Sir Elton John, 77, health woes take heartbreaking turn as he’s forced to stop signing autographs amid sight loss
Sir Elton John’s health has deteriorated to the point where he can now only sign autographs with an “E” and a kiss.
The 77-year-old music legend has had to “simplify” his signature on limited edition sets of his forthcoming album.
Fans were warned about the change, which comes as the star continues to struggle with severe vision problems that have left him virtually unable to see, reports The Sun.
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The infection left John completely blind in his right eye, with only “limited vision” in his left.
“I can’t see anything. I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything,” he told Good Morning America in a candid interview.
The pop icon has been unable to attend many events, including previews of his musical The Devil Wears Prada.
John has overcome a string of other health issues in recent years, with the music icon undergoing knee and hip replacements as well as prostate cancer surgery.
“This is the latter time of my life. I don’t know how much time I have left,” the 77-year-old despaired last year.
He continued: “You think about that more when you get to my age. You think about life and… and death. You think, ‘Well, I just want to be where I want to be now.'”
Initially, John feared his failing sight might prevent him from completing his new album Who Believes In Angels?
Despite these concerns, the album is set for release on April 4.
The project marks a significant achievement for the musician, who admitted to BBC Radio 2 that he began the writing process in “a very dark place of doubt”.
The limited edition sets of the album, priced at £24.99, will feature his simplified signature.
Despite a career spanning over 50 years, he admitted: “I had more doubt on this record than I had ever had in my life.”
Who Believes In Angels? is a collaborative effort bringing together several musical talents.
The album features John working with American singer Brandi Carlile and his longtime writing partner, Bernie Taupin.
It was produced by Andrew Watt at Sunset Sound Recorders in Los Angeles.
He described the new record as “one of the toughest I’ve ever made but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.”