SIR Elton John has revealed he only found true happiness after he got sober and realised what was important in life.
The 77-year old piano man revealed he has never been happier in his life as he took the stage to introduce the US premiere of his upcoming documentary Elton John : Never Too Late.
He also delighted the audience with a surprise performance as he looked back on his incredible career spanning a staggering seven decades.
Elton, who spoke and performed at the New York Film Festival on Tuesday night, was accompanied at the event by his husband David Furnish.
Elton sang Tiny Dancer and gave a heartfelt speech about his “astonishing life”.
He said: “There’s always been music through the good times and bad times. I’ve always relied on music to pull me through. Even when I was in my darkest times, I still played music, I still recorded music, so I have to say thank you to music for being the most incredible inspiration to me throughout my whole life.”
He continued. “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 added, “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. So eventually, I found complete and utter happiness and bliss when I met David and when I had my children.”
He also revealed he’s “never felt happiness like I have now,” noting that “I’m 77 years of age, I’ve done all there is to do.”
The documentary made a world premiere in September at the Toronto International Film Festiva l. It spans the earlier years of John ‘s career up to a performance at Dodgers Stadium in November 2022.
“As he bids farewell to his fans in a historic send-off unlike any other, he journeys back in time to his humble beginnings as a struggling musician who must overcome adversity, abuse, and addiction in order to become the icon he is today,” the film synopsis reads.
“Packed with all of his greatest hits, as well as lesser-known gems from the 70s and unseen footage from Elton’s personal archives, this intimate and emotionally-charged story gives a front row seat to music history: Elton’s groundbreaking performance at the Troubadour Club in 1970, writing Tiny Dancer, playing live with John Lennon in Lennon’s last ever public performance.”
It adds: “It’s a portrait of one of the most celebrated figures in pop music history, and a unique window into his unprecedented rise, near-downfall, and triumphant success.”
Lyricist Bernie Taupin, the late Beatles icon Lennon and Due Lipa also make appearances throughout the documentary which is packed with archival footage.
The film will also feature a new song by the five-time Grammy winner.
Elton John: Never Too Late will have a limited run in the US and UK cinemas from November 15, and premieres on Disney+ on December 13.
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