The Rocket Man landed at Madison Square Garden on the night of his 60th birthday Sunday which also marked his 60th performance at the Garden - more times than any single artist.
Elton was introduced by fellow baby-boomer icon Bill Clinton, who congratulated the singer on "joining my favorite club — the 60-year-olds."
Elton let loose a string of golden oldies, beginning with, fittingly, "SixtyYears On" and the title track from "Madman Across the Water." The set list was filled with such fan favorites as "Levon" and "Daniel."
After his performance, Elton was joined on stage by Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams, who provided a cheeky tribute. Noting John's understated dress, Williams quipped that the singer "used to make Liberace look Amish." Then another surprise guest appeared: John's partner in music for 40 years, Bernie Taupin, and he led the audience in singing "Happy Birthday to You."
The concert will be broadcast April 5 on MyNetworkTV. The two-hour special, "Happy Birthday Elton," also will feature celebrity interviews.
The concert came the day after a Saturday night black tie affair, hosted by Elton's hubby David Furnish, held at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in uptown Manhattan. The guest list was high-wattage: musicians Tony Bennett, Lou Reed, Brian Wilson, Bette Midler, Mary J. Blige, Yoko Ono, Kid Rock, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, James Blunt, and Ozzy Osbourne; actors Richard Gere and wife Carey Lowell, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan, Kiefer Sutherland, Liv Tyler, Anne Hathaway and Chloe Sevigny; designers Donna Karan and Donatella Versace; media personalities Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters; and tennis great Billie Jean King who has been Elton's close friend for more than 35 years..
Furnish introduced a tribute of film clips with messages from singers Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart and Celine Dion; actors Jim Carrey and Billy Connolly; and designer Tom Ford.