It is no longer unusual for a pop artist to have a career which spans decades, many great performer's who started out in the sixties and seventies still have that magnetic draw that fills stadiums today, while others who have mastered the art of reinvention manage to attract new, young fans despite the passing of years.

Elton John the truth of his eternal success lies somewhere else. Yes, he still has the ability to fill arenas, singing songs from his classic period in the seventies, and yes, his image has changed during the past four decades. But from "Your Song" to "Circle Of Life" Elton's appeal runs fr deeper and is a reflection of a multi-faceted and polished talent that emerged at a very young age.

From humble beginnings, Elton's precocious talent received a classical training and despite his very ordinary appearance, Elton created an outrageous and energetic stage persona which made him one of the most successful live artists of the seventies. His partnership with Bernie Taupin began with their writing music for other performers and the two went to become one of the twentieth century's most celebrated songwriting teams.

Although the early trappings of fame and success proved too much for Elton, leading to a temporary retirement, he recovered to take his talent in new directions. Elton and Bernie continued to record studio albums but Elton also began writing music for Disney movies and a number of stage musicals, winning awards along the way. He also embarked upon a personal crusade against the killer disease AIDS, establishing a charity foundation which could go on to raise millions.

Elton holds a number of impressive accolades:

• Five Grammys
• One Tony
• An Oscar
• The best selling single of all time
• Over 250 million records sold
• A place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and 
• A knighthood

The list is long and is a testament not only to Elton's tenacity and his prolific musical output, but also to his universal appeal and ability to emotionally connect through music.

The stunning photographs here chronicle all the periods of Elton's life, from the early years of his blossoming career, through the years of addiction, on to his eventful fulfillment, both professional and personal. They recreate the history of the often larger than life legend of Sir Elton John.