Sir Elton Hercules John is a British rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and actor. Since 1967, Sir Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin have become creative partners. So far the two have collaborated to complete more than 30 albums. In the forty years of Elton John's music career, he has sold more than 250 million records, making him one of the "most successful artists in history". His single "Candle in the Wind" has successfully sold 33 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling single in the history of the "Billboard Top 100 Singles Chart". In the music history of Sir Elton John, there are a total of more than 50 songs that have entered the TOP40 singles of major mainstream radio stations, including an album that has topped the charts in the United States for seven consecutive years. In the history of the "Billboard Top 100 Singles Chart", Sir Elton John has 56 songs in the top 40; 16 in the top 10; four runner-up singles and nine champion singles . He also won six Grammy trophies, four British Music Awards trophies, two Oscar trophies, one Golden Globe trophy and one Tony Award trophy. In 2004, "Rolling Stone" listed Sir Elton John as the 49th among the "100 Greatest Artists in History". Sir Elton John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and was awarded the Order of the Commander of the British Empire in 1996. In 1998, he was awarded the Royal Recognition by Queen Elizabeth II for his "outstanding contribution to music and charity".