It’s been a little over three months since the world lost the incredible voice of Aretha Franklin, and her close friend, Elton John, has stepped forward to share his thoughts on the legendary singer’s final public performance. That unforgettable night took place at Elton’s annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Gala back in 2017, where Aretha delivered a performance that left everyone in awe, despite her declining health. "I honestly didn’t know how she could possibly perform in the physical condition I saw her in," Elton revealed during a heartfelt speech at his 2018 AIDS event in NYC on November 5.
Aretha Franklin's Last Stand: A Night to Remember
Elton John, who was clearly moved by the performance, went on to describe the magic Aretha brought to the stage that evening. "She did perform. She raised the roof. I think it’s because she was inspired by being in the cathedral. She went to church. She went back to where she came from and she raised the roof, and she sang, and she played, and she made us all weep. She gave us the performance of a lifetime," he shared with the audience. Elton, now 71, emphasized the rarity of witnessing such greatness, explaining, "You don’t see greatness like that very often, and we will never see it again."
Elton's Tribute to Aretha on Twitter
After Aretha passed away, Elton took to Twitter to pen a touching tribute to the "I Say a Little Prayer" singer. "The loss of @ArethaFranklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul, and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated — she was one of my favorite pianists," he wrote, expressing his admiration for her unmatched talent.
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A Final Performance That Left Everyone Speechless
Elton continued to elaborate on that unforgettable evening, saying, "I was fortunate enough to spend time with her and witness her last performance — a benefit for [the Elton John AIDS Foundation] at St John The Divine Cathedral. She was obviously unwell, and I wasn’t sure she could perform. But Aretha did and she raised the roof. She sang and played magnificently, and we all wept. We were witnessing the greatest soul artist of all time. I adored her and worshipped her talent. God bless her."
Elton concluded his tribute by saying, "My condolences to all her family and friends. We shared the same birthday — and that meant so much to me. The whole world will miss her but will always rejoice in her remarkable legacy. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen. #RIPArethaFranklin."
