Sunday September 4, 2022 “Your Song” Elton John
The term genius seems to sell today’s artist short when you look at his vast musical accomplishments and I suspect when viewed at some distant future moment he will be respected as perhaps the greatest composer of his time.
Elton John was writing songs well before he became famous," recalled Hollies guitarist/vocalist Tony Hicks who said, "One was 'Your Song.' I thought it would be a good one for the Hollies, and asked the publisher for permission to record it. He told me Elton had recorded it himself and it was due to be released in the US. He said, 'But it probably won't happen for him, so wait until it's all over.'"
Born Reginald Dwight, not particularly ‘rock & roll’, he would change his name to “Elton John” which was a combination of the names of two of his early bandmates, saxophonist Elton Dean and vocalist Long John Baldry. He legally changed his name to Elton Hercules John in 1972, when he was 25. You know this but just to confirm, Hercules, the hero of Greek and Roman mythology, was not a member of Bluesology, Elton John’s earliest band association.
He began teaching himself to play his grandmother’s piano at age 7, and displayed a knack for playing many songs by ear. His ability eventually won him a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age 11.
Elton John played keyboards on several of the Hollies' tracks, including their hit song "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother," and the English band had hoped to record this song themselves. "We knew Reg (Dwight, Elton John’s original name) because he was a staff writer with a music publisher we used.
The best-selling single of all time in the UK and US “Candle in the Wind 1997” which has sold over 33 million copies worldwide was written of course by Elton John.
Stay safe and well…and just like all the songs of the day, this one's for you.