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This was published 3 years ago

Elton John pays touching tribute to George Michael at Glastonbury

Jemima Skelley
Jemima Skelley

Elton John took a moment during his set at Glastonbury to pay tribute to the late icon George Michael, on what would have been his 60th birthday.

The British rocker called the Wham! star "one of Britain's most fantastic singers, songwriters, and artist".

A picture of Michael appeared on the screens behind him, creating a touching moment during the singer's set.

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Watch the video above.

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Elton John headlined night three of the iconic Glastonbury festival in the UK. Leon Neal/Getty Images

"I want to dedicate this song to his memory," said John, before launching into Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me.

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The song, originally released by John in 1974, was rereleased as a duet featuring both John and Michael in 1991.

Elton John and George Michael performing together at LiveAid in 1985. YouTube

"George Michael, my friend, my inspiration," John told the roaring Glastonbury crowd. "All of the music he left us with, which is so gorgeous. This is for you, George."

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The singer died from heart disease on Christmas Day in 2016 at the age of 53.

Elton John was one of the three headliners of this year's Glastonbury music festival, along with Arctic Monkeys and Gun N' Roses.

Elton John brought Rina Sawayama out on stage to perform 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' as a duet Leon Neal/Getty Images

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John's George Michael tribute wasn't the only talked-about moment of his set. Over the course of his two-hour set, John invited Brandon Flowers of The Killers, Jacob Lusk of Gabriels, Rina Sawayama, and Steven Sanchez on stage to perform with him.

At the beginning of his set, Elton also shocked fans by hinting that this "may" be his last ever performance in the UK.

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Fans were wowed by the huge crowd that gathered to watch Elton John's closing set at Glastonbury. Twitter

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Viewers who were watching along via the BBC stream of the show were stunned at the size of the crowd who showed up to see John perform, with many speculating that it was the biggest Glastonbury audience of all time.

When John toured Down Under earlier this year, fans were left furious when the singer cancelled his Auckland gig just 30 minutes before he was set to take the stage.

Severe flooding across the city forced him to cancel the performance, a spokesperson announcing to the stadium crowd that it was "far too dangerous" to go ahead.

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