Elton John remains determined despite eyesight loss
Elton John has been candid about his ongoing eyesight issues, which stem from a severe infection he contracted last year. While his vision problems initially caused a delay in the release of his latest album “Who Believes in Angels?”, he remains optimistic and resolute in his determination not to be defeated by this setback. In an interview with The Guardian, Elton expressed his unwavering optimism, stating, “I’m an optimist permanently. I’ve got bad eyesight at the moment. There have been days where I’ve been miserable, but then I think about how lucky I am.”
Despite the challenges posed by his eyesight, Elton refuses to let it overshadow his positive outlook on life. He acknowledges the struggles faced by those who are sight-impaired or completely blind and expresses his admiration for their resilience. Convinced of his own ability to overcome obstacles, he declares, “I’ve got a new respect for sight-impaired people and people who are totally blind, some of whom I’m in touch with. But to hell with it, I’ve got a great life, and hopefully my sight will improve … I’ve overcome a lot. This is not going to beat me. I’ve beaten addiction, I’ve beaten health issues, and I can pick myself up and dust myself off.”
While Elton John may be able to tackle physical health challenges with a sense of resilience, he acknowledges that emotional struggles can still affect him deeply. He described experiencing a panic attack while filming a cameo in the upcoming movie sequel Spinal Tap 2, in which his character meets an unfortunate fate on stage. The experience left him grappling with overwhelming emotions, as he explains, “I did kind of hyperventilate. I said, ‘Jesus, I’m so glad I don’t have to do this anymore.’”
Despite these challenges, Elton remains excited about his new album, a collaborative project with his longtime friend Brandi Carlile. The collaboration provided a unique musical challenge for Elton, who expressed a desire to move away from creating typical “Elton John” records. Brandi, who encountered Elton’s occasional studio outbursts, described the process as “volatile but really cool.”
As Elton John continues to navigate his health challenges and pursue his passion for creating music, his unwavering optimism and determination serve as an inspiration to fans and peers alike. With a career marked by triumphs over adversity, Elton’s resilience shines through in his refusal to let circumstances dictate his outlook on life. While his eyesight issues may present ongoing obstacles, Elton’s indomitable spirit ensures that he will face each challenge head-on, with the belief that this, too, shall pass.