Happy Birthday to Sir Elton John, who is celebrating his 66th birthday today. Born in Middlesex, England in 1947, he was named Reginald Kenneth Dwight by his parents but started going by “Elton John” in the late 1960s in homage to Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean and Long John Baldry.

Since then, he has sold more than 250 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of all time. He has more than 50 Top 40 hits, including seven consecutive No. 1 US albums, 56 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, four No. 2 hits, and nine No. 1 hits.

He has won numerous awards, including 6 GRAMMY Awards and was ranked 49th on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list in 2004.

Elton John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1996, and received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for “services to music and charitable services” in 1998.

Currently, Elton is as busy as ever. He and his band are in the midst of a spring tour of the southern United States. His 30th studio album, The Diving Board, will be released this coming Fall.

Happy Birthday, Elton. Here’s to many more!