Entertainment Music It's Sir Elton John to You: Take a Look Back at the Icon's Most Rock Star Throwbacks There will never be another Elton John, an artist who has had an incomparable career spanning 50 years and counting By Diane J. Cho Diane J. Cho Diane J. Cho is the former features editor of PEOPLE, covering news, features, human interest and more. She left PEOPLE in 2022 People Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 25, 2024 09:25AM EDT Close Elton John. Photo: David Redfern/Redferns No one takes a photo like Sir Elton John. In his 50-plus-year career, the rocker has traveled the globe, performing to sold-out mega-crowds and rubbing elbows with some of the other biggest names in entertainment. Oh, and did we mention he's an EGOT now, too? As he celebrates his 77th birthday, look back on some of Elton John's most epic throwback photos, like the one above, when he smashed his performance at the famed Hammersmith Odeon in London back in his early days. 01 of 18 Star Power Elton John. Steve Morley/Redferns The late John Lennon makes a surprise appearance at the star's Madison Square Garden show in November 1974 in New York City. 02 of 18 Big Kiss Elton John. Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Front and center, the legend poses with his tongue out with Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanleythe from the rock band Kiss in 1977 in L.A. 03 of 18 Flying High Elton John. Chris Walter/WireImage No one can out-perform the king. John gives his fans a spectacular show — with piano handstands included — like this one from 1974. 04 of 18 No New Friends Elton John. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty The icon gathers with his iconic friends — Cher, Al Wilson and Natalie Cole — at a Wings concert at the Forum in Inglewood, California, in June 1976. 05 of 18 Style Maker Elton John. Victor Crawshaw/Mirrorpix/Getty Known for his fearless fashion, the star set trends with unique and unforgettable pieces. In this shot from 1973, John is feeling 8-in. platform shoes and his signature round glasses. 06 of 18 Fan Favorite Elton John. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty John is seen here performing "Pinball Wizard" in The Who's rock opera movie Tommy, which was released in the U.K. on March 26, 1975. 07 of 18 Hollywood Legend Elton John. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty In a key lime green suit adorned with gold stars, John proudly poses with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 23, 1965, in L.A. 08 of 18 Famous Friends Elton John. Bobby Bank/WireImage Friend Tina Turner supports John at the Tommy movie press conference at the Plaza Hotel on March 18, 1975, in N.Y.C. 09 of 18 One and Only Elton John. SSPL/Getty Nothing is cooler than this early still of the icon completely unbothered, while listening to music in sparkly glasses and platform boots. 10 of 18 Rock Star Royals Elton John. Michael Putland/Getty Years before John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998, the singer hangs out with Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon backstage at a benefit concert at the Shaw Theatre in London in 1972. 11 of 18 Guest Stars Elton John. Bettmann/Getty Bette Midler and John, dressed in elaborate costumes, hug on the set of the Cher show on CBS. 12 of 18 Anything But Ordinary Elton John. Don Preston/The Boston Globe via Getty Boston is blessed with John and his one-of-a-kind costume choices at the Boston Garden in 1974. 13 of 18 Sports Soulmates Elton John. PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty The lifelong tennis fan poses with good friend and tennis legend Billie Jean King at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in N.Y.C. in 1975. 14 of 18 Awards Galore Elton John. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Former Beatles rocker Paul McCartney and then-wife Linda show off their awards from the 1978 Capital Radio Music Awards at Grosvenor House in London. 15 of 18 Circle of Friends Elton John. Kent Gavin/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty John, Rod Stewart and his then-wife Alana, and Mark Gero support Liza Minnelli's opening night show in London at the White Elephant in 1983. 16 of 18 Friends Forever Elton John. Bauer-Griffin/Getty The late George Michael and the singer get together at Live Aid on July 13, 1985, in London. 17 of 18 Shine Bright Elton John. Andre Csillag/Shutterstock John wears a dazzling custom Dodgers uniform to perform for a sea of fans at Elton John in concert at Dodgers Stadium in 1975 in L.A. 18 of 18 You Could Never Elton John. Dave Hogan/Getty John and husband David Furnish shut the star's 40th birthday party down with incredible costumes and even more brilliant wigs.