WHEN Elton John appeared alongside Bob Geldof announcing Live 8 he said he had become older, sober, wiser and cleaner since Live Aid.

Twenty years ago, the wigged wild one was a fast-drinking drug fiend who more than lived up to his Rocketman hit.

Three years further back, Elton John played his last show in Cardiff, at St David's Hall, which was part of his 'solo evening with' concert series. Next week he's back again, this time for a show in Cardiff International Arena on Tuesday, June 14.

Elton John will perform over two hours of hits from an incredible back catalogue spanning over three decades, including classic hits such as Your Song, Bitch is Back, Are You Ready For Love, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me and I Want Love, as well as tracks from his new album Peachtree Road.

In total, has sold over 220 million records and performed to countless millions; this tour alone includes over a dozen stadium shows confirmed.

And he has just been inducted as an Academy Fellow by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, it is clear what an influence Elton has been during his career, and how many of his fellow artists are in awe of his work.

In the early 1970s, he was initially pegged as a singer-songwriter type but he soon revealed his true versatility dipping into soul, disco and country as well as classic pop balladry and even progressive rock.

Perhaps due to his flamboyance, he was able to sustain at least one top 40 single every year from 1970 to 1996 with the help of lyricist Bernie Taupin with whom he was always fighting.

Elton John was born in 1947, christened Reginald Kenneth Dwight, started playing the piano aged 11, won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at which, after studying for six years, he left with the intention of breaking into the music business.

His first band was called Bluesology and he divided his time in 1961 between playing with them and giving solo performances at a local hotel. In 1969 came Elton John's first solo album, Empty Sky which was critically acclaimed but a commercial failure.

However, in 1970 he and Bernie Taupin came back with Your Song which climbed up the US chart and got the duo on the way to mega-stardom.

Between 1972 and 1976, their hit-making machine was virtually unstoppable and it is this period of Elton John's career for which he will be best remembered.

For tickets and information call 029 2022 4488.