Elton John Fast Facts
Personal
Birth place: Pinner, Middlesex, England
Birth name: Reginald Kenneth Dwight
Father: Stanley Dwight, a Royal Air Force officer
Mother: Sheila (Harris) Dwight
Other Facts
Won a piano scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age 11.
Officially changed his name to Elton John in 1967. The name was inspired by members of his early band, Bluesology. The saxophone player was named Elton Dean, and the lead singer was named Long John Baldry.
Early in his career, he was known for whimsical costumes and wild glasses. He’s taken the stage wearing a duck suit, a sequined baseball uniform and a Ronald McDonald outfit. He wore the colorful clothes to help create a spectacle and offset his shyness onstage.