Elton John is one of the longest enduring performers in show business. With only two days to go before he shows Abu Dhabi just what he's made of, we look at the life of the Rocket Man whose success is off the planet.
It seems as if Elton John has always been around. For the last four decades, the English singer has written hit after hit and sold more than 250 million albums. And, despite turning 60 last year, the larger-than-life musician shows no sign of slowing down - a fact that fans in the UAE are ever grateful for as he prepares to perform at Emirates Palace, in Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday.
John's flamboyant persona and alternative, and at times scandalous, lifestyle have meant he has rarely been out of the public eye since he rose to fame all those years ago.
The alter-ego makes it easy to forget that it's his talent as a singer and songwriter that has earned him his rightful place in history.
Piano lessons
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, his musical ability was quick to shine through and by the age of 3 he was already playing the piano. Growing up in a council house in the London suburb of Pinner, he was influenced by his parents who both enjoyed music and bought many records. He began taking piano lessons at the age of 7 and at 9-year-old, his mother introduced him to the music of Elvis Presley - an experience that ignited the young musician's enthusiasm for rock 'n' roll.
At 11, he started honing his craft further after winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, in London, and before long he was playing gigs in local pubs.
His first band Bluesology, formed in 1961, saw the teenage Dwight touring with the likes of the Isley Brothers and Patti LaBelle.
But it was responding to an advert in the New Musical Express in 1967 that was the most significant career-changing moment for the man who by then wanted to be known as Elton John. Ray Williams, an A&R manager for Liberty Records, teamed John's musical talent up with the lyricist Bernie Taupin who had also replied to the ad. It was a match made in heaven and one that has survived ever since.
Breakthrough
The prolific duo began churning out songs for the likes of Lulu and Roger Cook and by the time John released his self-titled breakthrough album, he and Taupin were like a well-oiled machine. Taupin could write the lyrics in half an hour and 30 minutes' later, John had written the music.
The single Your Song from that pivotal album became a Top 10 hit in America and established John as an artist to contend with.
As John himself observed: "The great thing about rock and roll is that someone like me can be a star."
While he will never top the World's Most Handsome Pop Star list, John doesn't need to – his back catalogue speaks for itself.
Between 1970 and 1976, John and Taupin spawned no less than 14 albums with hits including Rocket Man, Daniel, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Candle In the Wind and Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. But stardom was taking its toll and John suffered a drugs overdose in 1975 during Elton John Week in Los Angeles. John was also bulimic and had problems with alcohol addiction. He seemed destined to burn out. And so he did when, in 1977, John announced he was retiring from performing.
Rehab
Lucky for fans, his hiatus was short-lived and he reunited with Taupin in 1979 to pick up where they left off. The 1980s brought us more timeless hits, from I'm Still Standing to I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues.
The year 1990 was a turning point for John who, after years of substance abuse, checked himself into rehab to address his various issues. He has been sober ever since. The same year, his song Sacrifice reached No 1 in the UK singles' charts.
In the decade that followed, John broadened his musical scope by collaborating with Tim Rice, to create the musical The Lion King, and teaming up with a range of diverse artists on his Duets album in 1993, including George Michael, Nik Kershaw, Tammy Wynette and Gladys Knight.
John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and the following year, he was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for his contribution to music.
He broke all records in 1997 with the version of Candle In The Wind which he performed at the funeral of his close friend Diana, Princess of Wales. It sold more than 33 million copies making it the biggest selling single of all time.
John's music continued to explore new boundaries in 2000 when he teamed up with Rice once more to write the songs for the animated film The Road To Eldorado. Further collaborations and hits have kept coming through the decade and last year saw John celebrating his 60th birthday with a record-breaking 60th concert at Madison Square Gardens, in New York.
With his 61st birthday approaching on March 25, the musician's work rate seems a world away from retirement. As for performing, fans who have paid to listen to him at Emirates Palace this week can see for themselves if he's still got it.
I'm betting he still has.
The event
What: Elton John
Where: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
When: Tuesday, January 22
Time: Doors open 5pm, concert starts 9pm
Cost: Dh295, Dh595 and Dh950
Call:8004669
