Elton John at iTunes fest: 'Magical to be alive'

[September 14, 2013]  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 shoutout 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.

[Associated Press]

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