Elton John before he was famous

He passed a hat round pubs. Then a new name.

The nobody years

1947 Born in Pinner, Middlesex
In 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, a boy is born and named Reginald Kenneth Dwight. It's an ordinary suburban street on the edge of London, and nobody there is thinking about pianos yet.
Was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, Middlesex. Source
1951 Playing piano by ear, age four
By four years old, he's already at the family piano, working out tunes by ear. No sheet music, no instruction — just fingers finding notes that already make sense to him.
Was playing the family piano by ear at the age of four. Source
1958 Royal Academy junior place, age 11
At eleven he wins a junior place at the Royal Academy of Music. While other kids have their Saturdays free, he's taking the train into central London for lessons.
Won a junior place at the Royal Academy of Music at eleven, attending on Saturdays. Source
1962 Pub pianist, tips in a hat
At fifteen he's playing piano in the Northwood Hills Hotel pub, night after night. When the set ends, he passes a hat round the tables for tips.
Played piano in the Northwood Hills Hotel pub, passing a hat round for tips. Source
1962 Organ player in Bluesology
The same year, he joins a band called Bluesology on organ. He's the man behind the keyboard, backing other people's names on the poster.
Joined the band Bluesology, playing organ behind other people's names. Source
1965 Errand boy for music publisher
In 1965 he leaves school before sitting his final exams. He takes a job as an errand boy for a music publisher, carrying packages around London for a wage.
Left school before his final exams and worked as an errand boy for a music publisher. Source
1965 Backing touring American soul acts
Bluesology find steady work as the backing band for touring American soul acts. He learns his trade in the shadows — playing someone else's songs, in someone else's spotlight.
Bluesology became the backing band for touring American soul acts. Source
1966 Cabaret circuit with Baldry
All through 1966 he's on the English cabaret circuit, backing Long John Baldry. It's endless nights of small stages, dressing rooms and vans between towns.
Spent 1966 backing Long John Baldry on the English cabaret circuit. Source
1967 Failed Liberty Records audition
He auditions at Liberty Records — and fails. On his way out he's handed a packet of lyrics written by a stranger he's never met.
Failed an audition at Liberty Records, and was handed a packet of a stranger's lyrics. Source
1967 New name from two bandmates
He decides Reginald Dwight isn't the name for a stage. So he borrows from two men he's played beside: saxophonist Elton Dean and Long John Baldry.
Took a new name from two bandmates: saxophonist Elton Dean and Long John Baldry. Source
1968 Staff songwriter, no hit
For the next two years he's a staff songwriter at a publisher, turning out song after song. He's writing every day — and none of them becomes a hit of his own.
Wrote songs on staff at a publisher for two years without a hit of his own. Source