In a heartwarming turn of events, two of music’s most iconic figures, Madonna and Elton John, have officially reconciled after a feud that spanned decades. The announcement, made in early April 2025, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, delighting fans who have long admired both artists. What’s more, the reconciliation comes with the promise of a collaboration set to take place later in 2025, a project that could redefine their legacies and bring their immense talents together for the first time.
As Elton John prepares for a busy year, including his highly anticipated Curebound Concert for Cures performance on May 9, 2025, at Petco Park in San Diego, this newfound harmony with Madonna adds an extra layer of excitement to his already remarkable career.
Elton John 2025 Tickets
The Feud That Defined a Generation
The tension between Madonna and Elton John began in the early 2000s, rooted in a mix of professional rivalry and personal jabs. Elton John, known for his sharp tongue, famously criticized Madonna’s use of lip-syncing during her 2004 Re-Invention Tour, calling her out at the Q Awards and suggesting she didn’t deserve a Best Live Act nomination. “Anyone who lip-syncs in public on stage when you pay £75 to see them should be shot,” he quipped, igniting a firestorm of controversy. Madonna, ever the provocateur, responded with a playful yet pointed retort, sending Elton a note that read, “Elton, I know you love me. Call me when you’re ready to apologize.”
Over the years, the feud escalated with Elton John taking further swipes, including a 2012 comment where he described Madonna’s career as “over” and her tour as a “disaster.” Madonna, for her part, maintained a relatively restrained stance, often choosing to rise above the fray rather than engage directly. Despite their mutual status as pop royalty—Madonna as the Queen of Pop and Elton John as a knighted legend—their rivalry became a tabloid staple, fueled by their larger-than-life personas and contrasting approaches to fame.
The Reconciliation: A Backstage Breakthrough
The turning point came on April 5, 2025, when Madonna visited Elton John backstage at his Saturday Night Live performance. In a candid Instagram post, Madonna shared the emotional details of their reunion: “We Finally Buried the Hatchet!!! I went to see
@eltonofficial perform on SNL this weekend!! WOW.” She described how Elton greeted her with an immediate apology—“Forgive me”—which melted the wall of resentment between them. “When I met him, the first thing out of his mouth was, ‘Forgive me,’ and the wall between us fell down,” Madonna wrote, highlighting the power of forgiveness in healing old wounds.
Elton John, who has mellowed in recent years following his retirement from touring in 2023, echoed her sentiments in his own statement, expressing gratitude for Madonna’s willingness to reconcile. The meeting wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it sparked inspiration. During their conversation, Elton reportedly offered Madonna a song and proposed a collaboration, an idea she enthusiastically accepted. Fans on social media erupted with excitement, with posts on X calling it “something that will blow up the internet” and a “legendary truce.”
Elton John’s 2025: A Year of Impact and Music
As this reconciliation unfolds, Elton John’s 2025 is shaping up to be a monumental year. Central to his schedule is the Curebound Concert for Cures, a benefit performance set for Friday, May 9, 2025, at 8:00 PM at Petco Park in San Diego, California. This event marks a rare return to the stage for Elton, who concluded his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in July 2023, vowing not to tour again. However, his commitment to philanthropy has drawn him back for this one-night-only concert, raising funds for innovative cancer research through Curebound, a San Diego-based nonprofit.
The Curebound Concert for Cures is no small affair. Held at Petco Park, where Elton last performed to a sold-out crowd of 40,000 in November 2022, the event promises “an extraordinary night of music, hope, and accelerated impact in the fight against cancer.” Tickets start at $300, with VIP packages reaching up to $75,000, reflecting the high stakes of the fundraiser. Since its inception in 2022, the concert series has raised over $8.5 million, and with Elton John headlining, it’s poised to break records as San Diego’s highest-grossing stadium show. As a cancer survivor himself—diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017—John’s participation carries personal weight, making this a cause close to his heart.
Adding to his 2025 itinerary, Elton John will also be celebrated through a tribute performance by Kenny Metcalf As Elton, scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at 8:00 PM at the Historic BAL Theatre in San Leandro, California. While not a performance by Elton himself, it underscores his enduring influence, with impersonators keeping his music alive for new audiences. Meanwhile, his collaboration with Brandi Carlile on the album Who Believes in Angels?, released on April 4, 2025, continues to garner acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for their song “Never Too Late.”
What to Expect from the Madonna-Elton John Collaboration
The prospect of a Madonna and Elton John collaboration is tantalizing for several reasons. Both artists bring distinct strengths to the table: Elton’s masterful piano skills and timeless melodies paired with Madonna’s boundary-pushing creativity and knack for reinvention. Their shared history—once a source of conflict—could now fuel a powerful narrative, blending their voices into a project that bridges generations.
Speculation is rife about the direction they might take. Will it be a duet steeped in nostalgia, revisiting their classic sounds, or a bold, modern track that reflects their evolution? Given Elton’s recent work with Carlile, which showcased his willingness to experiment, and Madonna’s track record of genre-defying hits, the collaboration could span anything from a heartfelt ballad to a dancefloor anthem. The timing aligns perfectly with Elton’s Curebound concert, raising the possibility that their joint effort might debut—or at least be teased—during that May 9 performance, tying it to a cause they both support.
Fans are already imagining the impact. “This is something that will blow up the internet,” one X user posted, while another noted, “They will, since on Instagram she explained how the truce happened—Elton offered her a song and asked her to collaborate.” The reconciliation itself is a story of redemption, but the music they create together could cement their legacies as artists who turned rivalry into unity.
The Bigger Picture: Legacy and Forgiveness
For Elton John and Madonna, both in their later years—John at 78 and Madonna at 66—this reconciliation is more than a publicity stunt; it’s a testament to growth. Elton, who became an EGOT winner in 2024 with an Emmy for his Farewell from Dodger Stadium special, has softened his once-combative edge, focusing on family and philanthropy. Madonna, still a cultural force after her 2023 Celebration Tour, has consistently preached empowerment and resilience. Their decision to “bury the hatchet” reflects a mutual recognition of their shared journey through fame’s highs and lows.
The Curebound Concert for Cures amplifies this narrative. Elton John’s return to Petco Park isn’t just a musical event; it’s a statement of purpose, raising funds for a disease that has touched both their lives—John as a survivor, and Madonna through her advocacy for health-related causes. Their collaboration, if timed with this event, could serve as a beacon of hope, proving that even the deepest divides can be bridged through art and compassion.
Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins
As Elton John prepares to take the stage on May 9, 2025, at Petco Park, the world watches with bated breath—not just for his performance, but for what his reconciliation with Madonna might bring. The Curebound Concert for Cures will undoubtedly be a highlight of his year, a night where his music heals both figuratively and literally. But the promise of a collaboration with Madonna adds an extra layer of anticipation, turning 2025 into a celebration of second chances and shared triumphs.
For fans, it’s a dream come true: two legends, once at odds, now united in harmony. Whether their project debuts at Petco Park or later in the year, one thing is clear—Madonna and Elton John are ready to make history together, proving that forgiveness, like music, is a powerful force.
