Elton John Fast Facts - CNN

Elton John Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research

Updated 2215 GMT (0615 HKT) January 16, 2024

Singer Elton John performs in 1973.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
Singer Elton John performs in 1973.
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John appears in one of his first publicity photos in 1968. The singer had officially changed his name to Elton John a year earlier after being born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, England, in 1947. The name was inspired by members of his early band, Bluesology, whose saxophone player was Elton Dean and lead singer was Long John Baldry.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John appears in one of his first publicity photos in 1968. The singer had officially changed his name to Elton John a year earlier after being born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, England, in 1947. The name was inspired by members of his early band, Bluesology, whose saxophone player was Elton Dean and lead singer was Long John Baldry.
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Elton John plays the piano in 1970, the year he launched his first world tour.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
Elton John plays the piano in 1970, the year he launched his first world tour.
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John appears in a 1973 documentary that detailed the production of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Hit songs from that album included "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and the title track.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John appears in a 1973 documentary that detailed the production of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Hit songs from that album included "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and the title track.
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John and his songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin, hold gold records in 1973. Taupin has written the lyrics for many of John's songs over his career, and the two have worked together for decades.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John and his songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin, hold gold records in 1973. Taupin has written the lyrics for many of John's songs over his career, and the two have worked together for decades.
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John and singer Rod Stewart have a bath at the stadium of Watford Football Club in 1973. John, a lifelong Watford fan, later owned the English soccer club. Today, one of the stadium's stands is named after him.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John and singer Rod Stewart have a bath at the stadium of Watford Football Club in 1973. John, a lifelong Watford fan, later owned the English soccer club. Today, one of the stadium's stands is named after him.
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John is overwhelmed by multiple shots on goal while playing around at Watford's stadium in 1974.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John is overwhelmed by multiple shots on goal while playing around at Watford's stadium in 1974.
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John gives a typical energetic performance in 1974. Some of the other hit songs he had by this time: "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," "Crocodile Rock" and "Rocket Man."
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John gives a typical energetic performance in 1974. Some of the other hit songs he had by this time: "Tiny Dancer," "Levon," "Crocodile Rock" and "Rocket Man."
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John appears on stage with John Lennon at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1974.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John appears on stage with John Lennon at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1974.
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John plays the Pinball Wizard in the 1975 film "Tommy," which is based on The Who's album of the same name.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John plays the Pinball Wizard in the 1975 film "Tommy," which is based on The Who's album of the same name.
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John reads some fan mail circa 1975.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John reads some fan mail circa 1975.
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John poses for a portrait circa 1975.
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John poses for a portrait circa 1975.
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John performs at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1975. During his career, he has been nominated for 34 Grammy Awards and won five times. He also has an Academy Award and a Tony Award.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John performs at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1975. During his career, he has been nominated for 34 Grammy Awards and won five times. He also has an Academy Award and a Tony Award.
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John tips his hat after having a star dedicated to him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1975.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John tips his hat after having a star dedicated to him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1975.
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John poses for a photo with Cher and Diana Ross in the mid-1970s.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John poses for a photo with Cher and Diana Ross in the mid-1970s.
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John performs at Earl's Court, a popular arena in London, in the late 1970s.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John performs at Earl's Court, a popular arena in London, in the late 1970s.
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John appears on "The Muppet Show" in 1978. He performed four of his songs on the episode.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John appears on "The Muppet Show" in 1978. He performed four of his songs on the episode.
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John waves from his car in 1978.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John waves from his car in 1978.
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Fans watch John embrace singer and friend Kiki Dee in 1978. The two had a No. 1 hit, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," in 1976.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
Fans watch John embrace singer and friend Kiki Dee in 1978. The two had a No. 1 hit, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," in 1976.
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John stands in the bedroom of his home in Old Windsor, England, in 1978.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John stands in the bedroom of his home in Old Windsor, England, in 1978.
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John poses with his mother and stepfather while touring the Kremlin in Moscow in 1979. He was the first rock or pop star from the West to perform in the Soviet Union.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John poses with his mother and stepfather while touring the Kremlin in Moscow in 1979. He was the first rock or pop star from the West to perform in the Soviet Union.
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John stands in Tiananmen Square while touring Beijing in 1983.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John stands in Tiananmen Square while touring Beijing in 1983.
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John married German recording engineer Renate Blauel in 1984. They divorced in 1988. and John told Rolling Stone magazine that year he was "comfortable" being gay. He told the magazine in 1976 that he was bisexual.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John married German recording engineer Renate Blauel in 1984. They divorced in 1988. and John told Rolling Stone magazine that year he was "comfortable" being gay. He told the magazine in 1976 that he was bisexual.
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John performs in 1986.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John performs in 1986.
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John stands by the bed of AIDS patient Ryan White at a Florida hospital in 1990. Two years later, the singer established the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John stands by the bed of AIDS patient Ryan White at a Florida hospital in 1990. Two years later, the singer established the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
