"Rocket Man: The Number Ones" by Elton John

"Rocket Man Number Ones"

Universal/2007

www.eltonjohn.com

He was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947; but year later in 1966 using the names of influential band mates he change his name to Elton Hercules John. Today is is simply known as Elton John or Sir Elton.

Never one to conform to the norm, Sir Elton entered the Royal Academy of Music at the age of eleven and formed his first band while still a teen. His first attempt at an album in 1969 "Empty Sky" was a hit for the critics but a flop in sales.

Hired as a staff writer for Liberty Records young Elton was paired with a fellow songwriter named Bernie Taupin. For the first six months the duo wrote via mail. Once the pair actually teamed up in person they would produce a song in as little as an hour. Once Taupin produced the lyrics Elton could compose the music in half an hour. The pair became one of the most prolific songwriting duos to hit the music world..

After being paired with Taupin, Elton's next album was a hit and every one after that for years to come topped the charts in the UK and in the US. Since then Sir Elton has had 37 gold albums, 26 platinum records, and his "Greatest Hits" album was awarded a Diamond Award for selling 16 million copies. In 1997 Sir Elton re-wrote his hit "Candle in the Wind" a tribute to Marilyn Monroe as a tribute to his friend Princess Diana. The song titled "Candle in the Wind 97" was debuted at her funeral service. The song sold three million copies in the first week and debuted at the number one spot in the UK and in the US. The song held the number one spot for 14 weeks in the US and went on to sell 33 million copies worldwide.

In a move that threatened to scuttle his career in 1976 Elton John confessed to Rolling Stone magazine that he was bi-sexual because he was afraid to admit that he was gay at the time. The statement did little harm to his musical career. Sir Elton has sold millions of albums, won six Tony Awards, Brit Awards, five Grammys, eleven Ivor Novella Awards, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, presented the Grammy Legend Award, and inducted as a member of the Kennedy Center Honours. He was the first western pop star to perform in the USSR. And he has appeared at Madison Square Garden more than any other performer. Sir Elton celebrated his sixtieth birthday with performance number 60 at the Garden. Sir Elton was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998. And in December 2005 Sir Elton took advantage of the newly passed Civil Union law in the UK and married longtime partner David Furnish.

Also as a part of his birthday celebratinon Sir Elton released a new album titled "Rocket Man Number Ones". The album contains 12 number one hits from his long career and five songs he calls other favourites. Among the songs are of Elton's most beautifully written works his first hit single "Your Song" and Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word". "Tiny Dancer" and the original "Candle in the Wind" are also on the album.

"Rocket Man Number Ones" is a must have for any Elton John fan. The album cover is adorned with Sir Elton in his various incarnations throughout his career. And ever the activist Sir Elton has packaged his new album in an environmentally friendly package.