Elton John’s Triumph in Mexico Through the Eyes of Patty Perrin
A conversation with Patty Perrin about Elton John’s history in Mexico, the October 2026 concerts, the fan community, and the legacy of an artist who continues to bring generations together.
Introduction
When Elton John returned to Mexico on October 2 and 3, 2026, performing at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City, many people had already given up hope that it would ever happen.
These were his first concerts in the country in 14 years. His previous performances had taken place in 2012 at the Auditorio Nacional, alongside percussionist Ray Cooper. The pandemic had left Latin America off his farewell tour. The two October shows were announced as a special event, with a setlist designed with Mexican fans in mind. On the second night, Elton opened with “Funeral for a Friend” and thanked the audience for the love and support they had shown him throughout his career.
To understand what this reunion meant, I wanted to talk to someone who has been following this story from the inside.
Patty Perrin is Mexican, lives in Mexico City, and is one of the administrators of the Elton John México group on Facebook. She is also part of the Eltonite’s Day honor roll on the AllSongsList blog, where she represents Mexico.
Outside of music, Patty is an actress in La Dama de Negro, a play that has been running in the Mexican capital since February 17, 1994, and that local media describe as the longest-running production in the city’s theater scene.
In a country that waited 14 years for this moment, the people who keep the fan community alive play a special role. Bringing fans together, sharing information, welcoming younger generations, and preserving memories of past concerts are all part of a job that goes far beyond individual enthusiasm.
What follows is more than just a Q&A. It’s a conversation between two fans who follow Elton from different parts of the world. I’ve been following him from Brazil since 1984, while Patty experienced these two nights firsthand in Mexico City.
This interview with Patty Perrin about Elton John’s return to Mexico is available in both English and Spanish.
If you’d like to read the Spanish version, you can find it here:
https://eltonjohnspics.blogspot.com/2026/10/el-triunfo-de-elton-john-en-mexico.html
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The Interview
1 Discovering Elton John’s Music for the First Time
Robson Vianna:
Patty, before we talk about the concerts, I want to understand your journey as a fan from the very beginning, because everyone discovers Elton in a different way.
For me, admiration starts with an album, a song we hear at just the right moment, or someone introducing us to the music.
What year did you first discover Elton John’s music? What was the first record of his that you bought, and what format was it: vinyl, cassette, or CD? How did you get into his music—through the radio, a family member, or a friend? And what took you from discovering a song to listening to a whole album and developing the admiration you feel for him today?
Patty Perrin:
The first time I really paid attention to Elton John’s music was in 1975. My cousin Javier Zavala, who was already a huge Elton fan, was listening to Elton’s cover of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”
Since I’ve always been a fan of The Beatles too, I asked him who had dared to cover the song and, more importantly, how he had managed to do such an amazing job with it. He answered, “It’s Elton John.”
I already knew who Elton was, but I’d never really paid attention to his music before. From that moment on, I was completely hooked.
I remember buying that single on vinyl right away—a 45 rpm record—and later getting the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road LP on vinyl. That was when I truly realized he was a musical genius. I also loved his outrageous outfits because I found them so much fun.
After that, I bought the rest of his albums on vinyl LP, from Elton John through Rock of the Westies, because Empty Sky didn’t become available in Mexico until many years later.
That’s how I became a fan. Every song seemed incredible to me, and I was fascinated by his voice and the way he performed from beginning to end.
2. Elton John’s Most Popular Songs in Mexico
Robson Vianna:
Elton isn’t a new artist to Mexican audiences. He played at Estadio Azteca in 1992 and returned in 2012 to perform at the Auditorio Nacional with Ray Cooper.
Something that has always intrigued me is how every country discovers Elton through a different song. In the United States and the UK, it was “Your Song,” which made the top 10 in 1971. In Japan, it was “It’s Me That You Need,” a 1969 single that didn’t take off in England but became a big hit there two years later.
In Germany, “Your Song” didn’t even make the charts, and Elton’s first top 10 hit came with “Crocodile Rock” in 1972. In South Africa, “Crocodile Rock” reached No. 6 and “Daniel” reached No. 7. In Australia, “Your Song” peaked at No. 11, just missing the top 10.
In Brazil, it was “Skyline Pigeon,” which became hugely popular thanks to a television soap opera. Elton himself has said that Brazil was the only place where the song became a hit.
