Sir Elton John
London, England, U.K. and Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Singer, composer and musician
"I am thrilled to be involved with the Gay Games. For more than two decades the Gay Games have turned a well-deserved spotlight on athletic and cultural performances by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and their friends from around the world. Thousands of musicians have participated in the cultural festivals of the Gay Games. I'm proud of them and what they have accomplished at the Games and in their home communities. Along with the athletic participants, they challenge the stereotypes from which oppression grows and consequently bring the world closer together. The Gay Games also have always focused attention on matters of HIV and AIDS, and they continue to do so through events such as the International Rainbow Run. Many people living with HIV and AIDS have been full participants and some have even set world records. It's a wonderful event that encourages fitness and personal best for people of all ages and abilities."
At a glance: Sir Elton John is one of the world's most successful touring artists and one of the top-selling solo artists of all time with a career spanning more than 35 years ... He has sold close to a quarter of a billion records worldwide, with more than 100 U.S. Hot 100 chart singles, 12 multi-platinum, 23 platinum and 33 gold U.S. albums, and 29 consecutive U.K. Top 40 hits, earning 35 gold and 25 platinum albums ... He has received multiple Grammys including the Grammy Legend Award ... He collaborated with lyricist Tim Rice to create the soundtrack to the Walt Disney Pictures blockbuster "The Lion King," for which "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" won an Academy Award ... He was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1996 ... He released the biggest selling single of all time, "Candle in the Wind 1997," with more than 33,000,000 copies sold ... He received knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in February, 1998 ... The 2007 release of "Rocket Man - The Definitive Hits" coincided with his 60th birthday celebration when playing his 60th performance — a record in itself — at Madison Square Garden in New York ... He continues to tour widely and "The Red Piano" shows sell out at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas ... His latest musical, "Billy Elliott," is a hit in London's West End ...
During the last two decades Sir Elton has become a noted humanitarian, particularly for starting the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992 ... He has worked on behalf of programs for AIDS prevention, for elimination of prejudice and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-affected individuals, and for providing services to people living with or at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS ... Websites: Sir Elton John — www.eltonjohn.com; the Elton John AIDS Foundation — www.ejaf.org.
