On May 7, 1968 Reginald Dwight was flying back to the UK after a US tour with his band Bluesology. His solo career was burgeoning and he was giving some thought to a new stage name.
In the cabin he came across the band’s horn player Elton Dean and lead singer Long John Baldry, so he asked them if he could appropriate their names and concoct a new one for himself. They agreed and Elton John was born.
Five years later Elton was at number one on the US album chart with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, his third US number one. America loved him, the world loved him… and we love him!