Sir Elton John is “singing better than (he’s) ever done before”.
The music legend is still performing gigs despite stepping back from touring following the conclusion of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road shows in 2023 and feels that his vocals are in terrific shape, even though he has faced health problems like losing the sight in his right eye.
Speaking to Variety, Elton said: “I’ll have done 11 private shows by the end of the year, which I’ve never done in my life – some solo, some with the band. And it’s been fun, because I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to see the piano keys or the microphone.
“And I can see, because everything’s so close up. What I can’t see when I’m playing with the band is the band, which is a bit of a nightmare. I can’t see Nigel (Olsson), the drummer, so I have to have Davey (Johnstone, Elton’s lead guitarist) or somebody say, ‘OK, this is where it ends’, and make sure we’re in sync.”
The I’m Still Standing artist added: “But I tell you what, I’m singing better than I’ve ever done before, and I’m playing really well, and I’m enjoying it, and that is helping me a lot.
“Music has been my whole life and has given me so much and takes me on journeys that I never thought I would ever go on – and it’s still doing that. I just like doing the odd thing. It pays the rent very well, and it keeps me musical. I just can’t wait to go into the studio now and write some new songs and go from there.”
Elton, 78, is working on new material with his long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin and revealed that he is planning to bring out a more modern record following Who Believes in Angels? – his collaboration with Brandi Carlile which was released earlier this year.
The Sacrifice hitmaker said: “The album with Brandi, it’s a timeless record, but it’s not of its time. We just wanted to make a record that we loved, with great songs. That was a yesterday record, and it was fantastic. But there is a part of me that wants to do a much more commercial record and do more Bernie Taupin songs that are more of today than yesterday.”