Elton John Says He’s ‘Deeply Moved’ by Madonna’s ‘Heartfelt Tribute’ to Lives Lost to AIDS in Celebration Tour

Elton John appreciates his friend Madonna’s ongoing efforts to speak out about AIDS and those who have died from the disease.

During the 65-year-old Queen of Pop’s ongoing celebration tour, she displays photos of several people who have lost their lives to AIDS — including Keith Haring, Herb Ritts and Freddie Mercury — while singing the 1986 hit “Live to Tell,” an anthem about perseverance.

Two weeks into the tour, which kicked off on October 14, John took to social media to express his admiration for the emotional moment in Madonna’s performance. “We are deeply moved by @madonna’s heartfelt tribute during her Celebration Tour performance of ‘Live to Tell,’ honoring the 40.4 million people we have lost to AIDS,” the 76-year-old icon wrote in a joint statement with her Elton John AIDS Foundation. -And.

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Madonna performs in London on October 14, 2023.

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“Thank you, Madonna, for your advocacy and compassion, and for raising important awareness of the ongoing mission to end AIDS. With 39 million people living with HIV today, 9.4 million of them are currently not on life-saving treatment , we must continue to use our voices and platforms to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live full and healthy lives,” the post continued.

Madonna has previously used the song “Live to Tell” to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to AIDS, most notably on the Confessions Tour in 2006, when she performed the song from a large crucifix and presented facts and statistics about the disease’s effect on the world.

She and John have been friends for decades, though their relationship has also been rocky. He publicly criticized some of her performances, songs and quotes from interviews — although he later apologized, which she accepted.

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Sir Elton John performing in Somerset in June 2023.

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During her recent Celebration Tour at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium, Madonna opened up about how she feels on stage after a terrifying hospitalization for a serious bacterial infection over the summer.

Less than four months ago, I was in the hospital and I was unconscious, and people were thinking, predicting that I might not make it, said the performer, reports footage taken by fans.

“So it’s a freaking miracle that I’m here now. My mother, God bless, she’s definitely watching over me — she said, ‘Girl, it’s not time for you to go,'” continued the “Vogue” singer, whose mother died of breast cancer in 1963.

Madonna performs in London on October 14, 2023.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

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Madonna told the crowd that she recently had a “strange thought” about her mother. “I suddenly felt compassion and empathy for my mother, not because of the dying part, but how alone she felt as she lay in the hospital, knowing she wasn’t going to survive, and I was given another chance,” she said. “So I’m very grateful for that.”

The Grammy winner then shared details about her current physical condition. – I have to tell you that I’m not feeling well right now, but I can’t complain because I’m alive – said Madonna. “Thank God for my children and all of you for your love and support, I really appreciate it.”

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