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Now performing at the Colosseum in his new show The Red Piano, Elton John is still amazing audiences with his classic hits decades after their release. With an energetic performance, fancy lighting, pyrotechnics, and even some silly props. Elton John is unstoppable and he has become a Vegas Icon who is easily being compared to top headliners like Celine Dion who performed to sold-out audiences for five years on the very same stage.
It only seems fitting that Elton John would be one of our favorite Las Vegas icons because of the way he embodies everything that Las Vegas stands for.
From his outlandish suits and sparkling props to his ever-present sunglasses, he is a Las Vegas star all the way. However, things weren’t always as simple for the now knighted Sir Elton John. John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Middlesex, England in 1947. He quit school at the age of 15 to pursue a career in music. His family strongly disagreed with his decision to enter the music industry and tried their best to force him to choose a more stable career. However, his parents were avid music lovers and much of the reason why he had a strong love for music at a young age. His parents owned a large collection of records and his father was even an ex-trumpet player. At only 15, Elton John landed a job playing piano on to a weekend crowd at a local pub. John then spent some time with a new blues band called Bluesology and practiced with them on his spare time while not working solo gigs. In 1967 Elton John teamed up with lyricist Bernie Taupin and answered an ad to write songs for Liberty Records. Elton John was a name created shortly after signing a record deal that was actually a combination of the the names of one of his old band mates and one of his idles, blues singer, Long John Baldry. In 1970 Elton John released his first top 10 hit with “Your Song” off his album Border Song and Elton John soon became an American hit as well as a hit with audiences overseas. Three years later, his album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road received rave reviews from critics instantly as Elton John was soon being called a pop superstar.
In 1976 his career and personal life took a considerable blow when a Rolling Stones article stated that John was bisexual. After the article was published, John released only one album that year, opposed to the two he was producing before, and spent most of his time alone at home. However, after reuniting with Bernie Taupin in the 1980’s Elton John was soon creating top 10 hits once again. In 1988 he performed a record breaking sold out performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden putting him back on top as one of the most appreciated pop singers of the time. By the 90’s Elton John underwent a dark period and was placed in rehab for his addictions with alcoholism, drugs, and bulimia. However, his fans did now swagger or point fingers at the pop star and wished only for his speedy recovery.
In 1984 John was married to long-time lover Renate Blaeul and came out to the world and announced that he was openly gay. Although many of his fans did not find this a secret, Elton John was now felt free to be himself and start producing music again. In 1995, John was knighted and made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1995, allowing him the right to use “Sir” in front of his name. Shortly after the death of Princess Diana, Elton John released “Candle in the Wind” which became the fastest and biggest selling single of all time in the UK. He later received a Grammy for the album and his status as superstar was secured.
Now, over a decade later, audiences still form lines around the block to hear him sing. He is now performing live at the Colosseum, sharing the stage intermittently with Bette Midler. His show is considered a bit risqué but lots of fun! His full on Las Vegas spectacular includes the use of dancers, television screens, and even a blow-up doll. Flashy, fun, and flamboyant, Elton John has the classic Las Vegas look and feel. He is also selling out night after night so purchase tickets in advance. Tickets for Elton John: The Red Piano are on sale now.
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