Question 1

True or false: Elton John wrote 'Candle in the Wind' specifically for Princess Diana's funeral.

Accepted Answer

False. He originally wrote and recorded 'Candle in the Wind' in 1973 about Marilyn Monroe. He later rewrote the lyrics for Princess Diana's funeral in 1997, creating the famous version.

Question 2

True or false: Elton John has performed at every Glastonbury Festival since 1970.

Accepted Answer

False. While Elton John headlined Glastonbury in 2023 (his final UK show), he did not perform at every festival. He notably skipped many years and only appeared a handful of times total, debuting in 1984.

Question 3

True or false: Elton John holds the record for the best-selling physical single of all time.

Accepted Answer

False. The best-selling physical single of all time is Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' (1942), with over 50 million copies sold. Elton John's 'Candle in the Wind 1997' sold about 33 million.

Question 4

True or false: Elton John's birth name is Reginald Kenneth Dwight.

Accepted Answer

True. He was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947 and legally changed his name to Elton John in 1972, taking 'Elton' from a bandmate and 'John' from Long John Baldry.

Question 5

True or false: Elton John has never performed at the White House.

Accepted Answer

False. Elton John has performed at the White House multiple times, including for President Bill Clinton at a 1998 state dinner and for President Barack Obama in 2016 when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Question 6

True or false: Elton John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his services to music and charity.

Accepted Answer

True. Elton John received a knighthood in 1998. The citation was for services to music and charitable services, notably his work with the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Question 7

True or false: Elton John's first US number-one hit was 'Your Song.'

Accepted Answer

False. 'Your Song' peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. His first US number-one was 'Crocodile Rock' in 1973.

Question 8

True or false: Elton John's song 'Rocket Man' was inspired by a short story by Ray Bradbury.

Accepted Answer

True. Bernie Taupin, Elton John's lyricist, based the lyrics on Ray Bradbury's 1951 short story 'The Rocket Man.'

Elton John Trivia Questions