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John, far left, sits at a table with other celebrities, including actress Kate Capshaw, singer Bruce Springsteen, actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg, at one of his foundation's parties in 1994. The party was held after the Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John, far left, sits at a table with other celebrities, including actress Kate Capshaw, singer Bruce Springsteen, actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg, at one of his foundation's parties in 1994. The party was held after the Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
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From left, Billy Joel, John and Sting perform at a benefit concert for the Rainforest Foundation in 1995. Joel and John toured together often during their careers.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
From left, Billy Joel, John and Sting perform at a benefit concert for the Rainforest Foundation in 1995. Joel and John toured together often during their careers.
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John sings "Candle in the Wind" at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997. The tribute became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Proceeds were donated to charity.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John sings "Candle in the Wind" at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997. The tribute became one of the best-selling singles of all time. Proceeds were donated to charity.
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John and rapper Eminem performed Eminem's "Stan" at the Grammy Awards in 2001.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John and rapper Eminem performed Eminem's "Stan" at the Grammy Awards in 2001.
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John gives his final performance of "The Red Piano" in 2009. The show had been held in Las Vegas since 2004. In 2011, John started another Las Vegas residency, "The Million Dollar Piano."
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John gives his final performance of "The Red Piano" in 2009. The show had been held in Las Vegas since 2004. In 2011, John started another Las Vegas residency, "The Million Dollar Piano."
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John holds his son Zachary Jackson Levon in 2011. John and his longtime partner, David Furnish, had the baby through a surrogate. They later welcomed a second son to their family, Elijah Joseph Daniel.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John holds his son Zachary Jackson Levon in 2011. John and his longtime partner, David Furnish, had the baby through a surrogate. They later welcomed a second son to their family, Elijah Joseph Daniel.
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with John at her Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012. In 1998, the Queen knighted John for his music and charity work.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with John at her Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012. In 1998, the Queen knighted John for his music and charity work.
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John performs at the Diamond Jubilee Concert.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John performs at the Diamond Jubilee Concert.
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John performs with Ed Sheeran at the 2013 Grammy Awards. They teamed up for Sheeran's song "The A Team."
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John performs with Ed Sheeran at the 2013 Grammy Awards. They teamed up for Sheeran's song "The A Team."
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John and Furnish kiss at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in 2014. They married in December of that year.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John and Furnish kiss at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in 2014. They married in December of that year.
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John meets with US Secretary of State John Kerry in 2014. The two talked about John's foundation as well as PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John meets with US Secretary of State John Kerry in 2014. The two talked about John's foundation as well as PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
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John, Furnish and their two boys pose for a photo in 2015.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John, Furnish and their two boys pose for a photo in 2015.
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John joins talk-show host James Corden for a a little "carpool karaoke" in 2016.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John joins talk-show host James Corden for a a little "carpool karaoke" in 2016.
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John attends Vanity Fair's Oscars party in February 2017.
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John attends Vanity Fair's Oscars party in February 2017.
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John performs in Victoria, British Columbia, in March 2017.
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John performs in Victoria, British Columbia, in March 2017.
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John and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to speak to a crowd in Paris in June 2019. John was being honored with France's highest civilian award.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to speak to a crowd in Paris in June 2019. John was being honored with France's highest civilian award.
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John makes a surprise curtain call appearance in Sydney as he visits the cast of "Billy Elliot: The Musical" in November 2019. John did the music for the production.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John makes a surprise curtain call appearance in Sydney as he visits the cast of "Billy Elliot: The Musical" in November 2019. John did the music for the production.
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John and Taupin hold the Oscars they won for best original song in 2020. They won for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from the John biopic "Rocketman."
Photos: The legendary Elton John
John and Taupin hold the Oscars they won for best original song in 2020. They won for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from the John biopic "Rocketman."
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John performs in January 2022 during his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour.
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John performs in January 2022 during his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour.
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US President Joe Biden, joined by first lady Jill Biden, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/23/politics/elton-john-humanities-medal-white-house-performance-biden/index.html" target="_blank">presents John with the National Humanities Medal</a> after a concert on the South Lawn of the White House in September 2022. The medal, according to the presentation, was to honor John "for moving our souls with his powerful voice and one of the defining song books of all time. An enduring icon and advocate with absolute courage, who found purpose to challenge convention, shatter stigma and advance the simple truth — that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect."
Photos: The legendary Elton John
US President Joe Biden, joined by first lady Jill Biden, presents John with the National Humanities Medal after a concert on the South Lawn of the White House in September 2022. The medal, according to the presentation, was to honor John "for moving our souls with his powerful voice and one of the defining song books of all time. An enduring icon and advocate with absolute courage, who found purpose to challenge convention, shatter stigma and advance the simple truth — that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect."
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Fans watch Elton John perform on stage during the Glastonbury Festival in Glastonbury, England on June 25. The artist has said this will be his last ever live show in the UK.
Photos: The legendary Elton John
Fans watch Elton John perform on stage during the Glastonbury Festival in Glastonbury, England on June 25. The artist has said this will be his last ever live show in the UK.
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(CNN)Here's a look at the life of Elton John, award-winning singer, composer and pianist.

