Despite his near-blindness, Elton John revealed on Tuesday (December 17th) that there will continue to be new music from him in the future.
“A musical future” – but not on stage
To promote the new Elton John documentary “Never Too Late,” the singer-songwriter was a guest on Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show.” The 77-year-old spoke, among other things, about his withdrawal from the live business – last year he gave his last tour with “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” – of course completely sold out. “It’s the most fantastic thing in the world […] “I left on a high – my voice was great, the piano playing was great, the band was great,” said the Brit.
Regarding the reasons for his departure from the stage, he explained: “There are other things I want to do in my life that are more important than touring.” Exactly, songwriting for example. In the same breath, Elton John assured his fans that he will “still make records” and “still have a musical future” while he focuses on his family life. “There will be more of you [Musik] get,” he said to the cameras on the late night show.
He’s still standing
“The fire never went out. And it will never run out because I’m always looking for new things. Now I just have the freedom to do it at my own pace,” said the recently almost blind musician. Despite health setbacks, he was convinced: “Of course there will be new Elton John music.”
However, it is by no means as natural as the man with the distinctive glasses made it seem. In September, his eyesight had deteriorated dramatically after an infection in the summer in southern France. In an interview with ABC, the songwriter stated that there is still hope that things will work out – “but at the moment I’m stuck. Of course, giving something like interviews is not a problem. But going into the studio and recording is becoming more difficult. I can forget about recognizing new texts. It just blew me away that I can no longer see or read anything.”
New music apparently already ready
In November, the musician released a new piece with Brandi Carlile called “Never Too Late”, which they wrote together for the documentary of the same name by filmmaker and husband David Furnish. A new album by the two is said to be in the planning stages. In addition, new material from Elton John is said to be in the starting blocks in collaboration with his long-time songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. He said in an interview with “Music News” in May 2024 that the surprise LP should be released in a few weeks – but so far the record shelves have remained empty.