Despite Elton John having one of the most mundane names in the world, is is actually a stage name, because he hates the one he was born with.
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You would think someone as camp and flamboyant as Elton John would have chosen a slightly more extravagant stage name. However, that's what he went for, deciding that Reginald Kenneth Dwight just wouldn't cut it on stage. I can kind of see where he is coming from, too.
During his interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Elton John reveals that he hates his former birth name. "Who the hell calls their — a little baby; a little baby? 'Reginald, oh Reginald," he asks. And he's right. Some names are just not for babies. Like Darren, or Kevin. What baby looks like a Kevin for god's sake.
However, Stephen Colbert, the simpering, obsequious, talk show host, is, as ever, as inoffensive as possible. He says Elton John's birth name is "a lovely name," to which Elton John responds "It's a s - - t name." They agree to disagree.
Some Context To Elton Johns Original Name
As he pointed out, who calls a baby Reginald, even back in 1940s England? Well, it turns out it was inherited, as a homage, as so many outdated names often are. "I was named after my mum's brother because she wanted to call me Raymond, but my father disagreed so they had a huge argument — which wasn't unusual — and I became Reginald and I hated it." So, rather than the true homage he was supposed to be, he was a half-arsed amalgamation.
He decided to change his name in 1972 to Elton Hercules John, taking inspiration from two of his bandmates. He was in the group Bluesology and decided to use the name, Elton, from Elton Dean, the saxophonist. "Elton! There's not many Eltons in the world, that's pretty unusual," he said, looking back.
He then took John, from the Bluesology lead singer Long John Baldry, and Hercules from the horse in Steptoe and Son. It's a weird mix that old Elton John used to choose his name, but it makes a little more sense. It's all in honor of special people in his musical life. So, although it's not the most exciting, at least it means a lot to him. The horse bit is a little odd.
