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Elton John : Biography

In 1994, Elton collaborated with lyricist Tim Rice on songs for Disney's animated film, 'The Lion King'. One of the collaborations, 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight', won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, as well as the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. 1994 would also see Elton inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Elton's 1995 album 'Made In England' continued his comeback with the album peaking at number 3 on the UK charts and number 10 on the US charts with the album going platinum in the US.

Elton brought back some of his old associates, percussionist Ray Cooper, guitarist Davey Johnstone, and, orchestrator Paul Buckmaster, who gave the 'Elton John' album its distinctive sound 25 years earlier. Elton remained a musical jukebox: "Please" had a twangy guitar riff that sounds like the 1965's Searchers. Guest organist Paul Carrack brought a soulful Booker T.-like feel to "Man." "Believe", the album's first single, displays the influence of Elton's friend John Lennon. Bernie Taupin wrote mostly in short, simple, declarative sentences and gave his songs one-word titles ("House," "Cold," "Pain," etc.) His overall theme develops a positive conclusion with "Blessed" eventually triumphing over adversity ("Lies").

In 1995, Elton John was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, (an award given by the Queen for service to the community).

In 1997, the earlier hit, 'Candle In The Wind', originally donated to Marilyn Monore, would be altered by Bernie for the passing of Diana, Princess of Wales and Elton would perform it at her funeral in Westminster Abbey. 'Candle In The Wind 1997' would become the fastest selling single of all time and would gross over 30 million copies sold worldwide, yielding a profit of £55 million which Elton would donate to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. 'Candle In The Wind 1997' would go on to win Elton the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance as well.

In 1998, Elton would be knighted by HM Queen Elizabeth II on February 24, thus making his name, now, 'Sir' Elton John.

Despite the fact that Elton was fitted with a pacemaker in July of 1999, he would continue to record and tour extensively as well as honouring his multi-year contact to perform at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas (a show entitled, 'The Red Piano' is a multimedia concert featuring massive props and video montages created by David LaChapelle.

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