1968: Elton John’s First Photo Shoot

Image: Val Wilmer/Redferns/Getty Images

Reginald Kenneth Dwight was born in 1947 in Pinner, a neighborhood in Greater London. By the age of three, Dwight was playing the piano. He showed an uncanny aptitude for music, and was soon taking formal lessons. At 11, he was admitted to the Royal Academy of Music on a scholarship.

Image: Val Wilmer/Redferns/Getty Images

As a teenager, when Dwight wasn’t busy working for a music publishing company, he played piano in a pub and formed a band with friends, including saxophonist Elton Dean, called Bluesology. They became Long John Baldry’s supporting band.

“I think performers are all show-offs anyway, especially musicians. Unless you show off, you’re not going to get noticed.” – Elton John.

Image: Val Wilmer/Redferns/Getty Images

In 1967, Dwight started collaborating with songwriter Bernie Taupin. In homage to Elton Dean and Long John Baldry, he started going by the name Elton John.

Image: Val Wilmer/Redferns/Getty Images

In 1968, he posed for one of his first publicity photo shoots, debuting the flashy presence that would soon make him one of the biggest music stars in the world.

Image: Val Wilmer/Redferns/Getty Images

Via Mashable