Sir Elton John says he’s ‘unbelievably lucky’ as he celebrates 75th birthday
The veteran hit-maker acknowledged his milestone birthday
Sir Elton John has said he is determined to keep “giving back to the industry that has given me so much” as he turns 75.
The singer was born on March 25 1947 and to mark the milestone will also be releasing the album Diamonds: The Ultimate Greatest Hits’ on streaming platforms mixed in Dolby Atmos for the first time.
He said: “I’m not usually one to look back or get nostalgic, but 75 is such a milestone birthday.
“I’ll definitely find time today to take stock and thank my lucky stars for my wonderful family, friends and career.
“I feel unbelievably lucky that at 75 I still love what I do so much – I’m still so energised about music and excited I get to play, listen and talk about this every single day.
“Being back on the road is a blast and the thrill of playing live is as amazing as it was 50 years ago.
“I have so much to pass on to the new generation of fans and artists alike, and I’m determined to keep giving back to the industry that has given me so much.”
This weekend will also mark the 30th annual Elton John Aids Foundation viewing party for the Academy Awards, with the event being hosted by the foundation’s chairman, Sir Elton’s husband David Furnish.
Celebrities including singer and former Oscar-winner Lady Gaga, Billy Porter, Will and Grace star Eric McCormack and singer and author Brandi Carlile will also attend the annual event.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin celebrate their Oscar for best original song with Sir Elton’s husband David Furnish in 2020
Sir Elton, who was knighted for services to music and charity in 1998, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide during a pop career spanning more than five decades.
Hits across the years include Rocket Man, I’m Still Standing and Blue Eyes, with Sir Elton notching up his first UK number one single in 16 years last month with Cold Heart, a collaboration with Dua Lipa.
He also reworked another of his hits, Candle In The Wind, which he performed at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, who was a fan and a close friend, both sharing a passion for raising awareness of Aids.
The singer’s emotional performance, originally written in memory of Marilyn Monroe, was one of the most memorable moments of the service at Westminster Abbey tapping into the nation’s grief and the single went on to sell 33 million copies around the world.
The Princess of Wales is greeted by singer Elton John in 1991
Sir Elton has a long history with the royal family. In recent years, he has worked with Prince Harry on Aids causes continuing Diana’s legacy, and he was a guest when Prince William married Kate.
He also performed at the lunchtime reception when Harry tied the knot with Meghan.
In November last year, Sir Elton was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour by the Prince of Wales during a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony.
The musician has also dedicated much of his life to charity, including his Elton John Aids Foundation which he launched in 1992 after “losing many friends and loved ones to the Aids epidemic,” his website said.
On his 70th birthday, Sir Elton auctioned off 25 pieces donated by artists and collectors to mark 25 years of his charity whose mission is to end the AIDS pandemic.
Taron Egerton played Elton John in the Rocketman biopic
In 2007, The Elton John Charitable Trust was set up to allow Sir Elton and Furnish to make charitable contributions outside the world of HIV/Aids, which has supported more than 100 charities across a multitude of causes.
He also supports students at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2002, through the Elton John Scholarship Fund.
Similarly, the Elton John Sports Fund supports Britain’s brightest prospects from more than 50 sports by providing annual awards of £2,000 to help with essential training and competition costs, in partnership with SportsAid.
Sir Elton raised more than £300,000 for the fund at a concert at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire on June 28, 2014.
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In December 2014, Sir Elton married Furnish, nine years after their civil partnership ceremony.
They have two sons named Zachary and Elijah.
At the 2020 Oscars ceremony, Sir Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin scooped the best original song Academy Award for (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again, which featured in Sir Elton’s biopic Rocketman.
The film, produced by Furnish and starring actor Taron Egerton, saw Sir Elton’s life and career depicted on the big screen.
It was Sir Elton’s second Oscar, after he won in 1995 for his work on the Lion King soundtrack.
He has been touring widely as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
The Press Association
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