05 August, 2012

Reporter: Molly Meldrum

Producer: Erin Reimer

To mark the 40-year anniversary of the release of his enduringly popular single Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long Long Time), Sir Elton John has taken the celebrations global for a world tour. He’ll return to our shores in November for a very special run of shows, some in parts of Australia he’s never been.

Before that, though, he caught up with old pal Molly Meldrum backstage on tour for a pre-show chat about fatherhood, celeb feuds and his partner David.

Friends for decades, Elton was one of the first to call after Molly’s life-threatening accident eight months ago.

“You look great! Silly cow,” were among his first words to Meldrum as they met for the interview.

Elton was very much the proud dad, brandishing an iPad with photos and video of his young son Zachary, conceived via a surrogate mother and raised by he and long-term partner David Furnish.

“When I got sober, all good things started happening to me. It’s 19 years this October we’ve been together. He’s the person I was looking for all my life but tried too hard to find,” he said of Furnish.

This sense of peace contrasted sharply with Elton’s earlier explosive behaviour, infamously captured in the warts and all 1997 documentary Tantrums and Tiaras.

Elton said he credited Molly with trying to snap him out of his past destructive behaviour.

He’s not all inner peace, though – the mere mention of Madonna’s name was met with one of Elton’s trademark caustic sprays.

“She’s such a nightmare. Her career’s over...and she looks like a f***ing fairground stripper. She’s been so horrible to Gaga,” he fumed. Gaga being, of course, Lady Gaga – Zachary’s godmother. Elton admitted that, with Zachary, he hoped to right some of the wrongs of his own father.“My dad never came to see me [in concert]. That really hurt, and it still does. I just wanted him to see that I was really good, but it never happened,” he sighed.
To finish off their chat, Molly presented Elton with a gift for little Zachary – a toy keyboard. Elton couldn’t resist banging out a few bars of Waltzing Matilda in preparation for his upcoming Aussie sojourn. Elton will perform at Perth, Canberra, Launceston and a very special show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Thursday November 15 – taking his record number of shows at the iconic Sydney venue to a staggering 42. Performing with a full band, Elton’s shows will commemorate the 40 years since the release of Rocket Man as well as being a celebration of his greatest hits. Full tour dates are below.Monday November 12: Perth Arena, Perth with special guests 2CELLOS. Tickets HERE or on 132 849.Wednesday November 14: Canberra Stadium, Canberra with special guests 2CELLOS and Schmidt. Tickets HERE or on 132 849.Thursday November 15: Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney with special guests 2CELLOS & Schmidt. Tickets HERE or on 136 100.Tuesday November 20: Silverdome, Launceston with special guests 2CELLOS. Tickets HERE or on 03 6344 9999.Tickets for Perth, Canberra and Sydney on sale now. Tickets for Launceston on sale 10am Monday August 13.For more information visit Elton's website or Chugg Entertainment.
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