Nostalgia enveloped me as I read about the final concert of the farewell tour of Sir Elton John in Stockholm, Sweden early last month.
Five decades after I heard ‘Rocket Man’, the piece remains a favorite along with ‘Your Song’, `Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’, ‘Something About the Way You Look Tonight’, ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ and, yes, ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’.
There’s “Candle in the Wind”, which was also part of his milestone 1973 album, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”.
Originally written that year, “Candle in the Wind”, too, honored Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe, who died a decade earlier.
The song, with its melancholic melody, regained popularity when its rewritten version was sung by Elton John as a tribute to Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a road accident in 1997.
Indeed, the legendary singer’s global appeal is apparently due to the unique music – a blend of pop, pop rock, soft rock, rock and even the reggae genre oft grounded in sentimentalism – that even many Gen Z music lovers I know have his melodies in their phone music files.
Truly a multigenerational icon, his brand of songs cuts across age groups. “He has broken both geographic and demographic barriers,” said a student who is a self-confessed Sir EJ fan.
He is also celebrated for having been knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1998 as well as for having seven consecutive albums reaching No. 1 on music charts, and for winning five Grammys awards.
At 76 today, the music legend said he wants to spend more time for his family.
He started his music career in 1962.
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The swan song tour, which began September 2018 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, had its schedule disrupted by the pandemic. It became the top-grossing global concert series after it earned more than $900 million in 330 concerts worldwide.
The concert was dubbed “Farewell Yellow Brick Road”, apparently inspired by his 1973 album. It also holds the solo artist record for most tickets sold, at more than 20 million, reports said.
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Another music icon that made news last month is the Eagles, which announced the upcoming “The Long Goodbye” final tour of the popular American band after 50-plus years of sellout global performances.
The final tour will start next month and will run until 2025.
The band debuted in 1972 and has released almost two dozens of studio, I’ve and compilation albums.
Among its greatest hits are “Take it Easy,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Desperado,” “Take it to the Limit” and “Hotel California”.
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By the way one of the songs in the “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” album – “Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock N Roll)” – reminds me of a global family-oriented occasion this week, Sisters Day, observed on August 6.
“It is all about having a sister or being one,” event promoters said.
Many followers of this day usually observe it by spending time with their sisters, making sure the day turns out to be special for them and that they are being appreciated.
I convey my greetings for the day to my two sisters, Lucy ‘Neneng’ Apostol and Glenda ‘Inday’ Atonson. Thank you for being very caring and thoughtful siblings and for having families that are God and Christ-centered.
My special prayers are for Neneng for her open heart surgery (triple bypass) scheduled next week in Michigan, where she is residing with the family of daughter, Faith.
To all sisters far and near, have a happy day not only on Sisters Day but all throughout the year.
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Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. (1 John 4:20) – NWI
