Elton John‘s first official year off from touring the world didn’t leave the Rocket Man any less busy, but he had to deal with some major ups and downs throughout 2024. Thankfully, there seemed to be more highs than lows — here’s a rundown.
The highs:
In January, Elton became the 19th entertainer to become an EGOT winner when his Disney+ special Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium won an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live). His tally now includes six Grammys, two Oscars, one Tony and one Emmy.
In February, Elton auctioned off the contents of his home in Atlanta for more than $20 million. In March, he hosted his annual Oscar Viewing Party and raised nearly $11 million for his AIDS Foundation.
Also in March, Elton and his songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, were honored with the prestigious Gershwin Prize for Popular Music. Among the acts paying tribute to them at the ceremony with live performances were Metallica, Joni Mitchell, Annie Lennox, Garth Brooks, Charlie Puth and Brandi Carlile.
In the fall, the documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, detailing his career and complicated personal life, premiered at multiple film festivals worldwide. A new song Elton and Bernie co-wrote for the project with Brandi Carlile and producer Andrew Watt, also called “Never Too Late,” won a Hollywood Music In Media Award for Best Song from a Documentary Film. It’s also eligible for Oscar consideration.
Elton’s new musical based on The Devil Wears Prada opened in London’s West End with Vanessa Williams starring as fearsome fashion editor Miranda Priestley; so far it appears to be doing well.
In December, Time named Elton its 2024 Icon of the Year.
The lows:
In November 2023, Elton told the crowed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony that he and Bernie had just completed a new album. In his end-of-year message to fans in December, Elton promised a new album would be released in 2024. In May, Bernie said, “Elton and I have an album coming out soon … it’s all written and recorded.” But the album never appeared, and Elton hinted it was because of a major medical issue he dealt with in 2024.
In early September, Elton told fans he was dealing with a “severe eye infection” that had left him with “only limited vision in one eye.” Elton told ABC News’ Robin Roberts in November, “I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye … and it’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see. And my left eye’s not the greatest.” Asked for an update on the album, Elton said, “I don’t know … going into the studio and recording, I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric, for start.”
Elton went on to say, “I can’t see anything. I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.”
Not long after that, Elton appeared at a charity performance of The Devil Wears Prada and told the audience, “Now I have lost my sight. I haven’t been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed listening to it.”
Meanwhile, Elton’s other musical, Tammy Faye — based on the life of the late televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker — opened on Broadway Nov. 14 but closed on Dec. 8 after just 29 regular performances. According to The New York Times, the show, which cost $25 million, won awards in London but was poorly received once it moved to Broadway. Indeed, The Times called it “strangely bland” and said the box office receipts were “disastrous.”
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