Elton John at iTunes fest: 'Magical to be alive'
After a health scare, Elton John is back in flamboyant form at iTunes Festival in London
Elton John performs at the Roundhouse in London as part of the iTunes Festival, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013. (Photo by Jim Ross/Invision/AP)
LONDON (AP) -- Sir Elton John showed the iTunes generation just how it's done.
Sporting a sequin-encrusted tailcoat, the five-time Grammy award winner gave a slick, flamboyant performance Thursday night at the iTunes Festival in London, mixing new material with longtime crowd pleasers including "Rocket Man," ''I'm Still Standing" and "Tiny Dancer."
Following a recent health scare with appendicitis, the 66-year-old musician told the crowd "this is a magical time to be alive."
He says "I love music now more than I ever did."
He also gave a shout out to singer Harry Styles in the audience, saying "I love One Direction!" — before closing with "Your Song," a tribute to his partner David Furnish.
John's new album, "The Diving Board," is being released Sept. 24.
The iTunes Festival continues until Sept. 30.
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iTunes is owned by Apple Inc.
