Elton John's birthday is set to be celebrated with a special Saturday night schedule featuring interviews and performances from the star on BBC Two. Born on March 25, 1947, Elton will be turning 75 this Friday.
After learning how to play the piano, often playing by ear, at a very young age, Elton enjoyed a childhood enriched by music. He formed Bluesology in the 1960s, and played with them until 1967, which was the same year he met his longtime musical partner, lyricist Bernie Taupin.
Since scoring his first hit single with 'Your Song' in 1970, Elton skyrocketed to success. Over the course of his six decade-long career, the star has sold over 300 million records - something which is definitely worth celebrating.
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To commemorate his 75th birthday and illustrious career, BBC Two will be showing two programmes on Saturday night, March 26, about Elton. Kicking off at 8:35pm, the first instalment of the festivities will be 'Elton John at the BBC'.
The first show will feature a selection of interviews, news clips, and archive BBC session performances from throughout Elton's amazing career. It will also include many of his biggest hits, including his first solo concert at the BBC in 1970, to his 1980s and 90s Top of the Pops performances, right through to his 2016 Hyde Park performance for Radio 2.
At 9:35pm, the hour-long show will be followed up by The Making of Elton John: Madman Across the Water. Telling the tale of the Middlesex native's formative years, the programme will shed light on Elton's childhood, his break in the British music business and his rise to stardom on both sides of the Atlantic.
A number of interviews with the star himself will be shown during the hour long programme, which was first aired back in 2010. Some of Elton's colleagues and collaborators will also be sharing fond memories of working with him over the years, including lyricist Bernie Taupin and Leon Russell, with whom Elton worked on 2010 album The Union.
Last year, Elton celebrated his 74th birthday with his husband David and their two sons, Elijah and Zachary, at home. Sharing a snap of himself cutting into a mouth-watering berry-topped cake on Instagram last year, Elton said: "Having the best birthday ever with my 3 wonderful boys. What could be better??"
David posted a photo of Elton in a heavily-sequinned jacket on his birthday last year, and said: "Look who decided to dress down on their birthday....? Happy birthday to my extraordinary husband @eltonjohn.
"I love sharing my life with you. I love working with you. I love parenting with you. You are my one and only. Love, David xoxo."
Elton is currently on his final tour - Farewell Yellow Brick Road - in America. The Rocketman himself will be performing across the UK and Europe this summer, and even has a couple of dates at Ashton Gate.
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