Elton John: A timeless journey through music and life
A glimpse into the genius of Elton John
In the documentary “Elton John: Never Too Late”, we are treated to an intimate and emotional exploration of Elton John’s life and career. One particularly revealing moment captures Elton in his ’70s prime, during a television interview where he explains his songwriting process. The clip, likely from 1971, shows a young Elton, with his signature rectangle-framed glasses and shaggy hair, sitting at an upright piano. He pulls out a sheaf of lyrics handwritten by his collaborator, Bernie Taupin, and begins to discuss how he wrote the song “Tiny Dancer”.
Elton’s method appears almost effortless. He describes how he scanned through the lyrics and, upon seeing the word “ballerina,” decided it would be a slow-tempo song. He then demonstrates how he improvised the chords and let Taupin’s lyrics guide him. This casual approach to songwriting, taking only 20 to 30 minutes, speaks to the mystery of Elton John’s genius and the nature of pop music during that era.
The magic of the ’70s
The ’70s were a golden age for music, with artists like Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin, ABBA, and Queen creating masterpieces. Elton John, the grandest pop figure of his time, stood out with his unique career. His songs seemed to pour out of him effortlessly, as if he breathed them into existence.
In the late ’60s, Elton was a shy, handsome young British man who lived to sing and play the piano. He wrote songs for artists like Tom Jones and Lulu before forming a serendipitous partnership with Bernie Taupin. Their first album, “Empty Sky” (1969), didn’t make much of an impact. However, their second album, “Elton John” (1970), produced by Gus Dudgeon, marked the beginning of Elton’s rise to stardom. Dudgeon brought in string arranger Paul Buckmaster and recorded the album live, creating the haunting early version of the Elton sound.
The legendary Troubadour performance
Elton’s three-night stint at the Troubadour in Los Angeles in August 1970 was a turning point in his career. The documentary includes footage of this legendary gig, where Elton, bearded and looking different than ever before, delivered a transcendent performance. The audience, filled with industry heavyweights, was spellbound. In 2022, Elton revisited the Troubadour, marveling at how small it looked, a sentiment shared by viewers.
Elton’s onstage persona evolved into a flamboyant performer, standing up while playing the piano and shooting his legs into the air. Despite his doughy physique and lack of rhythmic moves, he became a glam geek, clad in outrageous outfits and goggle glasses, strutting around with the fervor of Freddie Mercury.
The rise, fall, and rebirth of a legend
Going into “Elton John: Never Too Late”, I had reservations. I felt I had heard Elton’s story too many times: the rise to stardom, the descent into addiction, and the eventual redemption through sobriety and love. However, the documentary, co-directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, Elton’s husband, offers a fresh perspective. It sets Elton’s mythology within a detailed and archivally rich account of his glory days (1970-1975), culminating in his 1975 performance at Dodger Stadium before 110,000 people.
The film juxtaposes these creative years with Elton in 2022, during the final leg of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which ends with his last concert in America at Dodger Stadium. The portrait of Sir Elton today, a gracious gentleman and loving family man, is both revealing and moving. He and David Furnish have two sons, Zachary and Elijah, and Elton is an incredibly warm and devoted father.
Reflecting on the past
Elton’s reflections on his ’70s days are tinged with dismissiveness. He describes his life then as solely focused on work, but his work was far from ordinary. Writing and performing songs like “Your Song”, “Amoreena”, “Philadelphia Freedom”, “Someone Saved My Life Tonight”, and “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” was a monumental achievement, akin to Beethoven composing his symphonies. Elton should cut his younger self some slack.
The documentary also delves into Elton’s hidden sexuality and his 1976 interview where he revealed his bisexuality. At the time, there was public skepticism about his bisexuality, but the interview was a heroic step towards liberation. It was the first step in letting go of his demons, with sobriety following 14 years later in 1990.
A need for deeper exploration
While “Elton John: Never Too Late” is a compelling documentary, it could have benefited from critical voices exploring the alchemy of Elton’s music and his over-the-top style. Elton John was a giant of a musician in the ’70s, and a deeper analysis of his impact on music and culture would have elevated the film from very good to great. Nevertheless, the documentary does justice to Elton John and his contributions to the world, capturing the joy he brought to pop music like no other.
For those interested in exploring more about Elton John’s music and career, check out the trailer for “Elton John: Never Too Late” here.
For more insights into Elton John’s music, visit Music Beep to explore his albums and songs.