The quiet life of Elton John, the singer who resists becoming a legend

The recording artist, who recently became one of 19 people with an EGOT to their name, has said goodbye to the stage so many times that it sounds more like a see you soon. His retirement is not a homebound one but rather a tactical withdrawal: he has announced a book and is preparing a new album and a new musicalSir Elton John’s outlandish life can hardly be described as domestic, even the most British universal artist in existence (next to Paul McCartney and Rod Stewart) cited spending more time at home in the future as the reason for his retirement. These days, he is about to turn 77, but Reginald Kenneth Dwight, his real name, keeps racking up awards.

The U.S. Library of Congress just announced that it is awarding its 2024 prestigious Gershwin Prize in the Popular Song (Pop) category to the British artist, and, Bernie Taupin, the lyricist behind the vast majority of Elton John’s hits. Shortly before this most recent recognition, Elton John completed the EGOT, winning an Emmy (television), Grammy (music), Oscar (film) and Tony (theater). That’s a special accomplishment in the entertainment industry, and there are only 19 people who have done so. The live broadcast of his concert at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the last U.S. stop on his swansong Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, earned the artist the coveted Emmy that he was missing. At the end of a tour of 330 performances, the concerts are estimated to have grossed close to $987 million (€920 million). Just a week ago he announced a book in which he will recount all the details of his farewell tour: “It’s been a beautiful journey creating this book and remembering the people and places that shaped an incredible chapter in my life. As well as the stories and memories, not just from this tour but from throughout my career, I’ve included unreleased photography and memorabilia that I hope give you never-before-seen insights of my life on the road,” he explained on his Instagram of Farewell Yellow Brick Road: Memories of My Life On Tour; the title will be available for purchase on September 24.It would not be the last goodbye. There were more, and none of them sounded definitively final. A year later he would perform at the legendary Glastonbury Festival in the southwest countryside of England.

“It’s been an incredible journey. I’ve had a great time, and I’ll never forget you guys. You are on my mind, in my heart and in my soul. You have been an incredible audience tonight, and I wish you love, health and happiness,” Elton John told the nearly 200,000 spectators who enjoyed his music live that night. Between seven and eight million more watched on the BBC, an audience share (48.9%) that is hard to beat.I’m a bitch, I’m a bitch, the bitch is back.”

That was one of the hits the singer chose for a concert that was a nostalgic retrospective on half a century in the business; it also made it clear that he did not plan to leave the scene completely. He wore a gold-colored suit and black horn-rimmed glasses with pink lenses, a rather discreet outfit for the artist who made his attire a fundamental part of his personality. In the era of rock guitars, when Elton John was just getting started, he chose flashy ensembles to constantly attract the attention of the audience as he was behind his piano. Crocodile Rock, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Your Song, Candle in the Wind… He included all the hits in his repertoire. And he demonstrated the same generosity as always. He did not resort to having surprise guests join him on stage; he used his overwhelming influence to promote young and promising up-and-comers like Stephen Sanchez and Rina Sawayama.