Elton John's Larger-Than-Life Career in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Elton John.Photo: SSPL/Getty

The star has gone from child prodigy to a multi-platinum-selling artist whose incredible career has spanned more than 50 years. TheSongwriters Hall of Fame(1992) andRock and Roll Hall of Fame(1994) inductee has also supported people with AIDS through theElton John AIDS Foundationsince 1990.

(Before learning more about John’s life, see his rockstar throwbackshere.)

01of 15Elton John Goes on TourElton John.Chris Walter/WireImageThe dynamic performer launched his first tour in 1970 and has clocked more than 4,000 performances across the globe ever since.John sprung into his signature jumps and kicks while playing the piano at his 1974 Christmas Show in Hammersmith, London.02of 15John Lennon Crashes Elton John’s N.Y.C. ShowElton John.Steve Morley/RedfernsJohn Lennon made a surprise appearanceat John’s Madison Square Garden show in N.Y.C. in 1974.03of 15Elton John on the Cher ShowElton John.Bettmann/GettyBette Midler cozied up to John as they hit the set of theChershow on CBS in 1975.04of 15Elton John Performs at Dodger StadiumElton John.Andre Csillag/ShutterstockThe star wore a sequined, custom Los Angeles Dodgers uniform to his sold-out concert at Dodger Stadium in 1975. The famous concert was portrayed in John’s 2019 biopic,Rocketman,which stars Taron Egerton.05of 15Elton John Is Honored on the Hollywood Walk of FameElton John.Michael Ochs Archives/GettyAt the height of his explosive fame, John received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 23, 1975. in L.A.06of 15Elton John Supports Billie Jean KingElton John.PL Gould/IMAGES/GettyHe embraced close friend and tennis legend Billie Jean King at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in N.Y.C. in 1975.07of 15Elton John and the McCartneys at the 1978 Capital Radio Music AwardsElton John.Keystone/Hulton Archive/GettyPaul McCartney and ex-wife Linda sit with John at the 1978 Capital Radio Music Awards in London, where John won best singer and best concert of 1977.08of 15Elton John’s Donald Duck MomentElton John.Chris Morris/ShutterstockPlaying for a crowd of more than 400,000 people in Central Park, John wore a Donald Duck costume as a form of self-expression. It’s the outfit most people ask him about, he once told PEOPLE of his legendary look.“I still have it,” he said. “It was impossible to sit in! A disaster but a landmark.“The memorable moment took place in New York City in 1980, and was an example of John’s uncompromising promise to always be himself.“I was stuck behind a piano,” he said. “I wanted to express myself through my outfits.“09of 15Elton John Wins His First OscarElton John.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesJohn and Tim Rice posed proudly with their Oscars during the 67th Annual Academy Awards. The duo won Best Original Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” fromThe Lion King.10of 15Elton John Sings at Princess Diana’s FuneralElton John.Anwar Hussein/GettyJohn sang “Candle in the Wind” at the funeral for his late friend Princess Diana at Westminster Abbey in 1997. The two became fast friends after meeting at Prince Andrew’s 21st birthday party in 1981.11of 15Elton John Attends Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s WeddingElton John.Samir Hussein/WireImageIn the following years after Princess Diana’s death, John remained close to her two sonsPrince WilliamandPrince Harry. The star andhusband David FurnishattendedPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018.John and Furnish got married in 2014 and sharetwo sons, Zachary and Elijah.12of 15Elton John Hangs with the BeckhamsElton John.Elton John InstagramJohn and Furnish went on holiday with Victoria and David Beckham in 2019. John and actress Elizabeth Hurley are godparents to two of the Beckhams' sons, Brooklyn and Romeo.13of 15Elton John Is Honored at Windsor CastleElton John.Dominic Lipinski/GettyThe star was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for his outstanding achievements in music and charity at Windsor Castle in 2021.14of 15Elton John Wins His Second Oscar for RocketmanElton John.Michael Kovac/GettyFurnish and John posed with John’s Oscar for Best Original Song “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” fromRocketmanin 2020. John shared the award with songwriter Bernie Taupin.15of 15Elton John Achieves EGOT StatusElton John.Kevin Mazur/GettyIn 2024, the singer wonan Emmy Award for outstanding live variety special forElton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, adding him to the short list of celebrities to haveearned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

01of 15Elton John Goes on TourElton John.Chris Walter/WireImageThe dynamic performer launched his first tour in 1970 and has clocked more than 4,000 performances across the globe ever since.John sprung into his signature jumps and kicks while playing the piano at his 1974 Christmas Show in Hammersmith, London.

