrew Garfield in the 2021 movie, whose behaviour brought about the downfall of the couple’s Christian media empire – which also included popular theme.
