A Humane Activist
by Jackie Tri
Elton John is a huge activist in both the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgendered and prevention of HIV/AIDS community. On April 1, 2010 he joined Cyndi Lauper in her Give a Damn Campaign to raise awareness for the LGBT community. The point of the Give a Damn Campaign was to bring straight people together and to have them stand up with the LGBT community and stop the discrimination. The LGBT community plays a huge role in his life because he is bisexual. John’s contribution to the prevention of HIV stems from the loss of his two close friends. In 1986, Elton John recorded a single with three other artists like Stevie Wonder to record a single titled “That’s What Friends Are For” with all profits for the song going toward the American Foundation for AIDS Research. He later started the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992 as a charity to raise funds for programs dedicated to the prevention of HIV/AIDS as well as to provide services for those who are living or at risk of getting the disease. Every year John holds the White Tie & Tiara Ball to raise money for the foundation. In 2007, the ball raised 3.5 million Euros through auctions and donations alone. John also works in order to stop the discrimination of those who already have the disease. He is currently working on earning donations to help the students in Tanzania who are being stigmatized for having HIV. Elton John believes in a world where everyone is treated equally and no one would have to live in fear for being different from those around them. Sources: John, Elton. "MAKE THE FUTURE AIDS FREE." Elton John AIDS Foundation. Elton John, 02 Feb. 2012. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. <http://ejaf.org/> Elton John." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Dec. 2012. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John>. |
A World Renown Musician
by Vivian Huynh
Elton John is considered one of the biggest music icons of the 20th century. Along with his unique take on pop and rock music, he is known for his outrageous stage wear and customized glasses. His musical talent has earned him various awards, such as the Tony and Grammy Awards. John’s musical talent and interest stemmed at an early age. He taught himself to play the piano at the age of four and earned himself a prestigious music scholarship at eleven. John later left school to pursue a career in show business. He juggled time between his job with a music publishing company, his group Bluesology, and solo gigs. After responding to a songwriting ad for Liberty Records, he joined hands with lyricist Bernie Taupin. They became one of the greatest songwriting teams in pop history, creating many top hits. John’s relationship with Taupin is considered very interesting. Taupin would send his lyrics and John would compose tunes to fit the phrases. After years of suffering drug and substance abuse, John entered rehabilitation. When Elton John realized that he could use his musical abilities and status to raise awareness of social issues, he took the world by storm. He dedicated most of his music and songs towards HIV and AIDS prevention and discrimination. Elton John branched out in different locations by collaborating with several artists. Such artists are Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Wonder, Eminem, and John Lennon. He also worked with Tim Rice on the soundtrack of The Lion King, one of Disney’s most influential movies. Sources: ""Elton John." Rollingstone.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2012. <http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/elton-john/biography>. "Elton John Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. <http://www.biography.com/people/elton- john-9355335?page=1>. |
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