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Elton John, who has released more than 30 studio albums, says about his next one: It was created like nothing before. At a weekend gala event where he was awarded the Glenn Gould Prize in Toronto, he described the new album as “so upbeat.”
The vision loss he suffered in 2024 as a result of an eye infection forced him to fundamentally rethink his songwriting approach after all these decades.
“I’ve been having problems with my eyes recently, and the way I make records is to look at lyrics and write to the lyric – and that’s kind of not possible anymore,” the 79-year-old singer and pianist said Saturday at the Theater at Great Canadian Casino Resort in Toronto, where he accepted the prestigious Glenn Gould Prize. The international award honors individuals who “have made a unique, lifelong contribution to the enrichment of human existence through the arts.”
New approach thanks to eye problems
John – who left touring life behind him in 2023 after over 330 shows worldwide on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour and last year released the collaboration album “Who Believes in Angels?” with Belinda Carlisle? – added: “What my eye has given me is the chance to completely reverse the way I write at the age of 80. I now write the melodies first, and the lyrics come after. I’ve never done that before. And I just did it.”
“And I just finished an album that’s completely different from anything I’ve ever done – but it’s so happy,” he continued. “I’m so excited about it because it’s given me another chance to make music.”
John suffered a serious eye infection in the summer of 2024. In September of that year he spoke publicly about it for the first time, announcing that he only had “limited vision in one eye” and that it would take “some time for the affected eye to see again.”
“Devastating” months without vision
A little over a year later, he said in an interview with Variety: “It was devastating. Because I lost my right eye and my left one isn’t that good either, the last 15 months were an enormous challenge – I couldn’t see anything, look at anything, read anything.”
The news that he has found a way to adapt creatively and has a new solo album ready to go was a gift to the guests at the gala. “If I don’t make music, I’m dead,” he told the audience. “If I don’t listen to music, I’m dead. Music is my soul, my driving force. It is everything and has been everything to me my whole life.”
Glenn Gould Prize winners receive $100,000 – John donated the amount back to the Glenn Gould Foundation. The award also comes with the opportunity to choose the winner of the $25,000 Glenn Gould Protégé Prize. He chose mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo. “I know a star when I see one,” he said. “You are a flawless performer, a flawless singer, and I am so proud to present you with this award.”
A swipe at Trump
John also used his six-minute speech to celebrate Canada and turn it against Trump. “It’s so nice to be in Canada and see a concert for Canadian artists, all of whom I know. It’s also nice to be in a country that shows common sense,” he said to cheers and applause.
“I have family here. David’s [Furnish] Family, my husband’s family, is my family. They live in Toronto. They are part of my life, part of my soul. My kids love it here so much. They love their cousins and family here. It’s a part of my life. I’m Canadian,” he added – and received even louder applause.
And further: “And I can tell you: It’s not the 51st state either.” This caused even longer and louder cheers. “It’s a country that welcomes immigrants and doesn’t throw them out. It’s a country that welcomes all people, all colors, and I love it – and I can’t thank Canada enough for what it’s done for me.”
Surprise at the finale
John then surprised everyone by getting up from his chair on stage to join the Canadian artists he had personally selected for the evening – for the grand finale with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”.
