Elton John: the gentle grandfather of modern music
Elton John is many things – eccentric, demanding, a musical visionary, but also the ultimate hype man. Naturally, in the course of six decades in the industry and still maintaining a status as cream of the crop, the ‘Rocketman’ inevitably knows a thing or two about the makings of a star. However, rarely is any other legacy rocker so hellbent on shaping the next generation as John is – and it’s a badge he wears with pride.
In almost every interview he does these days, John will go to pains to shout the names of his favourite current artists, whether it’s Ed Sheeran, Fontaines DC, Chappell Roan or Olivia Dean. But this is no new development – he has very much positioned himself as the wizened grandfather of modern music in a way that no other classic artist ever has, so the question remains: why does John see it as his duty?
Let’s not forget that despite his illustrious life seemingly filled with champagne and roses, John has also battled his fair share of demons. From addiction issues to mental health, his struggles have been well-documented over the years, and, in that sense, it’s understandable that he wouldn’t want any other young starlet to fall down the same void.
He explained previously that: “I had a lot of support when I was ill and [in] rehab. You support your friends through thick and thin. I had a lot of support when I went through the thin end of the wedge, and I never forget that,” hence somewhat justifying why he feels he needs to return the favour. But although there’s no denying that John’s heart is in the right place, you can’t help but shake the feeling that in the grand old modern world of 2025, there’s surely some other voice out there who could also act as the imparter of wisdom.
While, of course, it must be invaluable to young artists to have such a massive titan of music as John shining his holy lights down upon you, has anyone ever considered that he is not the be-all and end-all? It just seems slightly wrong now that any up-and-coming musician must be kissed by John’s seal of approval before it’s confirmed that they’ll make it big or that they’re one to watch. After all, as much as he has launched rockets into the stratosphere, John is just one person, and his opinions are not a cornerstone of the Earth.
This is not a dressing down of his influence or a simple numbering of his days in which he can enact it by any stretch of the imagination, but maybe it’s time to pass the baton of the ultimate musical mentor on to someone new. John himself may already be lining this up in the form of longtime friend and recent collaborator Brandi Carlile, whom he calls the “greatest modern singer in the whole world”, but at only a tender 43 years old, she may still have some way to go yet.
The industry may have lauded John as the grandfather of music – and he himself is all too happy to assume that position – but think about your own grandad: would you always follow every single piece of advice you ever got from him? Perhaps not, and in this sense, it’s probably worth reminding artists, young and old, that they are worth more than a seal of approval from within one classic singer’s bubble. He is rightfully loved for everything he is, but let’s just remember: there is more to life than Elton John.
