Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item(s) in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Kiran (class of 2024) and features a biography of and albums by Elton John. Thanks, Kiran!
Elton John
Rocket Man: The Life of Elton John by Mark Bego
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Farwell Yellow Brick Road – The Closing Chapter on Elton John’s Magical Journey
For people in my generation, Elton John was the singer we grew up listening to when our parents were tired of listening to 2010s pop and Disney Channel stars. He (and songwriting partner Bernie Taupin) were the masterminds behind the
music & lyrics we somehow all knew even if we didn’t recognize the name. Needless to say, Elton John has been an influential artist on multiple generations and continues to be one of the biggest names in the music industry.
This year, he took to the stage one last time and began his very last world tour. John, now 75, has played over 3,500 concerts since his career took off in 1969. The “Farwell Yellow Brick Road” tour began in 2018 and was halted due to COVID-19. In early November of 2022, John completed the North America leg at Dodgers Stadium, as a nod to one of his earliest shows in which he performed in a bedazzled Dodgers uniform. He will continue touring in Europe this summer with about 60 shows left before he takes his final bow.
John has taken on numerous projects during his career, from creating the hit “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” to an entire soundtrack for Gnomeo and Juliet. You can read more about him at Parsons Music Library or listen to one of his many famous albums in our CD section!
Promotional poster for Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour