It's Sir Elton John's birthday today!
So, 10 things you didn’t know about - Elton John
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Elton John started his career in 1964, as a weekend pub pianist at the Northwood Hills Hotel for £1 a night.
Elton John played piano on The Hollies hit 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother'.
Elton once auditioned for prog-rock bands King Crimson and Gentle Giant - he was rejected.
He changed his name by Deed poll in 1972 from Reginald Dwight to Elton Hercules John.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' under the pseudonyms Ann Orson and Carte Blanche.
In 1975, Rev Charles Boykin of Tallahassee, Florida organised the burning of Elton John and Rolling Stones records, claiming they were sinful. Boykin was reacting to the results from a survey that said, 984 of the 1,000 local unmarried mothers had sex when listening to rock music.
In 1976, Elton was immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds in London. The first rock star to be so since The Beatles.
In 1977, after Jimmy Helms pulled out of a gig at Shoreditch College, the members of the social committee decided to call upon famous local, Elton John who lived up the road and ask if he would perform. Elton did the gig for two bottles of wine.
Some of the aliases Sir Elton John has used checking into hotels include, Prince Fooboo, Sir Humphrey Handbag, Lillian Lollipop, Lord Choc Ice, Lord Elpus, Binky Poodleclip and Sir Henry Poodle.
Elton John’s official nickname is Rocket Man - taken from his second hit single - but Rod Stewart calls him Sharon.
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