Sir Elton John has opened up on his declining eyesight after revealing last year he’s lost vision in his right eye.
The legendary musician, 77, contracted a severe eye infection in July which left him blind in his right eye, with ‘limited vision’ in his left.
But despite being unable to experience some of his most glitzy events over the last few months, including the gala performance of the musical The Devil Wears Prada, the star has remained positive.
In an interview with The Guardian, Sir Elton confessed that he now has a newfound respect for sight-impaired people and understands how lucky he is.
He told the publication: ‘I’m an optimist permanently, I’ve got bad eyesight at the moment.
‘There have been days I’ve been miserable, but then I think about how lucky I am, I’ve got a new respect for sight-impaired people, but I’ve got a great life and hopefully my sight will improve.
Sir Elton John, 77, has opened up on his declining eyesight after revealing last year he’s lost vision in his right eye
The legendary musician contracted a severe eye infection in July which left him blind in his right eye, with ‘limited vision’ in his left
‘I’ve beaten addiction, health issues and can pick myself up, dust myself off’
His confession over his sight comes as he revealed the real reason for his furious studio meltdown as he embarked on his latest record with collaborator and friend Brandi Carlile.
He admitted that despite a career spanning over 50 years, he had more doubt going into the recording studio this time around than ever before.
In breathtakingly awkward scenes from his documentary, the pop legend is seen slamming his headphones down and tearing up a piece of sheet music as he tells aghast onlookers: ‘I’m going home’ as he brands the session a ‘f***ing nightmare.’
And speaking to Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2 on Friday, the star admitted he began the writing process in a ‘very dark place of doubt’ and wasn’t feeling his best.
Chatting with Brandi he explained: ‘I was in a very very dark place of doubt, I was tired, I wasn’t feeling well and after I got through that weak period of feeling like that, it just flew and it was just amazing.’
Sir Elton confessed: ‘I had more doubt on this record than I had ever had in my life.
‘I just wanted it to be special. And you can’t guarantee when you walk into a studio that you’re gonna come out with something special.
But despite being unable to experience some of his most glitzy events over the last few months, including the gala performance of the musical The Devil Wears Prada, the star has remained positive
His confession over his sight comes as he revealed the real reason for his furious studio meltdown as he embarked on his latest record with collaborator and friend Brandi Carlile
‘But if I’d have been on my own without Brandi and Berni and Andrew, this record would never have got made.
‘It was the combination of all the energy in the room, all the aggravation, all the anxiety, pushed us to make electric music.’
The studio album called Who Believes In Angels? Is a collaborative effort with Brandi and Sir Elton’s longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin and is set for release on April 4.
Sir Elton has been captivating audiences with his chart-topping hits since the late 60s, but the first half of his career was plagued with addictions to drugs, alcohol, sex and shopping — as well as his battle with bulimia.
In 2019 Sir Elton made a shocking confession that was’grateful for those years of sex and drugs’ as it led him to meet husband David Furnish.
Speaking to GQ Hype, the iconic singer claimed he spent 16 years of his life ‘getting f***ed up’ and 29 ‘getting better.’
Admitting he wouldn’t be the person he is today without his past addiction battle, the Rocketman hitmaker explained: ‘I’m grateful for those years of sex and drugs, although I despise looking back on them.
‘I had a good time at the beginning, but at the end it was just awful. But if I hadn’t have gone through them, I wouldn’t be sitting here having the great life I have now. I would have never met David [Furnish].
‘I would never have had children. I spent 16 years getting f***ed up and 29 years getting better.’
The singer entered into a civil partnership with Canadian filmmaker David Furnish, 56, in December 2005, before tying the knot when same-sex marriage became legal in England and Wales in March 2014. They share sons Zachary, eight, and Elijah, six.
