All together now

Few musical duos have been as blisteringly successful or pleasingly enduring as Bernard Taupin and Reginald Dwight. Brought together in 1967, the lyricist and singer — soon to become known as Elton John — co-wrote an extraordinary roster of songs. To mark the Rocket Man’s last ever concert we’ve visualised the pair’s biggest live hits (see p16).

As a couple of editors who’ve worked together for over 20 years, we are very much in favour of double acts and partnerships. We love the fact that Robin F Williams paired with Pace Prints to produce Matched, our beautiful cover art, to raise money for causes she believes in (see p4). We had a blast teaming up with Carol Adlam to tell the fascinating tale of Saddam Hussein’s supergun project (see p80). And we very much appreciated collaborating with non-profit news organisation The New Humanitarian to report on the aftermath of the deadly floods in Libya (p106).

But the course of relationships does not always run smooth. Take that between farmers and rewilders in Europe, bitterly divided over the reintroduction of sheep-bothering wolves to the continent (p96). Or between Woking, the UK’s most indebted local authority, and its residents, whose services will shortly be cut to the bone (p18). Or between the new breed of extreme longevity enthusiasts and the inconvenient fact of their own mortality (p68).

Our favourite partnership, naturally, is with our readers. Your support makes possible, and we are forever grateful for it.
We hope you enjoy the issue.

Rob and Marcus, Editors

Posted on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 - Categories: #52 - Jul-Sep 2023, App Issues.