Elton John (22 May 1971) NME – Chat-In Part Two

A candid interview feature from New Musical Express (NME) dated 22 May 1971, continuing the “Chat-In” series with Elton John during his North American tour.

SOURCE DETAILS

Publication: New Musical Express (NME)

Date: May 22, 1971

Country: United Kingdom

Section / Pages: Page 13 – Chat-In Feature

Title: Chat-In with Elton John Part Two

Writer: Martin K. Webb

THE STORY

In this second part of the interview, Elton John speaks openly with Martin K. Webb in Vancouver about rock ’n’ roll, his views on other artists (including the Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Beatles), press reception, and his creative process. The piece highlights his humour, candour, and sharp opinions, including the memorable quote: “Jagger is perfect pop star — rude, ugly, brilliant!”

CONTEXT AND NOTES

May 1971 found Elton John riding the success of his early albums while breaking into the North American market. This NME “Chat-In” captures him at a reflective yet confident stage in his career, offering insights into his musical tastes and the contemporary rock scene. The multi-part format was typical of NME’s in-depth artist profiling at the time.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Elton John “Chat-In” interview (Part Two)

Era: 1971 – Early 1970s British rock breakthrough

Tone: Conversational, humorous and insightful

Photography: Black-and-white portrait of Elton John wearing sunglasses

Audience: NME readers and Elton John fans

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Elton John “Chat-In” interview (Part Two)

Era: 1971 – Early 1970s British rock breakthrough

Tone: Conversational, humorous and insightful

Photography: Black-and-white portrait of Elton John wearing sunglasses

Audience: NME readers and Elton John fans

All magazine artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.

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