Personal

Birth date: March 25, 1947
    Birth place: Pinner, Middlesex, England
      Birth name: Reginald Kenneth Dwight
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      Father: Stanley Dwight, a Royal Air Force officer
      Mother: Sheila (Harris) Dwight
        Marriages: David Furnish (2014-present); Renate Blauel (1984-1988, divorced)
        Children: Born via surrogate with Furnish: Elijah Joseph Daniel, Zachary Jackson Levon

        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.
        Nominated for four Academy Awards and has won twice.
        Nominated for 35 Grammy Awards and has won five, plus received a Grammy Legend Award.
        Nominated for four Tony Awards and has won once.
        Nominated for one Emmy Award and won.
        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.
        He is ranked third on Billboard's list of Greatest of All Time Artists. Only The Beatles and The Rolling Stones rank higher.
        John's tribute to Princess Diana, "Candle in the Wind 1997," sold more than 10 million copies in the United States. Proceeds from record sales were donated to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, which issued grants to a variety of charities.

        Timeline

        1967 - Starts working as a songwriter for Liberty Records. This is the beginning of his songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin.
        1970 - Launches his first world tour.
        1973 - Reaches the top of the Billboard singles chart for the first time with "Crocodile Rock." He also releases the double album, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," which spawns a series of hits including the title track, "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and "Bennie and the Jets." The album also features "Candle in the Wind," originally written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, later adapted into a song for Princess Diana after her death.
        1975 - Appears in a movie based on the Who's rock opera, "Tommy." John performs the song, "Pinball Wizard," in the film. That same year, John's album, "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy," becomes the first LP in Billboard history to debut at No. 1 on the charts.
        1976 - John duets with Kiki Dee on the number one hit, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."
        1979 - Becomes the first rock or pop star from the West to perform in the Soviet Union.
        July 13, 1985 - Performs at the Live Aid benefit concert in London for famine relief. Other featured artists at the all-star show include Paul McCartney, Queen, David Bowie and U2.
        February 24, 1987 - Wins the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal - "That's What Friends Are For" - with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder.
        1990 - Seeks treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.
        1992 - Establishes the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
        February 25, 1992 - Wins the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for "Basque."
        January 19, 1994 - Is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
        July 1994 - John teams up with Billy Joel for a series of concerts called "Face to Face." The two piano mavens tour together repeatedly over the course of 16 years.
        March 1, 1995 - Wins the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight."
        March 27, 1995 - Wins the Academy Award for Best Music (Original Score) for "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" from Disney's "The Lion King."
        September 6, 1997 - Performs "Candle in the Wind 1997" at Princess Diana's funeral.
        February 24, 1998 - Queen Elizabeth II names John an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
        February 25, 1998 - Wins the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Candle in the Wind 1997."
        February 23, 2000 - Is presented with the Grammy Legend Award.
        June 4, 2000 - Wins the Tony Award for Best Original Musical Score for "Aida."
        February 21, 2001 - Wins the Grammy for Best Musical Show Album for "Aida."
