The legendary musician, Elton John, 75, paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II at his Rogers Centre concert in Toronto on Thursday evening. The monarch was clearly dear to his heart.
John contemplated the influence the monarch had on his life as an image of Queen Elizabeth was shown on the stage’s auxiliary screens.
In a YouTube video that ABC News posted, the singer, took a moment to address the news to his audience. He said,”Well of course you know today we had the saddest news about the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.”
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Further, John added, “She was an inspiring presence to be around, and I’ve been around her and she was fantastic. She led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency, and genuine care and warmth.”
“I’m 75 — she’s been with me all my life, and I feel very sad that she won’t be with me anymore,” he continued.
“I’m glad she’s at peace, and I’m glad she’s at rest, and she deserves it because she’s worked bloody hard,” he concluded. “I send my love to her family and her loved ones. And she will be missed, but her spirit lives on, and we celebrate her life tonight with music, okay.”
Then, in remembrance of the late Queen, the legendary musician began a beautiful rendition of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.”
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The UK’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
John also released a statement on social media after Buckingham Palace announced the queen’s death.
“Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing,” he wrote.
“She was an inspiring presence to be around, and led the country through some of our greatest, and darkest, moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth. Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly,” he concluded.