01of 15

Elton John Goes on Tour

Elton John.Chris Walter/WireImage

The dynamic performer launched his first tour in 1970 and has clocked more than 4,000 performances across the globe ever since.

John sprung into his signature jumps and kicks while playing the piano at his 1974 Christmas Show in Hammersmith, London.

02of 15John Lennon Crashes Elton John’s N.Y.C. ShowElton John.Steve Morley/RedfernsJohn Lennon made a surprise appearanceat John’s Madison Square Garden show in N.Y.C. in 1974.

02of 15

John Lennon Crashes Elton John’s N.Y.C. Show

Elton John.Steve Morley/Redferns

John Lennon made a surprise appearanceat John’s Madison Square Garden show in N.Y.C. in 1974.

03of 15Elton John on the Cher ShowElton John.Bettmann/GettyBette Midler cozied up to John as they hit the set of theChershow on CBS in 1975.

03of 15

Elton John on the Cher Show

Elton John.Bettmann/Getty

Bette Midler cozied up to John as they hit the set of theChershow on CBS in 1975.

04of 15Elton John Performs at Dodger StadiumElton John.Andre Csillag/ShutterstockThe star wore a sequined, custom Los Angeles Dodgers uniform to his sold-out concert at Dodger Stadium in 1975. The famous concert was portrayed in John’s 2019 biopic,Rocketman,which stars Taron Egerton.

04of 15

Elton John Performs at Dodger Stadium

Elton John.Andre Csillag/Shutterstock

The star wore a sequined, custom Los Angeles Dodgers uniform to his sold-out concert at Dodger Stadium in 1975. The famous concert was portrayed in John’s 2019 biopic,Rocketman,which stars Taron Egerton.

05of 15Elton John Is Honored on the Hollywood Walk of FameElton John.Michael Ochs Archives/GettyAt the height of his explosive fame, John received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 23, 1975. in L.A.

05of 15

Elton John Is Honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Elton John.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

At the height of his explosive fame, John received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 23, 1975. in L.A.

06of 15Elton John Supports Billie Jean KingElton John.PL Gould/IMAGES/GettyHe embraced close friend and tennis legend Billie Jean King at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in N.Y.C. in 1975.

06of 15

Elton John Supports Billie Jean King

Elton John.PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty

He embraced close friend and tennis legend Billie Jean King at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in N.Y.C. in 1975.

07of 15Elton John and the McCartneys at the 1978 Capital Radio Music AwardsElton John.Keystone/Hulton Archive/GettyPaul McCartney and ex-wife Linda sit with John at the 1978 Capital Radio Music Awards in London, where John won best singer and best concert of 1977.

07of 15

Elton John and the McCartneys at the 1978 Capital Radio Music Awards

Elton John.Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty

Paul McCartney and ex-wife Linda sit with John at the 1978 Capital Radio Music Awards in London, where John won best singer and best concert of 1977.

08of 15Elton John’s Donald Duck MomentElton John.Chris Morris/ShutterstockPlaying for a crowd of more than 400,000 people in Central Park, John wore a Donald Duck costume as a form of self-expression. It’s the outfit most people ask him about, he once told PEOPLE of his legendary look.“I still have it,” he said. “It was impossible to sit in! A disaster but a landmark.“The memorable moment took place in New York City in 1980, and was an example of John’s uncompromising promise to always be himself.“I was stuck behind a piano,” he said. “I wanted to express myself through my outfits.”

