Sir Elton John is celebrating a milestone birthday with his 75th birthday.
Here’s a look back at key events from his glittering career and life.
Sir Elton John is one of Britain’s biggest stars (PA)
Sir Elton has spanned a career spanning more than five decades and has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages.
Sir Elton is introduced to the Queen along with David Frost after a gala variety performance in aid of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Appeal in 1977 (PA).
Sir Elton has a long history with the royal family, who are said to have been fans of the singer-songwriter in the ’70s.
Since then he is said to have been a guest at many events attended and thrown by royalty.
He once said he jogged with the Queen to the rock ‘n’ roll hit Rock Around The Clock at a party at Windsor Castle.
Sir Elton at Live Aid (PA)
The singer was part of the star-studded cast who performed at the 1985 Live Aid benefit concert.
video of the day
Diana, Princess of Wales is welcomed by Sir Elton to the charity premiere of the musical Tango Argentina, at the Aldwych Theatre, London, in aid of the National Aids Trust and the Aids Crisis Trust (PA).
The Rocketman singer was close friends with Diana, Princess of Wales and has been regularly supportive of her sons William and Harry over the years.
In 1981, when Prince Andrew turned 21, the singer was apparently hired to perform at the celebration and it was there that he met Diana and the couple, who bonded over a Charleston on the dance floor.
They became close friends and shared a passion for raising awareness of AIDS.
Elton John performs a rewritten version of his song Candle In The Wind in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales at her funeral (PA)
In 1997, Sir Elton performed at Diana’s funeral after the lyrics of his hit song Candle In The Wind were adapted to reflect her life.
The song seized on the nation’s grief and became the best-selling single in UK chart history.
Sir Elton John with his future husband David Furnish, mother Sheila and stepfather Fred Fairebrother outside Buckingham Palace after he was knighted by the Queen (Charles Green/PA)
The singer was knighted for his services to music and charity in 1998 and has sold more than 300 million records worldwide during his pop career spanning more than five decades.
Sir Elton and David Furnish (Ian West/PA)
Sir Elton and his longtime partner David Furnish entered into a civil partnership in 2005.
Nine years later, in December 2014, the couple married shortly after same-sex marriage was legalized in the UK.
Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Tom Jones and Sir Paul McCartney backstage at the Diamond Jubilee Concert outside Buckingham Palace, London (Dave Thompson/PA)
The singer continued his close relationship with the royal family when he performed at the Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012.
Sir Elton attends the UK premiere of Rocketman in Leicester Square, London in 2019 with Furnish (Ian West/PA)
In 2019, a biopic about the life and music of Sir Elton was released, in which Taron Egerton takes on the role of the pop star.
The film deals with his struggles with his sexuality, drugs and alcohol.
Sir Elton admitted the film made him emotional, but added that he “wouldn’t have changed a thing”.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin with their Best Original Song Oscar at the 92nd Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles (Jennifer Graylock/PA)
Sir Elton has received many awards throughout his career, including two Academy Awards for Best Original Music – the first in 1994 for the classic Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King soundtrack.
The second came in 2019 for (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again from the Rocketman soundtrack, along with songwriter Bernie Taupin.
Sir Elton John after being made a member of the Order of Companions of Honor for services to music and charity during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Sir Elton John was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honor for services to music and charity in November 2021.
He was presented with the prestigious honor in recognition of his glittering music career and campaigning against AIDS.
After receiving the prestigious national award, the singer said he was spurred on to make new music and raise awareness of AIDS.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/in-pictures-sir-elton-johns-glittering-career-and-life-as-he-turns-75-41485876.html In pictures: Sir Elton John’s glittering career and life as he turns 75