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Elton John is still standing and making music, even when his health challenges get in the way.
While accepting the Glenn Gould Prize in Toronto on May 9 for his "unique lifetime contribution that has enriched the human condition through the arts," the "Rocket Man" musician confirmed that he has finished his next album despite some setbacks from his deteriorating eyesight, per People. He shared in 2024 that he lost vision in his right eye following an infection.
Speaking to the crowd, John explained that his health issues have been a challenge to his normal writing process but has sparked a new creative way to make music.
"I've had eye trouble recently, and I always make records my looking at lyrics and writing to lyrics, and so I'm kind of f---ed at the moment," he said, adding, "What my eye has given me is a chance of, at 80 years of age, completely reversing how I write. I'm writing melodies first, and lyrics coming second. I've never done that. And I've just done it."
The legendary musician, who has released dozens of albums across his decades-long career, also revealed that the record is "so different" than his past work but that "it's so happy."
"I'm so thrilled with it because it's given me another chance to make music," he said.
Last year, John opened up to Variety about the "devastating" challenges of losing sight in his right eye and having limited vision in his left.
"It's been devastating," he said. "Because I lost my right eye and my left eye's not so good, the last 15 months have been challenging for me because I haven't been able to see anything, watch anything, read anything."
However, he shared that he still has hope, saying, "I've just gotta be patient that someday science will help me with this one. Once they help me with this one, I'll be fine."