Elliott was born David william Smith on September 21, 1960, in Milton, Ontario, Canada, the son of Pat Farrow, an office manager, and Arnold Smith, a heating and plumbing wholesale contractor. He was the second of three sons. During his teenaged years, he was part of a band, quitting Milton District High School in his final year to pursue his dream of becoming a rock star. However, at age 19, he realized this would not happen and returned to finish high school.