Elton John timeline

Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 | 8:43 a.m.

1947: March 25, Reginald Kenneth Dwight born in Pinner, England.

1962: Signs with Dick James Music, a publisher who also signed John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles.

1968: Begins collaborating with songwriter Bernie Taupin.

1969: Releases his first LP, "Empty Sky."

1976: Reveals homosexuality.

1977: Revelation of his homosexuality hurts record sales. The heavy toll of live performances and record making also takes its toll on John's stamina and he an-nounces his retirement from live performances.

1978: Returns to performing live.

1984: Marries Renate Blauel, even though he knew it contradicted his sexuality. The marriage lasts for four years.

1986: Has throat surgery after losing voice on tour in Australia.

1987: Abandons his excessive and flamboyant stage style with an auction of more than 2,000 items that brings in $20 million. He would later admit that the last two years of the '80s were the worst periods in his life with mental and physical deterioration.

1989: Throughout the late '70s and '80s, John had bouts with cocaine and alcohol abuse and addiction. His friendship with AIDS victim Ryan White contributed to his change of lifestyle. After Ryan succumbed to effects of AIDS, John is persuaded to combat his drug abuse and bulimia.

1990: Checks into a Chicago rehabilitation center for alcohol and substance abuse and bulimia.

1991: Establishes the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

1997: Loses two close friends: clothing designer Gianni Versace, who was murdered, and Princess Diana, who died in a car crash.

His re-release of "Candle in the Wind," in honor of the princess, becomes the top-selling single of the year with 8.1 million records sold.

1998: "Candle In The Wind 1997" officially declared the biggest-selling single in the world. Almost 32 million copies of the single distributed around the world as of Oct. 21, 1997. The previous best-selling single was Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," which sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

1998: Knighted

2003: Strikes a three-year deal to perform at Caesars Palace.

2004: Appears on the soundtrack for "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy."