Elton John revealed how a young man dying of AIDS inspired his own journey to sobriety.
December 6, 2024, published at 1:00 PM ET
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The British legend went to rehab and got sober after a young man died of AIDS in the 1990s.
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In his new book Goodbye Yellow Brick RoadJohn describes the night he performed on the Great Lawn in Washington DC for Joe and Jill Biden’s event, “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme.”
In addition to the long list of A-list celebrities in the audience, there were also a number of first responders, teachers and activists in attendance – whom the singer called “real heroes.”
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John gave a show at the White House and spoke about the young boy’s mother, who was in the audience.
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John explained how, before performing his big hit, Don’t let the sun set on mehe spoke about one audience member in particular: Jeanne White-Ginder, Ryan White’s mother, who died of AIDS in the 1990s.
The musician said he met Ryan while the young man was “dying” and now “credits the family for his early interest in the case,” referring to his desire to become an AIDS activist.
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He recalled saying on stage, “I had to love them and watch them face such terrible hostility.
“And yet, when Ryan was dying in the hospital in Indianapolis, the last week of his life, where I was trying to help Jeanne with menial things, there was no hatred. There was no hatred. There was only forgiveness.”
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Not long after Ryan died, John admitted that he went to rehab and got sober — he wanted the crowd to know that Ryan was the one who “saved his life.”
The I’m still standing hitmaker then described the “big surprise” after his performance when the president presented him with a medal for the work he had done with his foundation.
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He proudly recalled, “That night in DC, I wanted the audience to know how he and his family saved my life. After my performance there was a big surprise, unknown even to David, who always knows what is going on.
“I was about to leave the stage when President Biden came out and presented me with the National Humanities Medal for my work with the Elton John AIDS Foundation.”
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President Joe Biden attended the event as a surprise.
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During his younger days in Hollywood, John suffered from a drink and cocaine addiction that nearly cost him his life.
He previously recalled: ‘There were times when I would have chest pains or stay up for three days in a row. I had cramps and was found on the floor and they put me back to bed and half an hour later’ I would do the same. It’s crazy.”
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John also called himself a “survivor,” adding that he was finally able to deal with life’s “pitfalls” once he got sober.
In 2019, he tweeted: “29 years ago today I was a broken man. I finally gathered the courage to say three words that would change my life: ‘I need help’. Thank you to all the selfless people who helped on my journey through sobriety. I am eternally grateful.”
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As he navigates the highs and lows of stardom, John’s new book is packed with shocking moments from his time as a global sensation – including a memory of how he battled painful vocal cysts during a series of shows in Australia.
Three weeks after his shows in Australia, John underwent throat surgery and was able to continue touring – although he said the sound of his voice had changed slightly.
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John also revealed that crew members once believed he had initially been shot during an onstage performance in North Carolina, where an audience member threw a metal pipe directly into his face.
The ordeal caused the singer to “black out”, with blood pouring from his temple as he was dragged to the side of the stage to bandage.
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The singer’s new book is full of shocking moments from his long career and life on the road.
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In the midst of his flourishing touring career, John founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation in the US in 1992 and in Britain in 1993.
The nonprofit organization is committed to funding innovative HIV prevention, education and direct care services for people living with or at risk of HIV.
Currently, it has raised more than $565 million to support HIV-related programs in 90 countries. In his book, the five-time Grammy winner says the foundation’s work has become one of his proudest achievements.
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