It’s not just a difficult moment, but a life passage that redefines priorities and perspectives. Elton John, a living legend of global music, has chosen to open up without filters in a lengthy interview with the British newspaper The Times, on the release of his new album Who Believes in Angels?, out on April 4, an album that marks his return to the recording studio, and also offers a deep reflection on what truly matters when the spotlight starts to fade.
Last summer, the music legend fell victim to an eye infection so aggressive that he feared going blind. He tried to reassure fans through social media, writing that the healing process was slow but manageable. And yet, his condition doesn’t seem to have improved. In November, during an appearance on Good Morning America, he admitted he hadn’t been able to see for four months and confessed that he couldn’t even read a lyric sheet. This challenge also affected the timeline for releasing his new project.
But it’s in recent days that the most intimate part of his story has come to light. The artist explained that temporary blindness has not only taken away his ability to work, but also the simple joys of watching television, reading a book, or just seeing his sons play rugby and football. He described the period as extremely stressful, adding that he had always been someone who could “take everything in,” but now finds himself living in a muffled reality that’s hard to accept.
It is within his family that he now seeks shelter. His sons, Zachary and Elijah, aged 14 and 12, and his husband David Furnish are the core of his world. Elton recalled a particularly emotional moment: the day Zachary started high school. After dropping him off and seeing him settle in confidently, he returned home and broke down in tears. When David asked what was wrong, he replied that he was afraid he might never see his son again. These boys, he said, have completely transformed his life. If once he wished to die on stage, now his only aspiration is to have “He was a great father” written on his tombstone.
Music, however, has never left Elton, and still pulses through his veins. His latest LP, the result of a collaboration with Brandi Carlile, represents a new creative challenge. He revealed that, rather than creating a typical “Elton John record,” he made a deliberate choice to take a different path, seeking a project that would truly test him.
