From Tom Jones to the Rolling Stones, Who Are the Oldest Swingers in Town?
Elton John, 74
Brought back to prominence by the release of the biopic Rocketman in 2019, Reg Dwight, born in 1947 in Pinner, is best-known for his collaborations with lyricist Bernie Taupin, with whom he wrote more than 30 albums, selling over 300m records. He has had more than fifty Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including seven number ones in the UK and nine in the US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US.
His tribute single Candle in the Wind 1997, rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts.
He’s also a dedicated AIDS campaigner, but still performs live – theoretically he’s in the middle of a three-year ‘farewell tour’ started in 2019 and interrupted by the coronavirus outbreak, but as he says he now wants to spend more time with his family, it’s hard to say whether he will continue to perform live.
Bryan Ferry, 75
One-time glam-rocker of Roxy Music’s Virginia Plain and Both Ends Burning and smoothie crooner of Dance Away, Bryan Ferry would be in the middle of a world tour now if it weren’t for the pandemic. Instead we have to make do with a recording of his live performance Royal Albert Hall 2020, one of the last major gigs before lockdown. It’s a langorous performance of songs from Roxy Music’s majestic period from 1972-74, as well as the later and more relaxed Limbo, Make You Feel My Love, Dance Away and a surprising appearance for Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right. Proceeds from the album go to Bryan Ferry’s band and road crew.