08of 15

Elton John’s Donald Duck Moment

Elton John.Chris Morris/Shutterstock

Playing for a crowd of more than 400,000 people in Central Park, John wore a Donald Duck costume as a form of self-expression. It’s the outfit most people ask him about, he once told PEOPLE of his legendary look.

“I still have it,” he said. “It was impossible to sit in! A disaster but a landmark.”

The memorable moment took place in New York City in 1980, and was an example of John’s uncompromising promise to always be himself.

“I was stuck behind a piano,” he said. “I wanted to express myself through my outfits.”

09of 15Elton John Wins His First OscarElton John.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesJohn and Tim Rice posed proudly with their Oscars during the 67th Annual Academy Awards. The duo won Best Original Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” fromThe Lion King.

09of 15

Elton John Wins His First Oscar

Elton John.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

John and Tim Rice posed proudly with their Oscars during the 67th Annual Academy Awards. The duo won Best Original Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” fromThe Lion King.

10of 15Elton John Sings at Princess Diana’s FuneralElton John.Anwar Hussein/GettyJohn sang “Candle in the Wind” at the funeral for his late friend Princess Diana at Westminster Abbey in 1997. The two became fast friends after meeting at Prince Andrew’s 21st birthday party in 1981.

10of 15

Elton John Sings at Princess Diana’s Funeral

Elton John.Anwar Hussein/Getty

John sang “Candle in the Wind” at the funeral for his late friend Princess Diana at Westminster Abbey in 1997. The two became fast friends after meeting at Prince Andrew’s 21st birthday party in 1981.

11of 15Elton John Attends Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s WeddingElton John.Samir Hussein/WireImageIn the following years after Princess Diana’s death, John remained close to her two sonsPrince WilliamandPrince Harry. The star andhusband David FurnishattendedPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018.John and Furnish got married in 2014 and sharetwo sons, Zachary and Elijah.

11of 15

Elton John Attends Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Wedding

Elton John.Samir Hussein/WireImage

In the following years after Princess Diana’s death, John remained close to her two sonsPrince WilliamandPrince Harry. The star andhusband David FurnishattendedPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018.

John and Furnish got married in 2014 and sharetwo sons, Zachary and Elijah.

12of 15Elton John Hangs with the BeckhamsElton John.Elton John InstagramJohn and Furnish went on holiday with Victoria and David Beckham in 2019. John and actress Elizabeth Hurley are godparents to two of the Beckhams' sons, Brooklyn and Romeo.

12of 15

Elton John Hangs with the Beckhams

Elton John.Elton John Instagram

John and Furnish went on holiday with Victoria and David Beckham in 2019. John and actress Elizabeth Hurley are godparents to two of the Beckhams' sons, Brooklyn and Romeo.

13of 15Elton John Is Honored at Windsor CastleElton John.Dominic Lipinski/GettyThe star was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for his outstanding achievements in music and charity at Windsor Castle in 2021.

13of 15

Elton John Is Honored at Windsor Castle

Elton John.Dominic Lipinski/Getty

The star was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for his outstanding achievements in music and charity at Windsor Castle in 2021.

14of 15Elton John Wins His Second Oscar for RocketmanElton John.Michael Kovac/GettyFurnish and John posed with John’s Oscar for Best Original Song “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” fromRocketmanin 2020. John shared the award with songwriter Bernie Taupin.

14of 15

Elton John Wins His Second Oscar for Rocketman

Elton John.Michael Kovac/Getty

Furnish and John posed with John’s Oscar for Best Original Song “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” fromRocketmanin 2020. John shared the award with songwriter Bernie Taupin.

15of 15Elton John Achieves EGOT StatusElton John.Kevin Mazur/GettyIn 2024, the singer wonan Emmy Award for outstanding live variety special forElton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, adding him to the short list of celebrities to haveearned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

15of 15

Elton John Achieves EGOT Status

Elton John.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

In 2024, the singer wonan Emmy Award for outstanding live variety special forElton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, adding him to the short list of celebrities to haveearned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

source: people.com