Manias and behaviors of Elton John

Manias and behaviors of Elton John according to producers, musicians, family members, and people close to him

Over more than five decades of career, Elton John has accumulated peculiar habits observed and described not only by him and his husband David Furnish, but also by producers, sound engineers, musicians, long-time collaborators, as well as his mother and stepfather. These statements, often spontaneous and sometimes surprising, help explain the artistic and emotional personality of the singer in the studio, at home, and on stage. Below is a journalistic synthesis based exclusively on interviews or direct accounts from these people, with the full links to the sources used.

1.

Producers who worked with Elton over the years state that it was common for him to leave the studio immediately after recording piano and vocals. According to accounts associated with producer Gus Dudgeon, Elton fully trusted the team and left so that the arrangements could be finalized without his presence, an unusual habit among major artists. Link: https://www.themillrecordingstudio.com/mixgus.html

2.

His songwriting partner Bernie Taupin publicly stated that Elton’s outbursts and “tantrums” in the studio were nothing new to those who had worked with him. In a recent panel, Taupin said he had witnessed this behavior repeatedly over the decades, describing episodes of exhaustion, frustration, and explosive reactions. Link: https://people.com/bernie-taupin-reassured-brandi-carlile-after-elton-john-signature-tantrums-11711592

3.

In interviews published by outlets such as American Songwriter, Bernie Taupin and other musicians who worked with Elton also mentioned moments when he abruptly left the studio after disagreeing with a lyric or a musical direction. Session participants report that Elton could react intensely when he felt the music was not progressing as it should. Link: https://americansongwriter.com/bernie-taupin-remembers-calming-brandi-carlile-after-elton-john-walked-out-of-the-studio-i-cant-do-this/

4.

In recent profiles, such as the one published by The Guardian, musicians who shared sessions with Elton confirm that he can display a strong emotional charge during creation, including episodes of irritation, thrown objects, or abrupt interruptions of recordings. These reports reinforce the combination of perfectionism and artistic sensitivity that has accompanied him since the 1970s. Link: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/07/elton-john-brandi-carlile-interview

5.

Classic producers like Gus Dudgeon have also stated that Elton maintained extremely high standards in the studio. Descriptions from engineers and collaborators indicate that he could be demanding and, at times, difficult to deal with when the result did not meet his expectations. Link: https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/gus-dudgeon/6669

6.

Additionally, older interviews and statements from collaborators indicate that Elton rarely stayed in the studio longer than necessary. Many times, after recording his parts, he delegated full control to the producer, which contrasted with the demanding temperament that appeared during more delicate creative phases. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6drsUzHQhs

7.

The relationship with his mother, Sheila Farebrother, is often cited as influencing certain emotional and behavioral traits. Profiles published by Vanity Fair and research used in the film Rocketman highlight that family conflicts, his mother’s strong temperament, and the emotional absence of his father shaped the sensitivity and insecurity Elton carried into adulthood. Link: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/05/rocketman-movie-elton-john-mom-sheila

8.

In additional accounts highlighted by People magazine, Elton said in his own autobiography that he spent long periods without speaking to his mother and described episodes of tension involving personal and professional decisions, which contributed to emotional fluctuations in certain phases of his career. Link: https://people.com/music/elton-john-memoir-mother-tried-to-stop-david-furnish-civil-partnership/

9.

Producers like Stuart Epps, and others who participated in early tours, recall that Elton always displayed strong theatricality onstage. Jumps, acrobatics on the piano, and extravagant costumes became a signature habit, revealing his natural instinct for showmanship and his wish for visual distinction since the 1970s. Link: https://stuartepps.co.uk/elton-john-early-years/

10.

In recent reports about his personal life, there are accounts of episodes in which Elton becomes deeply emotional at the piano, sometimes to the point of tears. Outlets such as the Independent documented occasions where collaborators witnessed this intense emotional connection with the instrument. Link: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/elton-john-age-crying-piano-brandi-carlile-b2693972.html

11.

David Furnish, Elton’s husband and partner, has often described the couple’s domestic routine, mentioning organizational habits, art and photography collections, and the importance of maintaining a warm and structured home environment. Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/elton-john-and-david-furnish/id1585413971?i=1000676565649

12.

Other interviews with David Furnish reinforce the idea that Elton has very specific standards at home. Link: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-ruthies-table-4-86783836/episode/elton-john-and-david-furnish-237365558/

13.

Elton John made very specific demands about flowers in his dressing rooms. Link: https://correiodoestado.com.br/cidades/elton-john-exige-flores-com-talos-de-ate-11-centimetros-em-camarim/29617/

14.

According to a report by Terra, for his stays he required fresh flowers in dressing rooms and suites. Link: https://www.terra.com.br/diversao/musica/elton-john-exige-numero-certo-de-cada-flor-em-camarim

15.

Regarding artwork and collections, Elton John stated that he collects photographs for their beauty, not for their value. Link: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/nov/13/elton-john-interview-i-collect-photographs-for-the-beauty-tate-modern-radical-eye

16.

David Furnish described Elton’s photo collection as deeply emotional. Link: https://plastermagazine.com/interviews/david-furnish-elton-john-fragile-beauty-interview/

17.

When auctioning part of his collection, Elton included works by Damien Hirst and Banksy. Link: https://www.em.com.br/internacional/2024/01/6784849-elton-john-leiloara-objetos-pessoais-na-christies-em-nova-york.html

18.

Regarding his mother, Sheila, accounts describe a difficult relationship. Link: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/05/rocketman-movie-elton-john-mom-sheila

19.

Additional accounts reinforce the emotional distance in Elton’s childhood. Link: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/05/rocketman-movie-elton-john-mom-sheila

Taken together, these accounts reveal an artist whose habits and emotional intensity are inseparable from his creativity.

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