If "Bennie and the Jets" and "Tiny Dancer" don't give away the mastermind behind the two blowout pop classics, perhaps the image of the star-studded pianist will ring a bell. That's right, the legacy of Elton John is one not likely to be forgotten, and his outlandish outfits and popular pub sing-along songs just keep pushing him further into rock ‘n roll oblivion.

John was born in Middlesex, England with the name Reginald Dwight, and he began pounding on piano keys when he was just four years old. Winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age 11, the pianistic sensation studied there for six years before knocking down the doors of the music industry. His first band Bluesology led to supporting tours with several famous groups, and after a stint as Long John Baldry's supporting band the young Elton John embarked on a number of auditions before finally hooking up with Bernie Taupin, with whom he wrote songs for the next few years. It was around this time he changed his name from Reginald to Elton (a combination named after musicians Elton Dean and John Baldry) and his moniker and music soon both stuck in the industry.

By 1968 John had started releasing his own singles, but it wasn't until 1970's Elton John was released that his career really took off. Top Ten hits like "Your Song" and "Rocket Man" started flying off his piano, and 1973's "Crocodile Rock" marked John's first number one hit on the pop charts. From here on, Elton John was a living legend, releasing 16 Top 20 hits in a row. The ‘70s and ‘80s were very productive for John, even after his confession to being homosexual and battles with drug and alcohol abuse and bulimia. His re-recording of "Candle in the Wind" in honor of Princess Diana after her untimely death was an incredible success, and his contribution to Aida won him one of several Grammys. John continues to tour the globe, his piano fingers far from finished.