What about Mexico? Which Elton songs are the biggest hits in your country—the ones everyone knows, even people who aren’t fans—and which one is the biggest of them all? Was that the song that first introduced Mexican audiences to Elton? And was it also the song that got the biggest sing-along from the crowd at Estadio Banorte?
Patty Perrin:
Although Elton John has had several hits in Mexico, I’d say the most popular ones are “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” which was a huge hit on the radio and the song that introduced Elton to most Mexican audiences; “Nikita,” a favorite for many people; “Rocket Man”; and “Sacrifice.”
Other songs that got a lot of airplay back in the day and were very well received here include “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Your Song,” “Bennie and the Jets,” “Friends,” “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” “The One,” “Made in England,” and “Crystal.” Adolfo Fernández Zepeda, a radio host on Radio Universal, once admitted on air that “Crystal” was his favorite Elton song.
Of course, there are also “Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” since The Lion King is one of the Mexican audience’s favorite movies.
There are many more, but I think those are the most popular and representative songs, and the ones that have been played most often on Mexican radio.
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3 How Elton John’s Legacy Stayed Alive in Mexico
Robson Vianna:
After 2012, Elton went 14 years without performing in Mexico. The pandemic also kept Latin America off his farewell tour, something he himself said he regretted.
But being absent from the stage doesn’t mean being absent from people’s lives.
I think back to the 1970s, when Elton’s image played a huge role in his fame. He looked like an alien, with his glasses, outfits, and over-the-top style that made magazine covers. Back then, magazines were one of the main sources of information about artists.
What kept Elton John alive in the hearts of Mexican fans over the decades? Was it his image, radio, television, or his records? And what has changed since then?
Patty Perrin:
It was a combination of everything.
Elton’s music has always been on Mexican radio, more at some times than others. His looks have always caught people’s attention, and we still see him and hear his music on music channels.
He’s always been around in one way or another because great music, like his, always has a place, especially among his fans, who are always keeping up with his latest news.
4. The Concert Announcement and the Audience’s Reaction
Robson Vianna:
When the concerts were announced in July, I have to admit I had my doubts.
They were two consecutive shows at a stadium that, following its renovation, has a capacity of 90,000 people. I didn’t think it would be possible to draw crowds that large for two shows, especially with Elton no longer at the peak of his career. If those expectations were proven wrong, it says a lot about how he’s viewed in Mexico.
How did you hear the news? What was the fans’ reaction at the time, and what was the audience like on both nights?
Patty Perrin:
I remember that this time we found out about his concerts through social media. All we saw was a photo of a piano with a pair of striking pink glasses on top, next to a sign that simply read, “Coming Soon. Estadio Banorte.”
Of course, we all knew right away it was Elton, and the excitement was incredible. Comments and speculation started flying around, and shortly afterward, the dates, times, and presale details were officially announced.
Personally, I thought scheduling two consecutive nights at such an enormous stadium was a bold move. But, as always, the fans came through right away.
This time, the generations who had already seen him perform returned, but younger fans and children who had never had that opportunity joined them, too.
The response and enthusiasm were just as strong as at his previous concerts, although this time we saw many more people wearing Elton’s classic ’70s outfits. They were two unforgettable and deeply nostalgic nights.
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5. The Audience
Robson Vianna:
On October 2 and 3, Mexico City waited for Elton to take the stage, with rain falling again during the concerts. The press also reported difficulties getting into the stadium.
I always say that waiting in line is part of the concert experience, for better or worse.
Were you at the stadium both nights? What was it like getting there, the atmosphere outside, the access problems, and the moment the lights went out?
Patty Perrin:
This time, the concerts were organized by a different company from the one that had brought Elton to Mexico before. Unfortunately, that led to a lot of organizational problems, which Elton himself could see from the stage when some people entered areas they weren’t supposed to be in.
Fortunately, things didn’t get any worse, largely thanks to the artist himself stepping in.
But the truth is that none of those issues, the rain, the high ticket prices for most people, or the traffic getting to the venue affected the joy, excitement, and incredible response from the audience on both nights.
That said, many people missed out on getting a souvenir because there were very few merchandise stands, and many fans were too far away from them. The heavy rain made it difficult for people to get over to the stands.
Even so, overall, it was a fantastic experience.
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6. The Setlist and the Songs Mexican Fans Were Hoping to Hear
Robson Vianna:
Elton announced that these concerts would feature a setlist designed specifically for Mexican fans, different from the one he performed on his farewell tour.
From what I read, he performed “Bennie and the Jets,” “The One,” “Honky Cat,” and “Rocket Man,” opened the second set with “Candle in the Wind,” and closed with “Your Song,” the very song that launched him onto the world stage.
Was that really what you and the fans were hoping for? Were any songs missing, or could some of the songs have been replaced? Which song would you take off the setlist, and which one would you put in its place?
Patty Perrin:
Based on the setlist I shared earlier, it’s clear that many of the songs that were hits in Mexico were left out.
Most people were hoping to hear “Nikita,” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” and, above all, songs from The Lion King: “Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
Honestly, I think there was very little difference between what Elton performed earlier in Brazil and what we heard in Mexico.
As a fan, I wouldn’t have taken anything he performed off the setlist, but I would have loved for him to include those other four songs so we could really feel that he had the Mexican audience in mind.
- Elton John’s Voice in 2026
Robson Vianna:
I published an article discussing the concert and Elton’s voice today because I’d read so many comments about it in the posts, and I thought it was a topic worth discussing with someone who was actually there.
At 79, he’s still performing, and everyone hears his voice in their own way.
How did you find Elton’s voice on those two nights? What differences did you notice compared to 1992 or 2012, if you attended those concerts, and how did he handle the show as his voice and abilities changed over the years?
Patty Perrin:
Despite the passage of time, I think Elton’s voice has remained practically flawless, unlike that of some other singers from his generation.
His mobility may not be what it once was, but his impact on the audience hasn’t changed at all.
Elton is, and always will be, a legend. His vocal tone and his performances are always extraordinary.
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- Elton John Mexico: The Fan Community
Robson Vianna:
You’re one of the admins of the Elton John México group on Facebook, and I’d like to learn more about the story behind it.
I think a group like this comes from a need to bring people together, especially those who didn’t have anyone to talk to about Elton.
How did the group get started, when did you take over as an admin, and what motivated you?
Patty Perrin:
Obviously, my biggest motivation was my admiration for Elton and my desire to find other people who followed him, too.
I originally started the group as a Yahoo page, which was the biggest platform back then. When that space was discontinued, I moved the group to Facebook, where it now has more than 10,000 followers.
I can’t remember the exact date I started it, but it was around the time of Elton’s first concert in Mexico, on November 13, 1992, during the The One tour. The concert took place at the same stadium as this year’s show, which was known back then as Estadio Azteca but was renamed Estadio Banorte for commercial reasons.
And here we are, still going strong with Elton John México!
- Younger Generations and Elton John’s Music
Robson Vianna:
I saw a lot of young fans in the photos and on social media from these concerts, and I have to admit, I don’t quite understand what draws them to this music.
I’ve seen a lot of people under 30 listening to music from the ’70s, like Alice Cooper and Peter Frampton. I often tell them that back in the ’70s, I wasn’t listening to music from 30 years earlier. At most, I’d listen to some Elvis-era music, but never anything from Nat King Cole’s time, who, in my opinion, was the first major music star.
It’s as if music didn’t exist before him, and that makes me feel like I’m from prehistoric times, haha.
Joking aside, what do you think explains this phenomenon? Do you see younger fans in your group? What attracts this generation to Elton?
Patty Perrin:
Deep down, young people recognize that music from the ’60s through the ’90s is amazing, and they connect with it just as we do, because of its rhythms, melodies, and lyrics.
And when they discover Elton’s ’70s looks, they get even more excited. Quite a few of them grew up listening to him because their parents or grandparents played his music around them.
Great music always finds its way to new generations, without a doubt.
Elton John México has people of all ages and from different countries, and it’s wonderful to know that what brings us together is the music of an artist we all admire so much.
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- Theater, The Woman in Black, and Elton John’s Influence
Robson Vianna:
You’re an actress in The Woman in Black, which has been running since 1994, and local media reports that you’ve played the character for three decades.
I’ve always thought that Elton’s theatricality, his piano playing, his stage presence, and the way he interacts with the audience have a lot in common with theater.
I’d love to hear about your career: how you got started in theater, what led you to this production, what it’s like to play a character for so many years, and how acting and Elton’s music intersect in your life.
Patty Perrin:
It’s true. I’ve been performing in The Woman in Black continuously for 32 years. We premiered on February 17, 1994, to be exact.
I believe all forms of artistic expression are connected, especially theater and concerts, because both involve a live audience, and any mistake or unexpected situation has to be handled on the spot. You need to know how to captivate the audience so their minds don’t wander elsewhere.
Elton’s theatricality has always been obvious. And now, even though he doesn’t wear spectacular costumes, all the experience he’s gained onstage allows him to command his audience completely through his performances.
In my case, playing the same character for so long has taught me that the experience is never exactly the same. There are always variables, starting with the fact that the audience changes every time. That makes each performance a unique experience.
No two performances are ever alike, just as no two concerts are ever the same, even when the same play or songs are performed.
As a fun fact, on a few occasions, we’ve raised money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation during our performances.
Elton and other great musicians and performers will always be an inspiration to me.
In fact, I originally wanted to be a singer more than an actress, but life eventually led me to theater, which, along with music, is another thing I’m passionate about.
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DynBtGVE6/
11. Mexico in the International Eltonites Community
Robson Vianna:
The AllSongsList blog maintains an honor roll of Eltonites from around the world, and you represent Mexico on that list.
I think seeing your country’s name there is a form of recognition from the community.
How did you become part of this international community, and what does it mean to you to represent Mexico on that list?
Patty Perrin:
You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I didn’t even know I was on that list! That makes it twice as much of an honor!
All I can say is that Mexico has always loved Elton John.
I don’t consider myself anything special. I simply felt the desire to do my part, in whatever way I could, to spread the word about, support, and celebrate Elton’s music because I think it’s wonderful.
I don’t think I’m the one who put Mexico on that list. Rather, I believe Mexico deserves to be there in its own right because of how much people here have loved Elton for so many years.
And I think selling out the enormous Estadio Banorte two nights in a row is solid proof of that.
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12. Patty Perrin’s Favorite Elton John Songs
Robson Vianna:
Elton has an enormous catalog, and every fan has their favorites, which are rarely the ones you hear on the radio.
I have my own favorites, and I’d love to know yours.
What are your favorite Elton songs? And is there a lesser-known track, one that flew under the radar with the general public, that you wish more people would listen to?
Patty Perrin:
Among the well-known songs, I’d definitely have to mention “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” “The One,” “Made in England,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word,” “Club at the End of the Street,” “Live Like Horses” — I prefer the solo version with Elton — and “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy,” among many others.
As for the lesser-known songs that I think people should discover because they’re great in their own way, and that I personally love, I’d mention “Sails,” “Skyline Pigeon,” “I Think I’m Going to Kill Myself,” “Hercules,” “Midnight Creeper,” “High Flying Bird,” “We All Fall in Love Sometimes,” “Tonight,” “Religion,” “Cry to Heaven,” “Hoop of Fire,” “Whispers,” “Stone’s Throw from Hurtin’,” “The North,” “Man,” “Blessed,” “Recover Your Soul,” “The Wasteland,” “They Call Her the Cat,” and “And the House Fell Down.”
Out of such a huge number of songs, these are at least some that I really wish more people would get to know.
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- Elton John’s Musical Future and the Projects Patty Dreams of Hearing
Robson Vianna:
I think Elton left some different musical directions unexplored throughout his career.
If I could make one suggestion, it would be a completely instrumental album. He’s so versatile, and an instrumental record would be really interesting, with the piano front and center and no vocals.
He’s already dabbled in hip-hop, like his collaboration with Young Thug and Nicki Minaj on “Always Love You,” from the album The Lockdown Sessions.
In 2025, he released Who Believes in Angels? with Brandi Carlile, an album that received a Grammy nomination. There’s also information attributed to Bernie Taupin suggesting that a solo album featuring new material could come out in early 2027, although Elton hasn’t personally confirmed it yet.
With all that in mind, let your imagination run wild: What other musical directions would you like to see Elton explore, whether it’s an instrumental album, hip-hop, or another style? And what are you hoping to see from him next?
Patty Perrin:
Well, as a Mexican woman, just letting myself dream, I’d love to hear a Volume 2 of Duets, but this time featuring Hispanic singers and musicians. I think that would be really interesting to hear.
And for the nostalgia factor, just like Live in Australia, I would’ve loved for him to release a Live in Mexico. Can you imagine?
But whatever he does, I’ll always think it’s great, simply because he’s great.?
