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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Tom Bryant & Zara Woodcock

Elton John pays tribute to George Michael at Glastonbury on late singer's birthday

Elton John has paid tribute to his late pal George Michael on what would have been his 60th birthday.

George, who died in December 2016, famously sang a live duet with Elton on Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, which rocketed to number one in the UK and the US in the early 90s.

On Sunday, Elton headlined on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival after a weekend of incredible acts from Guns N' Roses to Arctic Monkeys.

As the day fell on George's birthday, Elton took a moment to pay tribute to his late friend while performing on stage.

Elton paid tribute to the late George Michael (Getty Images)

"Today would have been his 60th birthday, I want to dedicate this song to the memory, and all the music which he left us with which is so gorgeous. This is for you George," an emotional Elton told the crowd before performing Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.

A version of the song recorded live as a duet between Elton and George reached number one in the UK in 1991.

The pair famously performed the song together for the first time at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in 1985.

Your Song singer Elton also duetted with icon Dolly Parton on Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me for her 49th studio album, Rockstar.

It is scheduled to be released on November 17, 2023.

Elton's song was written by him and songwriter Bernie Taupin for his eight studio album, Caribou (1974).

Before performing at Glastonbury, Elton admitted to being apprehensive about taking on the job.

The 76-year-old said of the gig: “I’m a little intimidated by it because I haven’t played there, I haven’t been there.”

However, he added that the opportunity to play at the festival came "at the right time".

Elton, who is reaching the end of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, explained: "I’m a great believer in serendipity and fate – this is the most wonderful way to sign off in England."

His tour will be the last one the singer says he will ever do and, having started it in September 2018 in Pennsylvania, it will end this July in Stockholm.

Elton’s Glastonbury performance is his last in the UK.

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