This is Your Song, mum
Sir Elton sings tribute at concert
SIR Elton John paid tribute to his mum Sheila at his first show since her death – dedicating his 1970 hit Your Song to her.
The singer, 70, told an audience: “It’s a hard day for me because my mother passed away. I’m glad to say she passed away peacefully, with no pain. Maybe sooner than she should have done – I was quite shocked.”
Speaking in Hamburg, Germany, he said to the crowd: “I was thinking how I can pay tribute to her tonight and what song I should choose.
“Well this next song I wrote at her house or her apartment. I can remember every single minute of writing it with Bernie Taupin.
“So this is a song I want to dedicate to her. And it’s taken me from nowhere to somewhere. So thank you, mum.” Earlier this week, he revealed to fans in an Instagram post: “So sad to say that my mother passed away this morning. I only saw her last Monday and I am in shock. Travel safe Mum. Thank-you for everything. I will miss you so much. Love, Elton.”
The pair had been engaged in a seven-year feud after a row in 2008 when she refused to cease contact with friends dropped from his team.
Speaking two years ago, Sheila said: “To my utter amazement, he told me he hated me. And he then banged the phone down. Imagine. To me, his mother.”
The row reportedly escalated due to issues between Sheila and Elton’s husband David Furnish, 55.
But in 2015, they reconciled after Sheila turned 90. She died aged 92.
Yesterday, David arrived at the Winq Men of the Year Awards at London’s Rosewood Hotel to present an Elton John Aids Foundation Award to Russian activist Evgeny Pisemsky – but left before he was due on stage.
A source said: “He had to get away due to time pressures. There has been a lot going on this week.”