The legendary vintage sunglasses collection of Elton John

THE EARLY YEARS

When you hear someone mention the name Elton John your mind instantly conjures up an image of "the rocket man" flamboyantly bespectacled sitting at his piano crooning his heart out. The amazing story of transformation from nervous 13-year-old Reginald Dwight to arguably the most famous wearer of spectacles of all time is intrinsically linked with eyewear. Fascinated by Buddy Holly and his mixing of gospel and rhythm and blues as a youngster, Elton followed his idol in eyewear sporting a classic horn-rimmed frame as a teen. Unfortunately for the musical world Buddy Holly died in a plane crash at the tender age of 22 but his legacy was continued by so many artists of the 60s and 70s who followed the road paved by this pioneer.

THE FLAMBOYANT EYEWEAR ERA OF THE 1970s

It may have just been a perfect coincidence but the fact that Elton came to the world's attention in the 1970s happily coincided with an awakening in the design of eyewear across Europe and the US. As designers who grew up in the liberal era of the post-war years began to take the reigns at eyewear brands and launch new brands of their own Elton was in his element supporting those whose pushed the envelope in the scope of what eyewear was meant to be about. Elton was a true pioneer in supporting niche and outlandish eyewear designs that complemented his legendary theatrical stage shows. No doubt just as Buddy Holly gave the young Reginald the confidence to proudly wear a pair of specs, Elton is the trailblazer that allows us all to revel in the fun side of our vintage glasses and sunglasses collections. Whether it be the Silhouette futuras, Alain Mikli plumes or classic Anglo American frames, Elton's eyewear always seems to be the primary consideration and the piece de resistance to any outfit.

Elton John on stage in vintage sunglasses

START A COLLECTION OF VINTAGE EYEWEAR LIKE ELTON'S

Want to get your hands on an authentic pair of vintage frames actually worn by Elton himself? Well unless you have very deep pockets then you might be saving for quite a while. When Elton auctioned a small selection of his legendary frames for the Elton John foundation charity a pair of battery-operated ELTON stage glasses sold for a staggering $16,830! For Elton even to wear a frame can often be enough to get it placed on public display like these vintage Alain Mikli asymmetrical sunglasses in the V&A museum in Liverpool. However there is no need to despair many of the frames that Elton counts as a part of his ridiculously extensive collection can be purchased directly from Ed and Sarna Vintage, OK they haven't been touched the skin of a rock legend but you never know these might just inspire you to write a couple of multi-platinum selling albums like the man himself!

Ultra Reckless Vintage Sunglasses Ultra Reckless Vintage 1980s Sunglasses

Anglo American 1980s La Scala Vintage Frame

ELTON, WE SALUTE YOU

Whilst Elton has toned down his look in general as he marks his 71st year in 2018 his taste in eyewear is still on the funky side, as illustrated with his outfit at the royal wedding earlier this year. A man who famously doesn't own a mobile phone but happily still counts thousands of vintage frames among his possessions is someone to salute in our eyes. So here's to you Elton John and all the groundbreaking you have provided for the world to go out and express themselves with eyewear! You more than most have made it a choice which means more than just a functional necessity but an extension of our personalities.