Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Middlesex, southern England, the singer took on the name Elton because of his deep respect for saxophonist and jazz musician Elton Dean and John in deference to British blues singer Long John Baldry at the start of his musical career.

And can you spy Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in this pic? Yes, he's better known as the talk show host, Larry King.
Photograph: Sir Elton John (right) on the Larry King Show. Photograph: Rose M. Prouser/AFP/Getty Images