Today is 1 November, All Saint’s Day, and for many Christians it is a day to remember loved ones who are no longer with us.
Since November 2025, we have lost more people who are linked with Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
Today, we want to pay tribute to people who made a contribution to the genius of Elton John.
Neil Sedaka
27 February 2026
Aged 86.
Elton was a long-time admirer and signed Sedaka to Rocket Records in the mid-1970s. This helped revive his career, producing major hits including Laughter in the Rain, The Immigrant and Bad Blood with Elton.
Bob Mackie
14 September 2026
Aged 87.
Mackie designed Elton’s famous Donald Duck costume for his September 1980 Central Park concert in New York. Andre Miripolsky, meanwhile, designed the Piano Keys uniform.
Mackie also created numerous other costumes for Elton. Elton paid a personal tribute, describing him as one of the most legendary designers in Hollywood.
Chris Rea
22 December 2025
Aged 74.
Collaborated directly with Elton on duet If You Were Me, featured on Elton’s 1993 album Duets. Rea was both a singer and songwriter.
Terry Cox
19 March 2026
Aged 89.
British drummer and member of Pentangle. He played on Elton’s Elton John (1970) The Greatest Discovery and The King Must Die and three tracks on Madman Across the Water (1971). He was also a session musician for David Bowie and the Bee Gees.
Michael Lippman
29 December 2025
Aged 79.
Music manager and entertainment lawyer who represented Bernie Taupin for 37 years, from 1980. His connection to Elton was through Elton’s long-standing songwriting partner. He also managed George Michael and David Bowie.
Jimmy Cliff
24 November 2025
Aged 81.
Jamaican reggae legend. His connection to Elton was through the music of The Lion King. Cliff recorded a version of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Hakuna Matata, with Lebo M, for Rhythm of the Pride Lands (1995).
You can also listen to our short episode that pays tribute to many others we have lost in earlier years, and add to that list Russ Regan, Patrick Proctor, and Alan Aldridge. Sadly the list gets longer each year and we have to remember even more names.
May they all Rest In Peace.
The podcast episode from 1 November 2025:
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