English music legend Sir Elton Hercules John turns 65 on Sunday, March 25!

The veteran musician, writer and composer is easily one of the most flamboyant entertainers in the industry and is also one of the most sucessful - the fact that he has sold over 250 million records in a 40-year career is proof enough of that.

If the sheer numbers of records sold does little to justify his success, consider that Sir John has won six Grammies, four Brits and one each of a Golden Globe, a Tony award and an Academy award. In 2004, he was voted 49 in Rolling Stones' list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. In 2008, Billboard magazine ranked him as the most successful male solo artist on "The Billboard Hot 100 Top All-Time Artists" (third overall, behind only The Beatles and Madonna).

One of his biggest and most popular (certainly the most sentimental moment in his career) was the 1997 single "Candle in the Wind", sung in tribute to his late friend, Diana, Princess of Wales, after her tragic death in an automobile accident.

On a personal front, the singer entered into a civil union with David Furnish, in 2005. He continues to be a champion, not only for LGBT causes, but also against AIDS. The singer founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation that works to eradicate the disease.

For all his services to the music industry and the British empire, Elton John was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE) and also received a knighthood from the Queen.

Happy Birthday Sir Elton John!

Sir Elton John
Legendary singer and songwriter Elton John has declared Madonna’s career “over”, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In an interview with Australia’s “Sunday Night” television program, John insulted the pop star, referring to her as a “c---“ and a “fairground stripper”. Madonna is currently on her “MDNA” tour, where she’s been the target of harsh criticism from critics and fans alike. Reuters
David Furnish and Elton John
The battle between Madonna and David Furnish, the husband of Elton John, continues with Furnish's recent sentiment that refuses to watch the Super Bowl 2012 halftime show from the former "Material Girl." Reuters
British singer Elton John
The singer has cancelled a string of shows after being taken to hospital with a respiratory infection Reuters
Elton John
The 64-year-old rock singer-songwriter came out as bisexual in 1976 in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine. After his divorce with Renate Blaudel in 1988, he told Rolling Stone he was "comfortable" being gay. In 1993, John started dating David Furnish. He and Furnish entered a civil partnership in Dec. 2005. The pair have a son together born via a surrogate mother. Reuters
Elton John
Elton John is the godfather of the children of David and Victoria Beckham. Reuters
AIDS Queen Elizabeth II