Music legend Elton John has spoken poignantly about his life and the effect that music has had on his existence. In an open interview, the 77-year-old explained that music “almost killed” him in the volatile years of his fame. “I can’t live without music.”. It almost killed me, but it also saved my life, and it continues to save my life today. But not the music of yesterday so much. It’s the music of tomorrow that saves my life,” he said.

Elton John has been a music phenomenon around the world for decades, but beneath the glamour and glitter, he has also grappled with the seedy underbelly of fame. During the interview, he bemoaned the way his own success brought him to a slippery slope of addiction. The incredible pressure, plus the roller-coaster of celebrity highs and lows, led him to abuse heavy drugs and booze, almost at the cost of everything. Elton, whose unapologetic nature and flamboyant stage performances were legendary, admitted that his addictions were at their worst during the height of his fame, nearly costing him his life.

But his tale is also one of success. After struggling with addiction for so long, Elton got clean and checked into rehabilitation in 1990. He has since had his life turned around and become a champion of sobriety. Indeed, last year he said his life has “never been better,” which is quite a turnaround from the despair of his younger years.

Being one of the best-loved musicians in history, Sir Elton has never hesitated to discuss his life, both the ups and downs. Yet, even with all of the adversity he endured, he also made it very apparent that music has been his savior. Although he did confess that the stresses of fame almost destroyed him, it was the same thing that motivated him.

Elton John has enjoyed a career lasting over seven decades, and his impact on the music industry is unquestionable. His record consists not just of pioneering albums and numerous number-one hits but also of a steadfast dedication to applying his celebrity to bring awareness to significant issues, including AIDS research and LGBTQ+ rights. Music has always been central to his existence, and while his journey was frequently filled with personal strife, it was the potential to create new sounds and share them with the world that kept him going.

In the future, Elton John is set to drop a new album next month with US artist Brandi Carlile. Their collaborative effort, Who Believes in Angels?, drops on April 4 via Island EMI Records. The record will consist of a blend of new songs, such as “Never Too Late,” an Oscar-nominated track that was written after Elton’s 2021 documentary of the same title.

During the interview, Elton expressed his love for Carlile as both an individual and an artist. “I love her so much and not even as a person, but I love what’s inside of her musically and creatively,” he explained. He also gave rave reviews of her promise, terming her an artist who has just started revealing the world what she can do. “It hasn’t even scratched the surface. I believe it’s starting to, but it’s got a hell of a lot more to go. She’s an embryo at the moment, and she’s done a hell of a lot to be an embryo, but she’s going to just explode,” Elton said in awe.

Their partnership is a major milestone in both of their careers, and fans are eagerly waiting to hear what the two artists have created together. For Elton, the thrill of collaborating with Carlile and the excitement of having new music out there is a reminder of the influence that music has over his life even after decades in the business. It’s a reminder of his abiding love for his work, as well as to the future of music.

Elton John’s observations about his path are a sobering reminder of the trials that so often follow fame, as well as the therapeutic power of music. Although he admits that the path he has walked has been impossibly hard, it is obvious that music has been both his greatest challenge and his greatest salvation. Now, as he sets out to release new music and continue his journey in personal and professional development, it’s clear that Sir Elton John is as committed and passionate about his craft as ever.