The music world has reacted to the passing of The Queen, with artists Elton John, Duran Duran and Mick Jagger leading salutes to the “beloved grandmother of the nation.”
Elton John, Mick Jagger and Duran Duran are among those musicians who’ve paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, following the monarch’s death at age 96 earlier today. The Queen, who was Britain’s longest-serving monarch at the time of her passing, has long been a muse for some of the country’s most prolific artists, who’ve taken to social media in her honour throughout the day.
Sir Elton John, who was knighted by Elizabeth in 1998, posted an Instagram detailing his sadness “along with the rest of the nation,” before describing the monarch as “an inspiring presence to be around.” “[She] led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth,” the post read “I will miss her dearly.”
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Elsewhere, The Beatles frontman and fellow knighted musician Sir Paul McCartney likewise expressed his condolences and reminisced on the “honour” of his knighthood in 1997. “I said [to the Queen], ‘We’ve got to stop meeting like this!’” McCartney jokingly recalled of his multiple interactions with Elizabeth, “And she went, ‘What?’”.
For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has always been there. In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the Royal family. pic.twitter.com/3JLILZDKwK
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) September 8, 2022
In their tribute, English rock band Duran Duran deemed Elizabeth “an extraordinary example to the world,” and described her death as “an end [to] a long and unique chapter in the history of the United Kingdom and the world.” Mick Jagger, meanwhile, sent his well-wishes to the Royal family, after fondly recalling memories of “watching [Elizabeth’s] wedding highlights on TV.” “[She was] the much beloved grandmother of the nation,” Jagger wrote.
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In shorter messages, Ozzy Osbourne and Liam Gallagher also paid tribute, with the former saying that the “the thought of England without Queen Elizabeth II” is “devastating,” and the latter simply writing “gutted.” Across the pond, Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks, and Nicki Minaj led salutes from American musicians, while — in a more lighthearted tribute — Lil Nas X used the moment to cheekily lament “having a fat ass.” See some of the musicians who paid tribute to Her Majesty below.
I mourn with my country the passing of our greatest Queen. With a heavy heart I say it is devastating the thought of England without Queen Elizabeth II pic.twitter.com/JZYXGRz2hb
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) September 8, 2022
Gutted
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) September 8, 2022
— Stevie Nicks (@StevieNicks) September 8, 2022
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RIP, QUEEN https://t.co/aOv8ButbUT
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 8, 2022
rip to the queen but i can’t stop having a fat ass https://t.co/MDDRzylmb2
— NASARATI (@LilNasX) September 8, 2022
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