Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s lyricist, shows his visual arts side at the Fairmont Pacific Rim

With Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour stopping in Vancouver this weekend (Sept. 21 & 22, as well as the 24th), we’re turning our attention to the singer’s long-time collaborator. From now until Oct. 6, the Fairmont Pacific Rim is showing art by John’s chief lyricist, Bernie Taupin.

The show represents the Western Canadian premiere of Reflections: The Art of Bernie Taupin, an exhibition featuring 25 works by the visual artist and world-renowned songwriter. Find out more below, including the specialty cocktails that the hotel’s mixologists have cooked up.

Besides writing lyrics for many of John’s biggest hits, Taupin is a lifelong visual artist. Reflections features original work created as a tribute to his 50-year partnership with the singer. Its subject matter is inspired by many of the hits that the two created together over their five decades of collaboration.

“I spend most of my free time creating visual art now, so I decided to create a body of work in honor of my other body of work, just this once,” Taupin says in the press release.

The works are on display in the hotel’s lobby. Additional Taupin works on the second floor make up a gallery wall collection, and include a mix of original artwork, limited edition prints, and monotype pieces, all inspired by Taupin’s songwriting. All pieces are available for purchase, with autographed limited edition prints starting at $2,500 CAD.

At The Lobby Lounge, Fairmont mixologists have created a series of song-inspired cocktails, including Leaving Oz and The Crocodile.

Taupin was born in England in 1950. In 1967 he answered an ad for songwriters placed in a music paper by Liberty Records. John responded to the same ad, and the company paired the two.

A partial list of songs for which he’s contributed lyrics include “Rocket Man”, “Levon”, “Crocodile Rock”, “Honky Cat”, “Tiny Dancer”, “Candle in the Wind”, “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”, “Bennie and the Jets”, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters”, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”, “The Bitch is Back”, “Daniel”, and “Your Song”.