Happy Accidents #011 - Elton and Bernie

Welcome to the HAPPY ACCIDENTS newsletter!

Some of you have sent me some pretty cool stories about how you and your business partner accidentally met and started a business. So in the same vain, I thought you'd love hearing about this famous partnership that came about by a Happy Accident. Enjoy!

Let’s set the scene, shall we? 

It all started when a pair of strangers both separately answered an ad in the back of a music industry magazine looking for songwriters.

The year was 1967, The ad was placed by Liberty Records, a record label looking for new talent.

One of those strangers went by the name of Reginald Kenneth Dwight. The other, Bernard John Taupin.

Reginald and Bernard had never met each other before, but the record company saw something special in their combination.

They were introduced to each other through Liberty Records and began working together, but there was one problem: Reginald couldn't write lyrics. Bernard, on the other hand, was a gifted wordsmith but couldn't write music.

Despite this, the two of them hit it off and began working on songs together.

One day, while Reginald was flipping through Bernard's notebook, he came across the lyrics to something called "Your Song."

He sat down at the piano and began playing a melody that perfectly matched the lyrics. The rest, as they say, is history.

Reginald soon changed his name to Elton John.

Bernard shortened his to Bernie.

The song became a huge hit, and Elton and Bernie continued to collaborate on numerous other hits, including "Tiny Dancer," "Rocket Man," and "Bennie and the Jets." Their partnership has lasted for over 50 years, making them one of the most successful songwriting duos in history.

It was a Happy Accident that Elton and Bernie both answered the same ad and were thrown together by Liberty Records.

They might never have met each other otherwise, and we might never have been blessed with the incredible music they've created together.

Some fun facts:

• Taupin wrote the lyrics to "Rocket Man" on a notepad while driving through the California desert.

• "Tiny Dancer" was written about Taupin's first wife and is now one of John's most iconic songs.

• Elton John has sold over 300 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

• John and Taupin have collaborated on over 30 studio albums, making them one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in music history.

The lessons here:

• Collaboration is key: Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s partnership shows that collaboration can lead to great things. They were able to create some of the greatest songs of all time by combining their talents and working together.

• Taking risks pays off: When they first met, Elton John was just starting out and Bernie Taupin was a struggling songwriter. However, they took a chance on each other and it paid off.

• Trust your instincts: Elton John and Bernie Taupin both had a strong sense of their own musical vision, and they trusted that vision. This allowed them to create music that was true to themselves, rather than trying to fit into a certain mold.

• Embrace your unique voice: Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s music was unique and stood out from the crowd. By embracing their unique voice, they were able to create music that resonated with audiences and stood the test of time.

YOUR Happy Accidents

Ever felt like the world is sending you signs to keep you away from things you don’t align with, and then fall straight into your passion? That’s exactly what happened to Yuval Ackerman. Listen to her awesome Happy Accident story where she shares how her mandatory army service as a journalist led her to starting her own ethical email marketing business almost a decade later.

Or this one from Dave Won about how he took a throw away idea and turned it into a thriving business. Happy Accidents are everywhere!

Do you have your own Happy Accident story? Some fortunate coincidence that led to a lucky break or cool discovery? I'd love to hear it? Send it to me here. It might just get featured in a future Happy Accidents edition!

Happy Accidents is brought to you by Dennis Geelen

Author of the best selling book, The Accidental Solopreneur