A Birthday Post

Today is Elton John’s birthday! I have celebrated every year since 1973 (when I found out his birthday is 3/25,) so if you’re also a fan, join me in a celebratory post. If you don’t care for Elton’s music, maybe you still are thankful he’s a good human out there doing good things for people. Or, of course, you could just skip the post, and no worries. Anyway, it’s Elton John’s birthday, and he’s 78 today! 🎊 🎂 🎂

Much of what is here will come from his own page, About Elton John. Fair’s fair; there was quite a bit of is-he-or-isn’t-he in “Tiger Beat” and the other teen celeb/music magazines, and who knows what the old people were saying about him as if they knew anything. (wink) Anyway, I’m taking info from his own pages these days, now that I’m an old people and realize I know much less than I did when I was a young tween-teen.

So, music will be scattered throughout, but I’m cutting directly to the humanitarian work Elton John both funds and participates with. We likely recall the song collaboration to benefit ill people during the nightmare early years of AIDS. From his page, here is what he has done and continues, over the years:

The Elton John AIDS Foundation: our mission is to end the AIDS epidemic.

People can live a full and healthy life with HIV, yet 15 million people today are not accessing the life-saving HIV treatment they need because they are already restricted in their own society: gay men, young people, those who inject drugs or sell sex, and transgender women. Most new HIV infections are in these marginalised groups. They face abandonment, discrimination and violence. This just isn’t good enough. Tragically, it stops them from getting the effective, life-saving services that already exist and so prolongs the AIDS epidemic. The Elton John AIDS Foundation harnesses local expertise across four continents to challenge discrimination, prevent infections and provide treatment for these groups, as well as mobilising governments to end AIDS. We will not stop until the AIDS epidemic is over.

As a leader in the global AIDS community, the Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to helping overcome the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keeps us from ending AIDS.

In 1992, Elton established the Elton John AIDS Foundation after losing many friends and loved ones to the AIDS epidemic. Today, after years of fundraising, advocacy, and funding innovative grants, the Foundation is the 6th largest independent AIDS funder globally. Elton has travelled from South Africa, Ukraine, Armenia, across the US and to many other countries as well as speaking at many International AIDS conferences to use his platform and influence to push, persuade and demand change and care for people at risk or living with HIV and is committed to not leave anyone behind in the AIDS epidemic. Elton has been acknowledged for his philanthropic and music contributions with a knighthood from HM Queen Elizabeth II and most recently, Elton received the Legion d’Honneur from President Macron, the Companion of Honour in the UK.

Follow the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. To learn more visit eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org or to give a gift, please donate here.

You can see more about his charitable work here.

So, the MUSIC! There is a great timeline, again on his own page, and what fun it is to follow along there. But in case someone doesn’t want to click, here are a few videos of some music.

Elton writes the music to “Your Song”.

On October 27 1969, Elton “didn’t do anything” apart from writing the song that would change his life and career forever.

Your Song was released a year later, on 1970’s album Elton John, and has been described as “near-perfect”. It is certified platinum in the USA, has been streamed over 100 million times on Spotify and is considered by Rolling Stone as one of the Greatest Songs of All Time. (Hear it again up above in this post. Or get out your album/cassette, or dare I say, 8-track!)

Some other work Elton has done includes:

Musical Theatre

Elton has composed songs, in collaboration with lyricists Sir Tim Rice, Lee Hall, and Bernie Taupin, for:

★ The Lion King (1998) – Six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and named the highest-grossing stage show or film release in the world.

★ Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida (2000) – Tony Award for Best Original Score; Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

★ Billy Elliot the Musical (2005) – Olivier Award for Best Musical; 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

★ Lestat (2006)

And then, though I personally have little interest in sports, Elton John does:

Sports

Music may be Elton John’s first passion, but another abiding interest runs it a close second: sport.

In some ways, it’s an unsurprising second love, as the parallels are numerous. A devotion to high-level performance, the adrenaline rush of playing in front of big crowds — and the ever-present knowledge that you’re only as good as your last performance. To rise to — and stay — at the top in both disciplines also requires similar qualities: stamina, endless practice and an unstinting professional approach. Oh yes, and a rich seam of natural talent. (snip)

So, the post is getting long, I’ll cut it short for some party music. It is a day we can celebrate in small ways all day, and music does soothe the savage beast, etc. I’m so thankful we’ve had Elton John all these years to provide entertainment, refuge, and respite from daily life. Happy Birthday, Sir Elton John!

And to slow it down a bit,

If you want to, add some info, experience, or your own favorites in the comments, and enjoy your day today!