For over 50 years Elton John has been able to make people happy with his upbeat soulful songs. He has been a big icon in the lbgtq+ lives of people, made successful hits being the youngest musician/singer to get fame, and so much more for being a real human.  His success truly started in North America at the Dodger Stadium concert in 1975, and that is where it will end.

Born on March 25, 1947, in Middlesex England, he was a child prodigy on the piano, winning awards and recognition. He received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, discovering pop, rhythm, and blues, making him want to join a band called Bluesology. Later on, he posted an advertisement about needing help and found Bernie Taupin, who helped start all of his successes in the 1950s.  In the 1960s, when he was 17, he joined a backing band.

He made his big debut in 1970 with his song Rocket Man, earning a name for himself and his iconic Dodgers Stadium concert with a be-dazzled Dodgers suit. He had over 25 platinum records sold and has sold over 300 million records worldwide.

But struggled in his personal life.  Like many musicians, he had a drug addiction that had spanned for over two decades. In 1974, he tasted cocaine for the first time. He was hooked on it almost immediately and had a hunger for it 24/7.  He was also addicted to alcohol and food and suffered from bulimia for six years.  “I wasn’t a rational human being anymore,” he says.  It was also the time when AIDS became prevalent and he lost many friends to it.  He was falling down a deep dark depressing hole.

He was silently begging for help for the monster he had become. In 1990, the “I’m Still Standing Singer” took the first on his remarkable road to recovery. “If I hadn’t finally taken the big step of asking for help 30 years ago, I’d be dead,” the singer wrote in a 2020 Tweet celebrating his 30^th sober anniversary.  He saw people who were fighting AIDS and it lifted him up to do the same. He made a foundation called The Elton John AIDS Foundation, raising 385 million for HIV and AIDS programming around the world.

Elton John made an impression on everyone’s lives by being an icon back when the gay rights movement. He came out as bisexual in 1976, making his showing of the same-sex affair.  After a few years, he found love with now filmmaker, David Furnish, tieing the knot officially in 2014.

His impact also made celebrities love him, collaborating and befriending everyone from Lil Nas X, Lady Gaga, Princess Diana, Prince, and Eminem. His last concert here in North America was the place you’d want to be at. His Farewell Yellow Brick Tour began with the classic song “Bennie and the Jets”.  He put all his charisma and fingers into his piano

playing when he was on stage – his band was amazing too; the rock and blues in this song go so well together. The electric guitarist Davey Johnstone was great and Elton agreed when he announced the band members he’s been playing with since 1971. With Dua Lipa joining him in duets it was perfect. Elton ended the show with the love of his life, his family, to show why he’s retiring. He really wants to be there for his sons Zachary and Elijah.

Personally, I fell in love with his song “Crocodile Rock” when I was a little kid, the catchy rhythm and lyrics burned in the back of my head. His song made me so happy and energetic. When he played this song on his North American tour, I immediately just sang and danced along to it. It made me think of singing with my mom on car rides. I wished I did go to the concert cause it looked so good on tv.

all three of generations are not going to forget the rocket man and I hope the new ones won’t forget it too.