50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses

1/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John is a musical icon, sure. But it's not just the music that launched the singer and songwriter into the cultural consciousness. John's over-the-top persona-most notably, his unapologetically wild fashion sense-is as much part of his legacy as songs like "Tiny Dancer" and "Benny and the Jets." And now that Rocketman has finally hit theaters, we're taking a closer look at one of the most important components of John's signature look: his sunglasses. They're bold, bright, brash, and they've been there since the beginning.
From the start of his career straight through to today, here's a look at a half-century's worth of Elton John's out-there eyewear. Enjoy.
2/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
In London, England, in 1970.
3/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Backstage at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London, England, in 1971.
4/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John performs at Portsmouth Guildhall, on August 26, 1972.
5/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
At the Hammersmith Odeon in December of 1973.
6/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Onstage, wearing a giant fuzzy hat, circa 1974.
7/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John performs at an open-air concert in Watford, May 1974.
8/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Onstage at the piano, circa 1975.
9/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Posing for a portrait wearing a shiny red jacket and matching sunglasses, circa 1975.
10/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 6915 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, on October 23, 1975. He is wearing a suit emblazoned with the names of stars, including his own.
11/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
John holds a press conference to announce a concert tour in 1976.
12/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
John performs live at Madison Square Garden during his "Louder Than Concorde" tour on August 10, 1976.
13/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Out on the town, circa 1977.
14/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Onstage, circa 1977.
15/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
In a beret and sunglasses in 1978.
16/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John performs on a tour of the former Soviet Union in May of 1979. John's concerts were the first by a western rock star in the Eastern Bloc.
17/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John at the Le Dome Restaurant in Hollywood, California, on February 22, 1980.
18/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Leaving his hotel in Paris in 1981.
19/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Performing in the U.S. in September of 1981.
20/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
At a Cartier even in El Kantaoui in Tunisia on March 31, 1983 . John was overwhelmed when the French brand offered him a pair of gold-plated sunglasses, which he isn't wearing in this photo.
21/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Wearing a black-and-white tuxedo, sunglasses, and a boater hat in 1984.
22/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
George Michael and Elton John at Live Aid on July 13, 1985 in London, England.
23/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Performing at the Pine Knob Music Theater, on August 17, 1986, in Clarkston, Michigan.
24/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Onstage at a charity gala in aid of the Prince's Trust, at Wembley Stadium, London, on June 5, 1987.
25/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
In concert circa 1988 in New York City.
26/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
In concert again, this time circa 1989 in an unknown location.
27/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
At the Ritz in Paris, December 5, 1990.
28/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
With Sylvester Stallone in 1991.
29/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John performs at the Oakland Coliseum on October 30, 1992, in Oakland, California.
30/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
With Linda Evangelista in Paris at the Versace couture show on July 17, 1993.
31/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John and Bernie Taupin attend the 1994 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York City.
32/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John performs at Shoreline Amphitheatre on September 15, 1995, in Mountain View, California.
33/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
With Demi Moore at the Andre Agassi Grand Slam For Children, 1996.
34/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Presenting at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1997 in New York.
35/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John performs in Düsseldorf, Germany, on August 17, 1997.
36/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Onstage during the opening concert of his German tour at Stuttgart Schleyer Hall, on November 10, 1998.
37/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
At the premiere of Notting Hill in 1999.
38/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Sir Elton John performs live at Woburn Abbey, near Milton Keynes, England, May 27, 2000 on the first night of his solo UK tour.
39/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John Hosts "The Concert...20 Years with AIDS" to benefit APLA in Universal City, California, in 2001.
40/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Performing at the Seventh Annual Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation's Grand Slam for Children benefit concert on September 28, 2002 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
41/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
At the 11th annual Life Ball charity ball in Vienna, Austria, during which he received for money for his Elton John Aids Foundation, on May 24, 2003.
42/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Honoree Sir Elton John arrives at the 27th Annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts December 5, 2004 in Washington, DC.
43/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
At the Chopard Party at the Carlton Hotel during the 58th International Cannes Film Festival May 15, 2005 in Cannes, France.
44/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
In concert at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on November 29, 2006.
45/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
At the "Foxtel Is Football" party in honor of David Beckham at Cafe Sydney on November 26, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.
46/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Attending the Cystic Fibrosis Charity Event at the Dorchester Hotel on January 31, 2008 in London, England.
47/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
In Saint-Tropez, France, on August 6, 2009.
48/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Leaving BBC Radio 2 on November 25, 2010 in London, England.
49/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Elton John performs at the Lanxess-Arena on June 19, 2011 in Cologne, Germany.
50/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
At the 20th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party on February 26, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California.
51/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Attending the after party for the 2012 Concert for the Rainforest Fund at The Pierre Hotel on April 3, 2012 in New York City.
52/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Attending the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 12th Annual "An Enduring Vision" Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street on October 15, 2013 in New York City.
53/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
At the Battersea Power Station Annual Party on April 30, 2014 in London, England.
54/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Sir Elton John attends Elton John AIDS Foundation's 14th Annual "An Enduring Vision" Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street on November 2, 2015 in New York City.
55/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Attending the 24th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing party on February 28, 2016 in West Hollywood, California.
56/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Attending the gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Elton John AIDS foundation in New York City on November 7, 2017.
57/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
On the red carpet of the 60th annual Grammy Awards in New York City on January 28, 2018.
58/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Sir Elton John attends the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.
59/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
At the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California.
60/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Onstage at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2019 in New York City.
61/61
50 Years of Elton John's Fabulously Over-the-Top Sunglasses
Sir Elton John and Taron Egerton attend the photocall for Rocketman during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2019 in Cannes, France.