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Elton John performed an updated version of “Candle in the Wind” at Princess Diana's funeral at Westminster Abbey in London. The new version, titled “Candle in the Wind '97,” later became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
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- Elton John performed a dramatically rewritten version of "Candle in the Wind" at Princess Diana's funeral at Westminster Abbey, later released as "Candle in the Wind 1997". In the new version, he replaced the original lyric "Goodbye Norma Jean" with "Goodbye England's Rose". His performance was estimated to have been watched by 2.5 billion television viewers. The song was subsequently re-recorded and released as a charity single, topping charts around the world and selling more than 33 million copies, making it the best-selling single in the history of the UK and U.S. singles charts according to the source.
- Elton John recorded a new version of "Candle in the Wind" after performing it live at Diana, Princess of Wales's funeral. The original song was written in tribute to Marilyn Monroe, but Elton John revised the lyrics as a tribute to the late princess. His performance was estimated to have been watched by 2.5 billion people worldwide. "Candle in the Wind 1997" reached No. 1 in the U.S., UK and many other countries and subsequently became the best-selling single of all time.
- Elton John's double-sided single "Candle in the Wind 1997" / "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and began a 14-week run at the top. The reworked version of his 1974 song about Marilyn Monroe was adapted as a tribute to Princess Diana following her death and released to support charitable causes. The single topped charts in more than 20 countries, became the best-selling single in UK chart history and sold an estimated 33 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
- During the second of two concerts at Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, Elton John invited comedian Jim Carrey onto the stage, in the presence of Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley, for an unexpected duet of “Rocket Man”. Carrey wore one of Elton’s distinctive red Versace jackets, alternated vocals with him, and harmonized; while singing, he improvised the line “a long, long time” as “friggin' forever”. After the performance, he sat down at the piano and struck his head against the keys.
- Elton John reached No. 1 on the British singles chart with "Are You Ready For Love". The song was recorded in 1977 and released in 1979, when it reached No. 42. It was later used in Sky TV advertisements for the new football season.
- Elton John took "Are You Ready for Love" to No. 1 on the UK singles chart. The song was originally released in 1979 but was later remixed by DJ Ashley Beedle and re-released.
- On July 29, 1990, Elton John officially registered and was admitted to Parkside Lutheran Hospital in Chicago.
- Elton John released the album "Sleeping With the Past", one of the albums commemorated as part of the musical anniversaries for August 29.
- Elton John reached No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with “I Don't Wanna' Go On With You Like That”. Steve Winwood spent his fourth week at No. 1 with “Roll With It”. George Michael moved from No. 8 to No. 2 with “Monkey”, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine were at No. 3, and Elton John also had “I Don't Wanna' Go On With You Like That” at No. 4. Chicago were at No. 5, Breathe at No. 6, Terence Trent D'Arby at No. 8, and “Sweet Child O' Mine” by Guns N' Roses and “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman entered the Top 10.
- Elton John had 2,000 items of his personal possessions auctioned at Sotheby's in London. The auction raised $6.2 million and included feather boas, hundreds of pairs of glasses and the giant "Pinball Wizard" boots he wore in the film "Tommy", which sold for $20,000.
- Elton John's album "Leather Jackets" reached No. 1 on the UK chart.
- Elton John, David Lee Roth, and Cher appeared on the premiere broadcast of The Late Show with Joan Rivers.