[press release]
Royal Mail honours Elton John with a set of 12 Special Stamps

Royal Mail issued September 3rd a set of 12 Special Stamps to celebrate one of the UK’s most influential music artists and cultural figures, Elton John. With more than 300 million record sales, he is one of the most successful music stars of all time.

This year sees the 50th anniversary of his first album and, as he continues his final tour, Farewell Yellow Brick Road, Elton becomes only the second individual music artist to have a dedicated stamp issue.

Eight stamps showcase some of Elton’s most admired and iconic albums: Honky Chateau; Goodbye Yellow Brick Road; Caribou; Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy; Sleeping With The Past; The One; Made In England and Songs From The West Coast. The arc of the vinyl record appears from the right-hand side of each album cover.

Completing the set, four stamps, presented in a Miniature Sheet, show Elton in action performing live across five decades: Hammersmith Odeon, London, 1973; Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, 1975; Diamond Jubilee Concert, Buckingham Palace, London, 2012 and Madison Square Garden, New York, 2018.

A global superstar, Elton John is one of the most successful recording artists of all time and has, over his 50-year career, achieved one diamond, 38 platinum or multi-platinum and 26 gold albums. He has been awarded 13 Ivor Novellos, five Grammys and the Grammy Legend Award, five BRITS, including the first BRITS Icon Award, an Academy Award, a Tony Award and a Golden Globe.

He wrote the award-winning and much acclaimed soundtracks and stage music for The Lion King and Billy Elliot.

He has been deeply influential to successive generations of songwriters. His work has been covered by hundreds of artists in different genres, from Ed Sheeran to Aretha Franklin to Lady Ga Ga.

Elton is a noted philanthropist. He founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, which has raised more than $450 million globally to combat stigma, prevent infections, provide treatment and services, and motivate governments to end AIDS.

In recognition of his contribution to music and for his charity work he was knighted in 1998, having been awarded a CBE two years previously.

Elton John, said: “To say I was surprised when Royal Mail got in touch, is an understatement. Never did I think I’d appear on a stamp! It’s wonderful, a great honour.”

Philip Parker, Royal Mail, said: “Elton is one of the most successful British solo artists of all time. He has recorded some of the best-known songs in pop history such as Candle in the Wind and Rocket Man. Our stamps issued today showcase some of his most iconic albums, and celebrate his fantastic musical contribution.”

The stamps and a range of unique collectible products including frames and prints are available from www.royalmail.com/eltonjohn

The only other music artists to have been honoured with a dedicated Royal Mail stamp issue are: The Beatles (2010); Pink Floyd (2015) and David Bowie (2017).

The Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour is a three-year, final world tour featuring more than 300 concerts. Elton will play in the UK in November and December 2020.

Elton John’s autobiography, Me is published on 15th October 2019, and Rocketman: The Movie is out now.

Elton John
Elton’s career achievements to date are unsurpassed in their breadth and longevity. Elton is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with one diamond, 38 platinum or multi-platinum, and 26 gold albums, over 50 Top 40 hits, and he has sold more than 300 million records worldwide. He holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, “Candle in the Wind 1997”, which sold over 33 million copies. Diamonds the Ultimate Greatest Hits album, reached the Top 5 of the UK album charts on its release in November 2017, becoming Elton’s 40th UK Top 40 album in the process. This release celebrated 50 years of his song writing partnership with Bernie Taupin. August 2018 saw Elton named as the most successful male solo artist in Billboard Hot 100 chart history, having logged 67 entries, including nine No. 1s and 27 Top 10s.

Elton announced the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at New York’s Gotham Hall in January 2018. Encompassing 5 continents, and over 350 dates, this 3-year-long tour started in September 2018 and marks his retirement from touring after more than 50 years on the road. In May 2019 it was named Billboard’s Top Rock Tour. To date, Elton has delivered more than 4,000 performances in more than 80 countries since launching his first tour in 1970. 2019 has already seen the release of ‘Rocketman’, a fantasy musical motion picture of his life and his autobiography Me will be published later in the year.

Among the many awards and honours bestowed upon him are six GRAMMYs, including a GRAMMY Legend award, a Tony and an Oscar, a Best British Male Artist BRIT Award, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Kennedy Center Honor, Legend of Live Award, 13 Ivor Novello Awards between 1973 and 2001and a knighthood from HM Queen Elizabeth II for “services to music and charitable services.”

In 1992, Elton established the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which today is one of the leading non-profit HIV/AIDS organizations and has raised over $450 million to date in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. In June 2019 President Emmanuel Macron presented Elton the Légion d/honneur, France’s highest award, for his lifetime contribution to the arts and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The first day covers:more products: https://shop.royalmail.com/special-stamp-issues/elton-john