Sir Elton John has spoken candidly about the significant toll a recent eye infection has taken on his sight, revealing thoughts of feeling “stuck” as he grapples with the health issue.
At 77, the music icon has had to press pause on recording due to the infection, which was diagnosed earlier in the year.
In candid detail, he shared: “It’s been a while since I’ve done anything, and well, I just have to get off my backside.”
Elaborating further on the severity, he admitted: “I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the south of France and it’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see, and my left eye is not the greatest.”
Nonetheless, Sir Elton remains hopeful, saying: “So there’s hope and encouragement that it will be OK, but it’s… I’m kind of stuck at the moment, because I can do something like this (an interview), but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start.”
The beloved performer took to Instagram in September to inform his followers he was on the mend after the infection – yet a total recovery seems to lag. During his time on ABC News’ Good Morning America, where he divulged this information, Sir Elton also touched on plans to bring out new material with trusted collaborator Bernie Taupin, reports the Mirror.
However, given his current health issues, fans may need to wait a little longer.
He remains determined to better his condition, referring to measures being taken by asserting: “We’re taking initiative to try and get it better, but at the moment that’s really what we’re concentrating on.”
He commented on the difficult timing, remarking: “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, can’t watch anything.”
This revelation follows hot on the heels of Sir Elton’s latest musical escapade, a fresh tune with American songstress Brandi Carlile called ‘Never Too Late’, inspired by his new Disney+ documentary of the same name. His show-stopping performance at Glastonbury in 2023 marked his last live gig in the UK as part of his colossal 330-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which he wrapped up with a heartfelt set in Stockholm, Sweden.
Sir Elton, who was recognised with an appointment to the Order of the Companions of Honour in November 2021, is celebrated for classics such as ‘Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting’, ‘I’m Still Standing’, and ‘Your Song’. Notably, in 2019, the Kingsman actor Taron Egerton stepped into his shoes for the hit biographical film ‘Rocketman’.
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