Sir Elton John received a standing ovation as he took to the stage on Wednesday night during the 2024 A Year in TIME dinner at Current in New York City.
The musical legend, 77, looked on cloud nine as he performed for the star-studded audience, after being honoured as TIME’s Icon of the Year.
He looked typically suave for the evening in a pale lilac suit over an eye-catching paisley patterned shirt.
Elton added a diamond studded and heart-shaped brooch and sported a pair of tinted aviator shades, as he took to his beloved piano.
The acclaimed singer-songwriter beamed with joy as he posed with Billy Porter on the red carpet, who later introduced Elton onstage.
The richly-deserved honour for the chart-topper comes after Elton revealed his battle against his failing eyesight.
Sir Elton John received a standing ovation as he took to the stage on Wednesday night during the 2024 A Year in TIME dinner at Current in New York City
The musical legend, 77, looked on cloud nine as he performed for the star-studded audience, after being honoured as TIME’s Icon of the Year
He looked typically suave for the evening in a pale lilac suit over an eye-catching paisley patterned shirt
The performer revealed he lost vision in his right eye in the summer in France and as a result can’t see, read or watch anything.
He is fresh off his 330-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour and recently launched new musicals Tammy Faye on Broadway and The Devil Wears Prada in London.
During the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada musical at the start of the month, Elton gave an emotional speech about not being able to see the performance following his eyesight loss – before being guided off the stage by husband David Furnish.
The Rocket Man singer thanked David, 62, for being his ‘rock’ throughout preparations for the official opening of the show and shared: ‘It’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it.
‘And to my husband who’s been my rock because I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because as you know, I’ve lost my eyesight.
‘So it’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it – and boy it sounded good tonight. Thank you for coming.’
He recently admitted he has not been able to see out of his right eye for months, and his left eye ‘is not the greatest’, following a severe infection. It’s not known if the condition is temporary.
Speaking to ABC News about his new documentary Never Too Late last month, Elton admitted he wasn’t sure about his ability to record any new music, as he puts all his focus on his health.
He said: ‘It’s been a while since I’ve done anything. I just have to get off my backside. I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the south of France.
Elton added a diamond studded and heart-shaped brooch and sported a pair of tinted aviator shades, as he took to his beloved piano (pictured with TIME CEO Jessica Sibley)
The acclaimed singer-songwriter beamed with joy as he posed with Billy Porter on the red carpet, who later introduced Elton onstage
The richly-deserved honour for the chart-topper comes after Elton revealed his battle against his failing eyesight
Billy looked typically fashion forward in a black blazer and turtleneck, teamed with a patterned scarf and one of his signature hats
The Broadway actor and singer took to the stage to introduce Elton to the audience
‘It’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see. And my left eye is not the greatest. So there’s hope and encouragement that it will be okay, but I’m kind of stuck at the moment.
‘Because I can do something like this, but going into the studio and recording I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start.
‘We’re taking an initiative to try and get it better, but at the moment that’s really what we’re concentrating on.’
Elton candidly went on: ‘It’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen. And it kind of floored me and I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.’
However, showing his inherent positive attitude, Elton voiced his gratitude for his life, saying: ‘I’m so lucky, I’m the luckiest man in the world.
‘I’m so proud of the documentary, I’m proud of my sons, I’m proud of my attitude towards myself and what’s going on. I’m just very lucky and very grateful.’
His latest performance comes after he was guided gently off the stage following a duet with his close friend Dua Lipa in October.
A production assistant held out a supportive hand for Elton to hold as he made his way backstage at the Royal Albert Hall on October 17, after performing with Dua for her concert special An Evening with Dua Lipa.
Olympian Dina Asher-Smith was also in attendance, looking sublime in a sheer and corsetted gown with a black satin skirt
She posed alongside fellow athlete Anna Cockrell, who recently won silver in the 400m hurdles at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Anna flaunted her incredibly chiselled abs in an elegant black gown with a daring cutout across her midriff
Caitlin Clark proudly posed with a copy of the magazine with her on the cover, after being awarded with Athlete of the Year
The basketball player was the picture of elegance in a plunging black gown with an open back and bejewelled straps
The Indiana Fever star, 22, spoke onstage at the event with sports commentator Maria Taylor (pictured left)
Caitlin addressed her rumoured rivalry with fellow WNBA star Angel Reese, as she dismissed it
Arianna Huffington was also in attendance, oozing sophistication in a black velvet gown with button detailing
The pop star, 29, introduced him with the words: ‘Give it up for a man who needs no introduction, Elton John.’
Throughout most of the performance, Elton remained seated, a visible reminder of the frailty brought on by losing his eyesight.
When the final chorus of their chart-topping hit Cold Heart arrived, he stood briefly, swaying gently to the music, though he refrained from moving his feet.
As the song ended, Elton extended his hand to the singer, holding it in the air until she realised he wanted her to take it.
His emotional performance was capped by a kiss on the cheek from Dua before he was carefully escorted offstage.
Concertgoers described the atmosphere as electric, with one telling the Mail: ‘The chemistry between Elton and Dua was really sweet and joyous to see, they clearly have a lot of love for each other and to see that live was special.
‘He obviously wasn’t as active a stage presence as in years gone by, needing to sit down and be escorted onto the stage, but he sang as well as he ever has and filled the hall with emotion.
‘It was bittersweet to see him struggling a little, and I didn’t know the extent of his vision loss, but it’s amazing he can still create such a fantastic environment in a venue of that calibre.’
Elton revealed he lost vision in his right eye in the summer in France and as a result can’t see, read or watch anything (pictured on stage in October)
During the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada musical at the start of the month, Elton gave an emotional speech about not being able to see the performance following his eyesight loss – before being guided off the stage by husband David Furnish (pictured right)
His latest performance comes after he was guided gently off the stage following a duet with his close friend Dua Lipa in October (pictured)
Another Royal Albert Hall attendee shared: ‘It was incredible to see Elton John live, we were ecstatic to see him and truly shocked that he had come.
‘It was emotional seeing him, knowing that his health and balance was deteriorating – he was led on by the hand and perched on a stool for the majority of Cold Heart.
‘You could definitely tell that the performance meant a lot to him, he was standing and dancing hand in hand with Dua by the end of the song, along with the entire audience. His vocals remained strong and compelling, I don’t think his charm and charisma was lacking in the slightest.
‘The crowd was completely hooked: we were dancing and singing along to Dua and the orchestra from the beginning, however Elton John’s surprise appearance transformed the night into a standout event.’
