Sir Elton John’s music celebrated in set of Royal Mail stamps | Ents & Arts News

Rock legend Sir Elton John features on a new set of Royal Mail stamps to celebrate his contribution to music.

The singer-songwriter is only the second individual music artist to be given such an honour, with David Bowie featuring in 2017.

Eight of the Sir Elton stamps feature images of some of his most popular album covers.

They include his 1972 breakthrough record Honky Chateau which features the track Rocket Man.

The album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road which features the songs Candle In The Wind, Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting and Bennie And The Jets, is also celebrated.

Caribou, which is best known for The Bitch Is Back and Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, is another one of the albums that features on one of the stamps.

Also commemorated is Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy from 1975, which features Someone Saved My Life Tonight, with its cover designed by Gianni Versace.

The albums Made In England and Songs From The West Coast also appear.

A further four stamps, available in a miniature sheet, celebrate Sir Elton’s live performances across five decades.

They include images from the Hammersmith Odeon in London in 1973, the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1975, the Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace in London in 2012, and from his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2018.

Sir Elton, who was knighted in 1998, said: “To say I was surprised when Royal Mail got in touch is an understatement.

“Never did I think I’d appear on a stamp…! It’s wonderful, a great honour.”

Philip Parker, of Royal Mail, said: “Elton is one of the most successful British solo artists of all time. He has recorded some of the best-known songs in pop history such as Candle In The Wind and Rocket Man.

“Our stamps issued today showcase some of his most iconic albums, and celebrate his fantastic musical contribution.”

The stamps and a range of collectable products are available now.