”The Yellow Brick Road is paved with gold.”
That was San Francisco magazine’s reaction after the results for the Sir Elton John Collection: Goodbye Peachtree Road auction were announced. An astounding $20.5 million was raised from the eight Christie’s sales, which took place in person and online: over twice the $10 million estimate. Photographs made up approximately one third of the collection, the most lucrative being Irving Penn‘s Rock Groups: San Francisco: (Big Brother and the Holding Company and The Grateful Dead). That went for over $40,000.
Tickets will soon go on sale for Fragile Beauty, an exhibition in London, England, with photos from the collection of Elton and David Furnish. It opens at the V&A on 18 May, but members of the museum can get a preview a day or two early. And according to the Daily Mail, the V&A has teamed up with the Kensington. So hotel guests can receive a pair of tickets to the show as well as a full English breakfast.
When Elton toured Australia in 2020, he stayed at Woodlands, a celebrity crash pad in Sydney. Since he’s no longer on the road overnight accommodations are less of an issue. Elton is apparently interested in adding to his property portfolio, though. It’s already been reported that Sir Elton and his family purchased a condo in Toronto, Canada. Now there’s talk that they could be moving to the North Shore in Sydney, Australia. If it’s Kurraba Residences, as media outlets are claiming, the amenities include a rooftop garden and private elevator. The North Sydney Living website could already picture Elton in rhinestone slippers on his balcony, singing Tiny Dancer!
In the States, the invitation-only Gershwin Prize concert honouring Elton and Bernie is set for the 20th March (and airing on 8 April at 8 p.m. ET on PBS). Among the participants will be Garth Brooks, Metallica, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Charlie Puth. Also on board are Jacob Lusk from Gabriels; Maren Morris; and Billy Porter, who will host.
We wouldn’t be surprised if Garth covers Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, and Annie sings Rocket Man. They told Billboard in 2022 that these were their favourite Elton John songs. Annie thanked Bernie for the ”magical words” and Elton for ”the majesty.” Garth called Elton a ”monster talent” who has stayed true to himself and ”captained his ship his way.”
Maren Morris was another artist who discussed her preference with the music magazine. She cited Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, which she covered on the Restoration tribute album to Elton and Bernie, and for which she received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Solo. In addition, Maren did the song during the 2018 Grammy Elton John: I’m Still Standing salute.
Congratulations to @MarenMorris, Grammy nominated for her version of ‘Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters’ on #EltonRESTORATION! đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/lG5cMq0W8z
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) December 10, 2018
Brandi has said that she cherishes Someone Saved My Life Tonight. But when Elton received the iHeartRadio Icon award in 2021, it was Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me which Brandi performed. She also joined Elton for this number when he played Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, during his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
A 1974 photo of Elton and John Lennon at New York’s Madison Square Garden will be part of Heritage Auctions‘ sale of concert posters and other memorabilia in April. So will a poster announcing the first live appearance in Atlanta, Georgia, of Elton, who was then a ”new sensation.”
We particularly like one of RR Auction’s offerings. Through 13 March, fans have a chance to bid on a note Elton wrote to a business associate. It’s on his Rocket Record Company stationary and indeed, as the auction title suggests, is a ”fine autograph and artifact.”
