“I think any bonhomie that comes into your life influences what you do as a person,” says Elton John, reflecting on what his social, party-throwing side has brought to his artistic life. “I’ve been lucky enough to meet so many great people, artistic people, interesting people, and I truly, truly believe that it helps my soul compose music.”
Is this the secret to Elton John? Many artists have a natural fire-at-their-fingers talent (though the young piano prodigy Reg Dwight in Pinner must have seemed miraculous), and many work hard at becoming craftspeople in the art of songwriting. But very few in rock and pop history have been able to develop this into global success, and then maintain it, for decades.
