Saturday night’s alright for fashion
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Sir Elton John is “pretty much the most flamboyant rock star that has ever lived,” according to Rocketman costume designer Julian Day — and have we got the pictures to prove it. In honor of the new biopic’s release, starring Taron Egerton as the legendary singer-songwriter, here’s a brief history of John’s life in sparkles, in feathers, and in so many sunglasses. Check out how his singular style has evolved over the years in the photos ahead.
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In the ’60s…
John — still legally named Reginald Dwight at the time — was still just launching his career in the ’60s, and still finding his extravagant style. Pictured here in 1968, in one of his first publicity photos.
In the ’70s…
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John started to really find his extravagant look as his profile rapidly rose. Photographed here in 1970, in the same star-spangled shirt he wore when he made his U.S. debut in a legendary show at West Hollywood’s Troubadour — a scene (and a garment) recreated in Rocketman.
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In 1972
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Meeting Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon on Feb. 27, 1972
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Performing in 1973
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Performing in 1974
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Performing in May 1974
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Performing at Dodger Stadium in 1975
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Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 23, 1975
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Performing in the mid-’70s
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Performing on The Muppet Show in 1977
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Performing with Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show in 1977
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In the ’80s…
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It was the decadent decade, and John was all in. His performance-wear became more outrageous and more costume-y, like this State of Liberty ensemble, worn for a portrait session in New York City in 1980.
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Performing in 1982
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Performing in New York on Aug. 6, 1982
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Performing in London in December 1982
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Performing in London on Dec. 16, 1982
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Performing on Dec. 3, 1984
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Performing at Live Aid on Jul. 13, 1985
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Performing in Rotterdam on Apr. 23, 1986
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Performing in Bloomington, Minn., on Aug. 22, 1986
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Performing in Hoffman Estates, Ill., on Aug. 23, 1986
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In the ’90s…
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The ’90s brought a knighthood, an Oscar, and a new relationship for John — not to mention a whole new wardrobe of dazzling looks! Pictured here having a leather monochrome moment while performing in Paris in 1994.
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Performing with RuPaul in 1994
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Performing on Sept. 15, 1995
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Arriving at his 50th birthday party with David Furnish in 1997
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In the 2000s…
It was a brand-new millennium of stagewear for John, now in his 50s and typically favoring fabulously embellished suits, like the one pictured, worn performing in London on Jul. 9, 2000.
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Performing in New York City on Oct. 20, 2000
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With Whitney Houston at John’s annual Oscar party on Mar. 25, 2001
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Performing in Sydney on Nov. 29, 2006
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Arriving at a party with David Furnish on Dec. 17, 2006
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In the 2010s…
Sir Elton became a husband and a father in the 2010s, and his new life inspired him to launch his official farewell tour in 2018. (The end of the decade also brought along a certain film about his own life, which he also produced.) Amid all the change, however, the star’s fashion remained as dazzling as ever; pictured here, he performs at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on Jun. 4, 2012.
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Performing with Meryl Streep and Sting in New York City on Apr. 3, 2012
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Performing at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on Jun. 15, 2014
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On the red carpet at the Grammy Awards on Jan. 28, 2018
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Performing in New York City on Nov. 9, 2018
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With Taron Egerton at the Rocketman photocall at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019
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At the premiere of Rocketman at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019
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