LONDON: When Elton John was working on his new autobiography, the legendary singer, songwriter and performer pulled out diaries he had been encouraged to write during a stint in rehab.
One entry read like this: “Got up, tidied the house, bought a Rolls Royce, had dinner, wrote ‘Candle in the Wind,’ had dinner with Ringo Starr,” the musician said. “That was one day.”
John, 72, spoke in a video interview provided to Reuters by his publisher, Henry Holt & Co., to promote the release of his book, which is titled simply “Me.”
The diary entries helped jog John’s memories from his 50-year career filled with hit records, Grammy awards and royal friendships but also addiction and a suicide attempt two days before a show at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
“I wanted to show the tough ride of being a successful artist, and how I went through tough times, and how I came out at the end and got my life together,” John said. “It’s the story of my life up to the present day, warts and all.”
In the book, the “Crocodile Rock” singer revealed recent health scares including a near-fatal infection and a serious bout with appendicitis. “I did like 10 or 11 shows, 24 flights, with a burst appendix,” he said.
John is currently in the middle of a lengthy “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” world tour that will bring his touring career to an end. In the interview, he said performing on stage “just never gets old.”
“I never go on stage late,” he said. “I just love to get out there and I’m raring to go.”
“Even when I was doing a lot of drugs, I still carried on playing music,” he added. “It’s been my touchstone of my whole life.”
A highlight, John said, came in 1975 when John Lennon joined him to perform three songs at Madison Square Garden. It was Lennon’s first appearance on stage in New York since the Beatles played Shea Stadium.
Lennon was so nervous that he vomited before the performance, John said. “He came out to probably the most touching ovation I’ve ever heard,” John said. “We all shed a tear on stage.”
John said he is not sure what his future holds but he is still writing songs.
“I don’t know what’s next and I don’t want to know what’s next,” he said. “I’m just ready for the next chapter.”
A day in Elton John’s life: Buy Rolls, write hit song, dine with Ringo
A day in Elton John’s life: Buy Rolls, write hit song, dine with Ringo
- Diary entries helped jog Elton John’s memories from his 50-year career
- ‘Even when I was doing a lot of drugs, I still carried on playing music’
Saudi Cup 2026: Fashion stars spend a day at the races
RIYADH: Fashion-forward attendees pulled out all the stops at the Saudi Cup 2026, held from Feb. 13-14 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
Cultures from across the world were represented at the races, while Saudi attire also hailed from across the Kingdom.
“I want to reflect on our culture,” one guest told Arab News. “So I’m wearing Najdi (fashion) in lavender color and holding lavender flowers,” she added, referring to the lavender flowers that are abundant in some areas of the Kingdom in spring.
Overall, the women came out in front. For every male guest dressed in a lavender or burgundy thobe, there were multiple women donning traditional clothing in all shapes, colours and forms.
Guests showed off race-appropriate headwear, patterned thobes and Saudi-inspired embroidery.
Fashion also played a major role in the event further away from the stands as the Saudi Fashion Commission hosted a Saudi 100 Brands showcase.
The event marks the fourth year in a row that the initiative has featured at the internationally recognized sporting and cultural event.
The fashion program is spread over two days, with runway presentations scheduled throughout the evenings. On Feb. 13, collections were presented by Saudi fashion brands THEXO, Enays and Sulitude. Feb. 14 features runway shows by MD29, Adara By Fa and Hajruss.
Alongside the runway program, a dedicated exhibition space showcases selected jewelry and accessories pieces, allowing visitors to view the work up close.
Participating designers will present collections that draw on Saudi references while engaging with contemporary design, offering insight into how local fashion continues to develop.
“Since 2022, the Saudi 100 Brands program has been an integral part of the Saudi Cup, positioning fashion as a cultural expression within one of the Kingdom’s most globally visible events,” said Saudi Fashion Commission Chief Executive Burak Cakmak, in a previously released statement.
“This platform has enabled brands to bring together heritage and contemporary narratives that reflect identity, creativity and innovation,” Cakmak said. “This year represents a natural evolution from an exhibition to a curated showcase, reinforcing fashion’s role as a dynamic cultural platform within the Saudi Cup.”
