Sir Elton John rolled back for years as the BST Hyde Park Festival began with a career span set from homemade chart toppers.
He is a 75-year-old singer and pianist who has performed songs dedicated to his late collaborators Aretha Franklin and George Michael since the end of half a century as a recording artist.
He told the audience: “We have been looking forward to this show for a long time and have finally arrived.”
He was watched over from the elevated platform by his little sons, Zachary and Elijah.
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Elton John, Hyde Park (Susan Moore, PA)
Sir Elton’s appearance at the festival, which returned on Friday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, took place during his marathon “Fairwell Yellow Brick Road” tour.
Over 300 years of global driving is expected to end next year and will retire from the tour after 52 years.
He states: “Thank you for all the love and all the kindness you have shown me.
“If you stop by next July, you will have a lot of memories. You are part of that.”
He had a Hydepark with crowd favorites Bennie and the Jets before a setlist of over 20 songs from his collection, including Rocketman, Tiny Dancer, his first hit, and Your Song from 1970. opened.
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Crowd watching Elton John (Suzan Moore / PA)
He also played a stripped rendition of Candle in the Wind. It was re-recorded in 1997 to commemorate the death of his friend Diana, the Princess of Wales, whose commemorative fountain is in Hyde Park.
His encore included the 2021 number one single with Dua Lipa, Cold Heart (PNAU Remix).
Sir Elton said: “I’m 75 years old. It feels great to be the best in the world.”
The set ended with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
Sir Elton will be followed by the Rolling Stones on Saturday and the Eagles on Sunday at BST Hyde Park this weekend.
Adele, Pearl Jam and Duran Duran will also headline the festival hosted by American Express this summer.
