Tottering on the Edge Feature: 1973

The Edge That Hit Music Star

Published in the UK on January 1, 1973, Music Star magazine’s two-page feature “Tottering on the Edge” included Elton John reflecting on a difficult period during the making of the new album (released in January). He explained:

were making the new album (it's released in January) I was really low. It was just because I was exhausted and everything was getting on top of me. I had glandular fever, but didn't realise. So I got very depressed. But I pulled myself together and we got through the album okay. I just needed a break, that was all. I hadn't had a holiday for years.

Article Overview

Publication Details

Magazine: Music Star (UK).

Date: January 1, 1973.

Format: Two-page feature article.

Article Text

were making the new album (it's released in January) I was really low. It was just because I was exhausted and everything was getting on top of me. I had glandular fever, but didn't realise. So I got very depressed. But I pulled myself together and we got through the album okay. I just needed a break, that was all. I hadn't had a holiday for years. Where did he go for that holiday? "Malibu," he smiled. "California, of

all places! I rented a fantastic house on the beach. Bernie (Taupin) and Maxine stayed with us and Bryan Forbes, the film director, came over with his wife and two kids. I know him pretty well because he lives just around the corner.

"In the end we had about 12 people staying with us all the time. It was open house and there were people sleeping on the floor. It was great. I loved it. We just spent our days sitting on the beach and also went to a lot of concerts. I don't usually get enough time to do that. We saw Alice Cooper and people like that. It was really nice. Just the break I needed."

The new album was recorded in the States and I think it's likely to surprise a few people when it is released in the New Year. "Honky Chateau" showed some new sides to Elton John, but the new set takes the expansion a heck of a lot further.

"The album's done," Elton told me. "There's just a few tracks to be mixed and a couple to have strings added. Then the songs will have to be put into some sort of running order, and it'll be ready. Actually, it could have been ready in August, but we're just delaying it because we don't want to keep hearing it all the time."

Like most artists, he finds it tough to be objective about the LP because he feels so close to it. Also, as he explained, if you hear the songs too much there's a danger of them becoming stale even before the album is released. But he did go on to give some hint on what we should expect.

"My voice sounds different on it," he revealed. "I've played it to a few people and they've said: 'That's not you singing, is it? That's quite strange because people can usually spot my voice a mile off.

I sound like Bobby Vee and the Everly Brothers

"I sound like Bobby Vee and the Everly Brothers and people like that. Half of it has a sort of Sixties teel very tongue-in-cheek. A lot of it's very humourous and parts are very funky. It's got a mixture of everything.

I've got a hunch that it will be an album well worth waiting for. Music critics have tried to write Elton John off before now. But as far as I can see, he just keeps getting better. even if he is on the edge of madness!

E LTON JOHN has a definite love of the bizarre, His clothes are unusual to say the least. His-home is full of weird and wonderful things like stuffed bears and lions! So, when I met him recently, it only seemed natural to try and find out more about his kind of humour.

I like Monty Python and things like that." he smiled. "I've got a very bizarre sense of humour. It takes a hell of a lot to make me laugh. I can't just sit down and watch television and be sure I'm going to enjoy it. Things like The Comedians TV show are really terrible. I find them totally boring. They tell horrendous jokes that have been bandied around for 30 years!

"But I think it takes genius to think of Monty Python and programmes like that. Remember the Anthony Newly character, Gurney Slade? He used to do that years ago. Wonderful! I like off beat things like that.

 I do like Morcambe and Wise

"I like some of Marty Feldman's programmes, but I don't find him that hysterical. But Spike Milligan is just tremendous. I've got all the old Goon Show records and Tony Hancock's programmes too. He was brilliant: genuinely witty. I do like Morcambe and Wise. They make me laugh. But generally it has to be pretty bizarre. I like bizarre humour.

"I like characters. I like real characters. I think Spike Milligan borders on the edge of madness and quite like that in people. I like mad people. To watch that is! Not to associate with!

"John Cleese and the other guys in Python must be on the edge of madness to think of those things. You've got to be a little like that. I think I'm on the edge of madness myself. You have to be. I think everybody is.

How does the madness' come out in him?

"All my friends know I can do some pretty crazy things. I can just come out with a line of patter that will destroy people. They never know what to expect. Like, when I was on holiday. I suddenly stood up in the middle of a restaurant and threw a custard pie in my own face. The people around just couldn't believe. it. I'm likely to do things like that!"

The talk of the custard pie inçident reminded him of the kind of crazy experience you could only get in the States. I was staying in Los Angeles and I told a radio station that I'd like to take part in a custard pie fight. I'd never been in one and the idea really appealed! They said okay and fixed it all up but I had to bring my own pies. I took about 15, but when I got to the studios there were 350 people waiting and everyone threw their pies at me!

"You should have seen me. I stunk for a week of sour cream. It was in my hair and everywhere. Murder! But I enjoyed it and it was broadcast live on the radio.

Can you imagine anything more bizarre than a live pie fight on the radio? How boring for the people at home! Still. those who were there had a good time."

But, despite his huge sense of humour and the ridiculous. Elton John does have some bad times.

"I get depressed all the time. When we