TALKING WITH DAVID FROST {...TALKING WITH DAVID FROST}: ELTON JOHN (TV)

Summary

One in this series of interview programs hosted by David Frost. This program features a discussion with singer/songwriter Elton John taped at his home in Old Windsor, England. John begins by talking about his precocious talent on the piano as a child, his ability to learn music by ear, and his first musical jobs while he was still in school. He then discusses his twenty-five-year collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin, the importance of lyrics to his songs, and the process by which he uses them to compose. John also explores the elements of sadness, drama, minor chords, and hymns in his music, and the influences of both classical training and Brian Wilson; he calls his compositions a fusion of various types of music. He then talks about traveling to the United States and about the performance that changed his life professionally; about the difference between American and British audiences, the flamboyance of his 1970s live shows, and the blow to his career that occurred when he publicly acknowledged his bisexuality. Next, Frost queries him on his battles with alcohol, drugs, and bulimia; his brief marriage; and his thoughts on fatherhood. John recalls the events leading up to his entering a rehabilitation program, including the death of Ryan White, a child whose illness with AIDS was followed in the media. The program ends with a clip of John performing what he considers to be the best of his songs, "Candle in the Wind."

Cataloging of this program has been made possible by the Bell Atlantic Foundation, 1999.

Details

• NETWORK: PBS WETA Washington, D.C.
• DATE: November 22, 1991 Friday 9:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:57:46
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:56594
• GENRE: Talk/Interviews
• SUBJECT HEADING: Composers; Singers; Music, popular (songs, etc.); Bisexuality; Alcoholics - Rehabilitation; Drug abuse
• SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1991-
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• John Florescu … Executive Producer
• David Frost … Executive Producer
• Robert Muller … Coordinating Producer
• Wallace Westfeldt … Producer
• Tricia Pombo … Associate Producer
• David Wilson … Associate Producer, Reporter
• David Frost … Host, Interviewer
• Elton John … Guest
• Bernie Taupin
• Ryan White
• Brian Wilson