Photo credit:  1954: American film star Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962). (Photo by Baron/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

 

Sir Elton John is loaning three images of Marilyn Monroe to the Victoria and Albert Museum for its forthcoming exhibition ‘Fragile Beauty.’ The photographs include one by American photographer Bert Stern from his shoots for Vogue, titled “The Last Sitting”, which showed Monroe just two months before she died in 1962.

One of the other pictures is one of late photographer Richard Avedon’s most memorable shots, showing Monroe looking distant with her eyes lowered. The third contribution is Eve Arnold’s portrait of Monroe rehearsing her lines on the set of her final film, 1961’s ‘The Misfits’ with Clark Gable, who died before its release.

The exhibit will explore themes such as fashion, celebrity, the male body, and American photography. Elton John wrote one of his most famous songs, “Candle in the Wind”, as a tribute to Monroe.

While the original version of “Candle in the Wind” was released in 1973 on Elton John’s album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” it was the reworking of the song in 1997 that catapulted it into the annals of music history. In the wake of the tragic death of Princess Diana, Elton John, along with Bernie Taupin, felt compelled to pay tribute to the beloved princess, who had been a close friend. They decided to rework “Candle in the Wind” to honor her memory.

The Performance: On September 6, 1997, Elton John delivered a heart-wrenching rendition of “Candle in the Wind” at Princess Diana’s funeral, held at Westminster Abbey. Dressed in black and seated at his piano, Elton’s performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. His voice cracked with emotion as he sang the poignant lyrics, capturing the collective grief of millions around the world.

The Impact: Elton John’s performance of “Candle in the Wind” at Princess Diana’s funeral became an indelible moment in music history. The song, which had originally been written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, now became synonymous with Princess Diana herself. The reworked version of the song, titled “Candle in the Wind 1997,” was released as a single shortly after the funeral and became one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Legacy: The legacy of “Candle in the Wind” extends far beyond its chart-topping success. It serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of music to evoke emotion, unite people, and pay tribute to those we’ve lost. Whether it’s Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, or any other individual who has left an indelible mark on the world, “Candle in the Wind” stands as a timeless tribute to their memory.