Elton John Ends Feud with Madonna After AIDS Tribute Concert
Elton John finally ended a feud between him and Madonna that lasted for several years. The 76-year-old legend posted a glowing comment using his Instagram account last Thursday, praising the 65-year-old queen of pop for her tribute to AIDS victims. The post marked the first time that Elton reached out to Madonna in almost ten years.
Elton’s post read, “We’re deeply moved by the heartfelt tribute from @madonna during her Celebration Tour performance of “Live to Tell,” honoring the 40.4 million people we’ve lost to AIDS. Thank you, Madonna, for your advocacy and compassion and for raising important awareness of the ongoing mission to end AIDS.”
Further into his social media post, he wrote, “With 39 million people living with HIV today, 9.4 million of whom are not currently on life-saving treatment, we must keep using our voices and platforms to ensure everyone has the opportunity to live full and healthy lives.”
Recall that during Madonna’s Celebration Tour, she gave a performance of “Live to Tell.” While performing, there was a moving slideshow behind her that featured photos from The AIDS Memorial’s Instagram account.
Among the people in the slideshow were Madonna’s friends Cookie Mueller, Freddie Mercury, and Martin Burgoyne. At the end of her performance, the slideshow ended with a strong and compassionate message that read, “In loving memory of all the bright lights we lost to AIDS.”
It isn’t clear if Madonna noticed Elton’s comment on her post. Until now, she has not reacted publicly to the feedback of the English singer.
Aside from Elton, the “Papa Don’t Preach” hitmaker was also praised by The AIDS Memorial in a separate post. Unknown to many, Madonna has been a longtime ally and supporter of the advocacy group and the LGBT community.
The organization’s lengthy post started with, “During the 1980s and 1990s, millions of lives were lost to the AIDS epidemic, with a significant number of victims experiencing destitution and abandonment by their families. This devastating crisis turned cities into graveyards, erasing entire generations.”
It went on to say, “Since day one, @Madonna has been an ally in raising awareness and mobilizing resources during the AIDS crisis. In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, amid the peak of the epidemic, Madonna stood out as one of the few visiting hospitals in downtown New York where countless AIDS patients faced solitary deaths.”
The AIDS Memorial went on to describe how Madonna was a source of solace when even doctors were hesitant about touching AIDS patients. The performer was a beacon of light and comfort who embraced and even stayed with some patients until their final moments so they wouldn’t have to face death alone.
Madonna, who is experiencing health issues of her own, is only in the first two weeks of her 78-date world tour. She has admitted to feeling unwell after catching a bacterial infection that forced her to reschedule her concert.
She made her comeback this October in London at the O2 Arena where she will continue performing until next year. In the next few months, she will be traveling to Europe and the UK where some of her concert dates have already sold out.
