Rumors and questions about the well-being of beloved musicians are common in the digital age. One question that sometimes surfaces is: Is Elton John Dead? The answer, resoundingly, is no. Far from it, in fact. The iconic singer-songwriter is very much alive and continues to entertain and surprise us with tales from his extraordinary life, including some of his more rock ‘n’ roll moments.
Recently, anecdotes from Elton John’s past have resurfaced, reminding us of his vibrant and sometimes chaotic journey through music history. One such story involves a memorable night in the 1980s with none other than The Rolling Stones. During this period, Elton John has openly discussed his struggles with drug addiction, and it seems one particular incident saw him take his enthusiasm a little too far while sharing the stage with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Invited to play ‘Honky Tonk Women’ with the legendary band at a concert in Colorado, Elton John, fueled by cocaine, decided to extend his guest appearance beyond the agreed-upon song. As he recounts in his autobiography, Me, he was so caught up in the moment that he imagined his impromptu keyboard jamming was being appreciated by everyone on stage, particularly Keith Richards.
However, Elton’s perception of his performance differed somewhat from reality. He described how Keith Richards’s initial stare, which he interpreted as “awe,” soon morphed into something less complimentary. It eventually dawned on the ‘Rocket Man’ singer that Richards’s expression was “not really suggestive of profound musical appreciation.”
Realizing he might have overstayed his welcome, Elton John made a hasty exit from the stage. He humorously noted that Richards’s continued gaze suggested a post-performance conversation might be on the cards, leading him to decide that discretion was the better part of valor and to skip the after-show party altogether.
This amusing episode, shared from Elton John’s autobiography, serves as a testament to his enduring career and his willingness to openly discuss both the highs and lows of his life in the music industry. So, while questions about “is Elton John dead?” might pop up, stories like this one firmly place him in the realm of the living – and still very much rocking.
