THERE are many words I have heard used to describe Sir Elton John in my time. Diva and flamboyant are two that spring to mind.
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However, one word I had never associated with the great man is humble.
But that's exactly how I would describe the 72-year-old after joining the 20,000 strong at Mt Duneed Estate near Geelong on Saturday for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
Perhaps the years have softened him, maybe fatherhood has made him change his ways.
Either way, he made a lasting impression on the crowd with his genuine appreciation for his long-time supporters and pitch perfect performance.
He quickly won over the crowd, which was a reflection of his ability to bring together people of all ages and from all walks of life.
Eclectic is how you would best describe the crowd and the three-hour set that ensued as the sun set over the estate.
The performance was also highly nostalgic, had a bit of whimsy and a healthy dose of self-deprecation on Sir Elton's part.
His choice to play Bennie and the Jets right off the bat got about half the crowd on their feet and by the end of the night there were very who remained seated (although one woman who appeared to sleep through the whole performance became a popular attraction for Instagram loving concert goers keen to capture the moment).
Sir Elton John's energy levels were not what you would typically imagine for someone who has reached "three score and 10".
He had few breaks and when he did he shared tidbits about his career and his long-serving band members.
The crowd cheered as he delivered a heartfelt performance of Candle in the Wind as photos of the late Marilyn Monroe flashed up on the screen.
If you closed your eyes you would believe you were listening to a perfectly edited version of Sir Elton's greatest hits - not a live performance in an open air venue.
But it was clear no on wanted to close their eyes for long.
Everyone wanted to take in the whole sensory experience - from the perfectly balanced sounds echoing from the stage to the visual masterpiece that flashed behind Sir Elton. The three large screens behind him alternated between calming vistas to photos capturing the Rocket Man himself at different stages of his career.
This reel of his life made it obvious that Sir Elton doesn't take himself too seriously.
Included were photos of when he appeared on shows such as The Simpsons and South Park.
About half-way through his set, Sir Elton paused to talk about his AIDS foundation.
He said it was one of his greatest legacies and he hoped to see the eradication of the disease in his lifetime.
Sir Elton also said the best thing he did was get sober and start a family of his own with husband David Furnish.
Another crowd favourite was Tiny Dancer. As the night neared its finish the crowd chanted Crocodile Rock. When he did finally play this cult-favourite, arms were raised in unison and the crowd went wild.
Sir Elton said he was grateful to the support he had received from Australians over the years.
When he left the stage, it was clear the crowd wanted more.
There was one last song they wanted to hear. Several minutes passed and the crowd began to shift as if accepting it wasn't to be.
But as people began to pick up their picnic chairs and slide on their shoes, he returned to sing Your Song.
His encore didn't disappoint.
As fans left the arena, words shared included "wow" and "he's still got it".
In what would have to be one of the greatest compliments, a couple said they saw him when he was 40 and said he was just as good - if not better - three decades later.
As the weary fans left the estate, Sir Elton left in a helicopter. Perhaps not the most humble form of transport, but the man is worth $500 million after all.
Sir Elton John may be calling time on his touring days, but it's pretty clear that there will come a day when we will realise that his candle will burn out long before his legend ever will.