Sir Elton John has enjoyed a five-decade career selling out stadiums, writing hit singles and albums, and raising awareness of AIDS while being knighted for his efforts. Despite his success, behind the scenes, the music legend fought a long battle with substance abuse.
However, Sir Elton survived his addictions and sobriety made him realise what he wanted in life. And, he said, it took meeting his husband David Furnish and having their two sons to make him feel finally complete.
He made the comments while promoting his new documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late at its US premiere at the New York Film Festival.
“In 1990, I got sober, and when that happened, I began to understand what was missing from my life: humility, gratitude, and faith. I had to build a foundation. Yes, music is wonderful. Fame is wonderful. But it didn’t satisfy me. Something was missing,” he told those in attendance, as per People.
“So eventually, I found complete and utter happiness and bliss when I met David and when I had my children.”
Despite the revelation, the British icon reassured fans that he still enjoyed the fame and fortune a successful career gave him.
“When I first became successful in those first five years, it was wonderful. It was all I wanted. I wanted people to love the songs, buy the records,” he said.
He added that music had always been there for him throughout “the good times and bad”.
While Sir Elton has retired from touring, his recent memoir offered a glimmer of hope that audiences may see him back on stage someday soon.
In his new book, Farewell Yellow Brick Road: Memories of My Life on Tour, Sir Elton reveals that fans might still have the chance to catch him perform live.
“I’ve been clear with my fans that while the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour is the culmination of my touring career, I still plan to perform live,” Sir Elton wrote.
“What this will entail I don’t know yet.”
Though details remain scarce, one thing is certain: Elton’s deep love for performing. During the final show of his farewell tour, he called his fans his “lifeblood” and “soul.”
“I’ve had the most wonderful career, beyond belief. Fifty-two years of pure joy playing music, how lucky am I to play music?” Sir Elton said.
“But I wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for you. You bought the singles, albums and CDs and, more importantly, you bought the tickets to the shows and you know how I love to play live.”
-with BANG.