After a private party on Saturday, the Rocket Man landed at Madison Square Garden on the night of the big day. The Sunday concert, conveniently, also marked his 60th performance at the Garden, where he first appeared back on Sept. 23, 1973. John has now played the Garden more times than any single artist.
John was introduced by fellow baby-boomer icon Bill Clinton, who congratulated the singer on "joining my favorite club — the 60-year-olds."
Elegant in a long, black coat over a white shirt and tie, John took his seat at the piano and let loose a string of golden oldies, beginning with, fittingly, SixtyYears On and the title track from Madman Across the Water. The set list was heavy on fan favorites, including signature singles Levon and Daniel.
After performing Empty Garden, a posthumous tribute to John Lennon, John was joined on stage by Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams, who provided a cheeky tribute. Noting John's understated dress, Williams quipped that the singer "used to make Liberace look Amish." Then another surprise guest appeared: John's partner in music for 40 years, Bernie Taupin, and he led the audience in singing Happy Birthday to You.
The concert will be broadcast April 5 on MyNetworkTV. The two-hour special, Happy Birthday Elton, also will feature celebrity interviews.
If Saturday's party is any indication, there will be no shortage of footage. Held at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in uptown Manhattan, the black-tie affair (hosted by John's partner, David Furnish, and Sandra Brant and Ingrid Sischy of Interview magazine) featured an eclectic assortment of celebs: musicians Tony Bennett, Lou Reed, Brian Wilson, Bette Midler, Mary J. Blige, Yoko Ono, Kid Rock, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, James Blunt, and Ozzy Osbourne; actors Richard Gere and wife Carey Lowell, Elizabeth Hurley and new husband Arun Nayar, Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan, Kiefer Sutherland, Liv Tyler, Anne Hathaway and Chloe Sevigny; designers Donna Karan and Donatella Versace; media personalities Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters; and tennis great Billie Jean King.
Sir Elton just keeps on rockin' -- and he shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
