The philanthropy and musical history of Sir Elton John Sir Elton John has explained to Andrew Marr why he paid for a classical pipe organ to be installed at the Royal Academy of Music. Before becoming a famous rock-and-roll star, Sir Elton trained on Saturday mornings at the Academy as a classical organist aged 11. With the recent release of his album, The Diving Board, Sir Elton spoke of his rise from a struggling pop musician to a multi-million-selling stadium filler, gay icon and family man.