Elton John: It is ‘hard to stay sane’ in the modern music industry
Sir Elton John has criticised the modern music industry for turning musicians into “bitter nonentities,” and has said that his music career “will have to change” so that he can look after his two children.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sir Elton condemned the modern music industry, which he said has been “damaged” by reality television.
The singer, who found fame at 23, revealed that his latest album warns against the dangers of celebrity life in the music business.
It is “hard to stay sane” he said.
“Unless you have got real gravitas and you have earned your corn it is going to be hard for you to stay sane, it is going to be hard for you to maintain your career and you may end up being a bitter nonentity.”
“I wouldn’t want to be Justin Bieber or any of those young artists, it is tough on them.”
He said that he has never watched any of the popular talent shows, pioneered by Simon Cowell, and pointed out that “The Voice” had never produced a hit record on either side of the pond.
“Television and video have done a lot of damage to music. They propel people into stardom that aren’t ready for it and can’t sustain it and they are as only as good as their next song and I hate that.
“I hate people being cast aside; it breaks my heart to see people like Michelle McManus who won Pop Star, whatever it was, it is not fair.”
He added that the shows are all about watching the judges, and the singers are “nonentities”.
Sir Elton’s latest album “The Diving Board” is due to be released in September and, at 66, he is still doing 120 shows a year.
But Sir Elton revealed that this will all change soon when his two sons, Zachary, two, and Elijah, five months, need to start school.
“I can’t be away from them, things will have to change,” he said.
The couple now have two sons, and Sir Elton said: “It has made me the happiest person in the world.”
Sir Elton has also revealed plans that the couple plan to tie the knot once same-sex marriage laws have been passed.
“If this happens I will be there, I don’t want a big grandiose thing, I just want to go to the registry office.
“But I would like to do and to say listen, we have been given this and years ago people had to have miserable lives because they were afraid of their sexuality. Embrace it, be thankful, and set an example and say yes this is how far Britain has come as a society and I am very proud of that.”
The full interview will be played on Radio 4’s Front Row tonight.
