Elton John made a special appearance at Brazil’s Rock in Rio festival on Monday, delivering a 23-song performance that included a rarely-played track from his early catalogue. The legendary musician performed “Skyline Pigeon,” a 1969 composition co-written with Bernie Taupin, marking the first time he has played the song since 2019. John introduced the piece to the crowd by noting it represented his initial successful collaboration with Taupin and acknowledged its unique popularity within Brazil.
Originally released on John’s 1969 debut album, “Skyline Pigeon” remained largely obscure until the artist achieved mainstream success the following decade. A re-recorded version from 1972 was paired with the single “Daniel” and subsequently featured on a Brazilian television program, transforming it into a regional hit. This Brazilian connection explains why the artist’s previous live performances of the song had occurred exclusively in South American venues or at special charity events in the United States.
The Rock in Rio performance represents one of several selective concert appearances John has undertaken since concluding his extensive Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in July 2023. Beyond festival appearances, he continues to perform at private events and charity functions. The artist is currently developing new musical material in collaboration with producer Andrew Watt and other collaborators, with additional performances scheduled for Mexico City in October.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
About the Author