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14. Elton John and His Place Among the World’s Greatest Artists
Robson Vianna:
In every country, certain international artists hold a special place in the hearts of the public.
Thinking about Mexican audiences, which other international stars would you compare to Elton in terms of the love and loyalty they receive from their fans?
And I want to ask you this directly because I’d really love to hear your opinion: Has Elton become the Frank Sinatra of our time, an artist who spans generations and becomes synonymous with an entire era?
Patty Perrin:
In Mexico, Elton John is often compared to a local musician named Aleks Syntek, which I think is a mistake musically speaking. The comparison came about because he started wearing outrageous glasses and because he’s a keyboardist and songwriter.
He’s certainly not a bad musician, but his style doesn’t seem anything like Elton’s to me.
Interestingly, I also have to mention my friend, producer Antonio Calvo, because he’s a great musician.
In fact, we worked together on a musical here in Mexico based on the magician Houdini, called Houdini, la Magia del Amor. He composed the music, and I wrote the lyrics. In a way, I was his Bernie Taupin, haha.
I actually told him that some of his melodies had a sound that reminded me of Elton.
He’s nowhere near the most famous musician in this country, but he’s the closest thing to Elton I’ve heard in Mexico so far.
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15. The Memories and Collectibles That Make a Fan’s Life Special
Robson Vianna:
Every fan has something they wouldn’t trade for anything: an album, a photo, a ticket, or an item connected to a concert.
I’ve been collecting things for so many years myself, so I know how much history these objects can hold.
What’s the collectible or keepsake you treasure the most, and what memory will you take away from these two nights at Estadio Banorte?
Patty Perrin:
I think the most precious thing I have is the little ticket stub from the first Elton concert I attended in Mexico, on November 13, 1992, because it was the first time I was ever in the same place as him.
But something interesting happened during that very visit. Maru Iniestra, who was a radio host at Radio 590 La Pantera at the time, called me to explain that nobody at the station was available to cover Elton’s press conference and asked who better to do it than me.
So I rushed over like crazy to get there on time, and I finally found myself just a few feet away from him. I couldn’t believe it, and I even got to ask him a question.
I remember wearing my EltonJohn.com T-shirt. More than anything, I wanted him to speak directly to me, even if it was just for a few seconds.
That will always be my favorite memory of Elton.
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16. What It Means to Be an Eltonite Today
Robson Vianna:
For Mexico, Elton’s farewell has only just arrived, more than three years after the end of his world tour, which wrapped up in 2023.
After all this time and everything you’ve experienced, what does being an Eltonite mean to you today? And what do you think fans in other countries can learn from the way Mexicans celebrate Elton?
Patty Perrin:
Being an Eltonite is something to be proud of. It’s a way of belonging, in a sense, to a community of people who love his music.
We Mexicans are always loud and love to party, so that’s how we express our admiration for him.
For us, it’s always a celebration when he comes to town for a concert, releases a new album, or even when we simply hear the latest news about him.
He’s deeply loved and admired even more.
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17. A Message to Mexico and to Elton John
Robson Vianna:
To wrap things up, I’m giving you the floor, so feel free to talk about anything I haven’t asked you.
What message would you like to share with the Mexican fans who experienced these two nights, and with Elton himself, in case he reads this conversation?
Patty Perrin:
I just ask Mexico never to forget good music and, of course, Elton John’s music.
I hope people will dare to explore his less popular songs so they can truly appreciate the full extent of his talent. I hope they’ll keep listening to him so that new generations can continue discovering him and singing his songs.
And I hope they never forget to show Elton John that he’ll always have a special place in Mexico as the great artist he has always been.
And finally, I’d like to say to the man who gave us “...and you can tell everybody this is your song”:
“...and you can tell everybody this is your country.”
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My sincere thanks to Patty Perrin for sharing her memories, insights, and love for Elton John with us. This conversation has been a wonderful reminder of how music connects generations, crosses borders, and creates bonds that last a lifetime. Through Patty’s words, we get a glimpse of the special place Elton holds in the hearts of Mexican fans and the lasting impact of his extraordinary legacy. May his music continue to inspire, unite, and bring joy to fans around the world for generations to come.
Robson Vianna
#EltonJohn #EltonJohnMexico #FarewellToMexico #EstadioBanorte #PattyPerrin #Eltonites #LaDamaDeNegro #EltonJohnFans
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