Elton John Obtains Rare EGOT Status After Missing The Emmys Over Knee Surgery

Legendary singer Elton John achieved EGOT status with his recent Emmy win for "Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium."

His acclaimed career includes five Grammys, two Oscars, and a Tony. The farewell concert marked the triumphant return of his extensive tour, with over 50,000 attendees and guest stars like Dua Lipa.

John recently clinched EGOT status after securing an Emmy Award for the best variety special (live) with "Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium" available on Disney+.

Unfortunately, the "incredibly honored" John couldn't attend the award ceremony due to a left knee replacement surgery.

David Furnish, the singer's husband and a producer on the concert special, revealed that John was happy about his first-ever Emmy win, mentioning that he "screamed out loud."

Holding John's award backstage, Furnish shared, per Page Six: "We FaceTimed him. We woke him up in the middle of the night. He's back in the UK. He's had his left knee replaced — which isn't surprising when you think of the number of pianos he's jumped off."

Acknowledging his new status, the acclaimed British singer-pianist said he was "incredibly humbled" to join the ranks of EGOT winners. "The journey to this moment has been filled with passion, dedication, and the unwavering support of my fans all around the world," he said in a statement.

John's widely acclaimed concert was the concluding North American leg of his extensive Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour - a three-night stint at the Los Angeles stadium that marked a triumphant return after a pandemic-induced hiatus.

The tour, which started in September 2018 with over 300 scheduled dates, faced a pause in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in 2021. Over 50,000 fans attended the grand finale, which featured guest appearances from emerging stars like Dua Lipa and Brandi Carlile.

Expressing gratitude, John said: "Tonight is a testament to the power of the arts and the joy that it brings to all our lives. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my career. I am incredibly grateful."

As one of the best-selling solo artists globally, John boasts an impressive collection of accolades, including five Grammys, his most recent for "Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida" in 2001.

The iconic entertainer also has two Oscars, earned for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from "The Lion King" in 1994 and "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from "Rocketman." He also has a Tony for the original score of "Aida."

In addition to his numerous accolades, the 76-year-old also holds the record for the largest-selling physical single with 33 million copies of "Candle in the Wind" in 1997.

Now, with his Emmy award, he has joined the esteemed EGOT club as the 19th member, alongside other accomplished performers like Viola Davis, Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Hudson, and John Legend.

John revealed exciting news about his latest project at the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame induction for his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. He shared, "The album is going to surprise the s--- out of you. It's absolutely wonderful, and it's full of youth, and it's full of vitality."

Additionally, renowned photographer David LaChapelle is set to contribute the cover art for John's upcoming album.

In an interview with Page Six for his latest exhibition, "Happy Together," at Visu Contemporary in Miami, LaChapelle shared his excitement, recalling how John's influence played a significant role in his own journey.

LaChapelle recalled his childhood, stating that he grew up with "his posters all over my bedroom. He shared, "This period in fourth grade we lived in North Carolina."

He continued revealing he "felt like such a freak and weirdo." He added, "Bible belt, gay, I was Christian, but they were condemning gay people… in fifth grade I started going through puberty. I didn't feel like I fit in, or was going to be accepted."

He added that John, as a rock icon, "showed me there was a place for me in the world… he was a big, important figure to me as a kid."