A Knight in Shining Spectacles

During the 1950’s in a small suburb of London, a toddler boy watched his Aunt play The Skater’s Waltz on their family piano. The child watched intently from his tiptoes, then he joined his aunt at the piano.

Climbing onto her lap, he stretched to reach the keys. Everyone in the room began laughing, until the boy’s tiny fingers starting flying.

With prodigy-like skill, he began to play The Skater’s Waltz. Reginald Dwight could play almost anything by ear as a child.

Growing up, Reggie escaped into music. He wanted to be like the rockstars on the covers of his mom’s vinyl collection— especially the most glamorous ones. But his father never let him dress like them. Reggie was a gentle boy; his father was not. 

Mr. Dwight traveled often as a member of The Royal Airforce, and Reggie preferred it that way.

Although he didn’t need glasses, Reggie wore any he pair could find. He thought they made him look like Buddy Holly. 

Every Friday, Reggie’s mother brought a new album home. One Friday night when he was 9 years old, Reggie admired the unfamiliar man with shiny black hair on his mother’s newest record shop purchase. 

The turntable needle hit the vinyl and a man his mother called ELVIS began singing Heartbreak Hotel.

Reggie was obsessed. Even his mother was happier. In that moment, she wasn’t sad, tired or angry. She just danced and danced.

They danced through the entire album together. It became one of the best memories Reggie ever had with his mother. 

Something changed in Reggie that night. He fell asleep and dreamed of a world where he could make people happy with music; to rest their hearts, even for just a few moments.

Although he couldn’t read music, Reggie was dedicated and had natural talent. By age 11, he was awarded a full scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Reggie studied there for 5 years before leaving to make a big noise in the world. 

Because of music, that anxious & closeted boy grew up to became proud and confident.

He fulfilled his dream of giving people rare moments of happiness through music, with Billboard hits second only to Elvis Presley in total.

Sir Elton John was knighted by the queen of England for his legendary contribution to music and ongoing charitable services.

He has been named the Top Male Solo Artist of All Time, Selling 300 million albums & 100 million singles worldwide.

Elton John makes his own kind of music. He is his own special song. Elton wears whatever makes him feel most like himself- like his collection of over 200,000 shades and glasses!

He has made a lasting impact on the world, using his star-studded platform for good. From founding an AIDS Foundation, to supporting first responders during the pandemic, Elton is another favorite Mover, Shaker Music Maker to be celebrated.

Wear Elton’s story with the Gentle Boys Collection tee — Young Elton.

“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.”

— SIR ELTON JOHN