SERENDIPITY. HOW ELSE can you describe the moment in 1967 when an artists and repertoire man for Liberty Records handed an unknown pianist named Elton Hercules John a randomly selected envelope of poems by an equally unknown Bernie Taupin?

Thus began one of the most historically successful collaborations in rock’n’roll, a 50-year songwriting partnership John is celebrating with gusto on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which was scheduled for Houston’s Minute Maid Park Nov. 4 but had to be canceled due to the World Series.

Meanwhile Taupin, who dedicated himself to visual art in the 1990s, has created a series of colorful text-art paintings inspired by lyrics he wrote for some of Sir John’s most beloved hit songs, including “Rocket Man,” “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” and “Bennie and the Jets.” Reflections: The Art Of Bernie Taupin shows Nov. 1-19 at Off The Wall Gallery. RSVP to meet Taupin in person when he visits the gallery Nov. 3 and Nov. 5.