        2004-2009 - Performs a series of shows at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas called "Elton John and the Red Piano."
        December 21, 2005 - John and Furnish have a civil partnership ceremony, after 12 years together.
        November 13, 2008 - "Billy Elliot: The Musical," featuring a score composed by John, opens on Broadway and goes on to win 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
        September 28, 2011 - John begins a second residency at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, with a series of concerts called "The Million Dollar Piano."
        May 2012 - During a "Million Dollar Piano" performance, John becomes seriously ill. He is hospitalized in Los Angeles for a respiratory infection.
        July 2013 - Cancels European tour dates due to an upcoming surgery for appendicitis.
        November 10, 2016 - The Tate Modern museum in London opens an art show called "The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography from the Sir Elton John Collection." The exhibition features highlights from John's trove of 8,000 prints of vintage photos dating back to the turn of the 20th century.
        January 24, 2018 - Announces that his next world tour will be his last. "I've been touring since I was 17 with various bands," John says. "I thought the time is right to say thank you to all my fans and say goodbye."
        September 8, 2018 - Begins his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
        May 31, 2019 - The film, "Rocketman," depicting the life of John and starring Taron Egerton, debuts at the US box office. John is a producer.
        June 2019 - "Diamonds," a compilation of John's greatest hits, reaches No. 7 on the Billboard 200, making it his 20th top 10 album on the list. John becomes the 10th musician to do this.
        October 15, 2019 - His autobiography "Me" is published.
        February 9, 2020 - Wins the Academy Award for Best Music (Original Song) for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from "Rocket Man."
        February 16, 2020 - John announces that he has been diagnosed with walking pneumonia while on tour in Auckland, New Zealand.
        March 16, 2020 - John postpones portions of his tour in North America due to concerns over coronavirus.
        March 29, 2020 - John hosts a benefit special, "Fox Presents the iHeart Living Room Concert for America", that pays tribute to front line health care workers and first responders amid the coronavirus pandemic.
        October 22, 2020 - Mattel releases a limited edition Barbie doll styled in John's likeness. The doll is released to mark the 45th anniversary of the singer's record-breaking, two day performance at the Dodgers Stadium in October 1975.
        February 2021 - John and actor Michael Caine, backed by the UK's National Health Service (NHS), release a video encouraging individuals to get vaccinated for Covid-19.
        September 16, 2021 - John announces that he will undergo hip surgery due to a fall over the summer. John has surgery in October.
        January 25, 2022 - According to a statement from American Airlines Center in Dallas, John's concerts at the arena are postponed after he tested positive for Covid-19. "Fortunately, Elton is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is experiencing only mild symptoms," the venue writes in a statement.
        September 23, 2022 - US President Joe Biden presents John with the National Humanities Medal, surprising the musician following a performance on the South Lawn of the White House.
        November 20, 2022 - Disney+ presents an exclusive livestream of John's final North American performance, "Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium."
          July 8, 2023 - John performs the last concert of the final tour of his career in Stockholm, Sweden.
          January 15, 2024 - John wins an Emmy for his Disney+ special "Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium" and becomes an EGOT winner - the acronym reserved for those who win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.