Inside Elton John's Rise to Stardom, as Told in 'Rocketman'

"Rocketman" chronicles Elton John's rise to fame.

Before Elton John there was ... Reginald Kenneth Dwight. 

Reginald, or Reggie, was not as catchy for a rising pop star, so the man who became known as Elton John legally changed it in January 1972.

It's just one of the moments captured in "Rocketman," the biopic out Friday chronicling John's rise to fame and all the bumps in the road along the way. InsideEdition.com spoke to music expert Matt Pinfield to get the real story of Elton John.

"Elton's done things differently always because he would take the lyrics and create songs and melodies around them. I think he's an incredible talent," Pinfield said. "He's one of the most talented people of our era, the last century really."

Was John actually an addict? Did he really try to commit suicide? Check out the video above for more. 

"Rocketman" opens in theaters Friday. 

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