Someone Once Told Elton John He Would Never Be A Pop Star
Dec 15, 2024
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Pop music legend Elton John reflects on his incredible journey from a tumultuous childhood to international stardom. He humorously recounts navigating fame and the complexities of his identity, sharing the impact of early experiences on his artistry. Elton reveals how he turned self-doubt into ambition through a pivotal audition. He also pays homage to Liberace, discussing his influence on performance style, balancing flamboyance with authenticity. This candid chat offers a poignant look at the man behind the music.
Elton John's humorous insights into fame reveal the complexities of being adored while navigating his identity as an openly gay artist.
His tumultuous childhood and lack of emotional support shaped his music career and struggles with addiction, highlighting his quest for validation.
Deep dives
Reflections on Stardom and Music
Elton John shares insights from his early career, highlighting a humorous yet enlightening lesson he learned about handling fame. He recalls a moment with Long John Baldry, revealing how his mentor's struggle with newfound popularity affected John's understanding of stardom. As John navigated his own rise, he experienced the laughter and confusion that came from receiving adoration from female fans, despite being openly gay. This blend of acceptance and childhood innocence revealed the duality of John's experience in a rapidly changing music landscape.
The Impact of Childhood on Identity
John discusses the significant influence of his tumultuous childhood on his identity and coping mechanisms. He describes his mother's stricter parenting and the lack of emotional support from his father, which led to a retreat into his music and collections of inanimate objects. This background shaped his later struggles with addiction and his desire for validation through music. Through therapy, he has recognized how these early challenges fueled his determination to succeed and gain acceptance within the music world.
Liberace's Lasting Influence
Elton John expresses admiration for Liberace, noting the flamboyant performer's role as a pivotal influence on his own stage presence. He recounts how watching Liberace inspired him to embrace a bold performance style that combined humor and spectacle. John acknowledges the pressure of having to continuously outdo himself over the years, leading to a cycle of entertaining absurdities that sometimes overshadowed his music. Ultimately, John's reflections reveal a deep respect for Liberace's impact on his career, showcasing the blend of flamboyance and artistry in their shared musical world.
Pop sensation Elton John wrapped up his farewell tour in 2023, only to pop up in a surprise concert at the October 2024 New York City premiere of the new documentary, "Elton John: Never Too Late." Still, as John reduces his public output — and as that documentary drops on the Disney+ streaming platform — we thought our listeners might like to hear again from the British music legend himself. Weekly bonus episodes like this, curated from our vast archive, are usually only available for our Fresh Air+ supporters. But today, in the spirit of giving, we're making this episode available to all. Not a Fresh Air+ supporter yet? Find out more, and join for yourself, at https://plus.npr.org/freshair. Listen to Elton John in 2013: https://n.pr/3BoEEYT| Listen to Elton John in 2019: https://n.pr/49ssSJG | Listen to 40+ years of Fresh Air's archives at https://FreshAirArchive.org.