Elton John has expressed his support for Eminem in his drug-free journey.
Sir Elton John’s burgeoning reputation as a down-to-earth celebrity advisor was bolstered this weekend when the legendary singer and songwriter revealed for the first time how he is assisting American hip-hop star, Eminem.
Eminem revealed that the veteran Elton John offered him advice on how to rid himself of the painkiller addiction which developed during his break from the limelight in 2005. John, 62, has also recovered from his own drug problems, having checked into rehab in 1990 to recover from his addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Speaking to Danny Baker on his Radio 5 Live show at the weekend, John said: “I’ve been helping Eminem in the last 18 months and he is doing brilliantly. “When you give it up, you tend to think everybody else has given it up, but of course it is just as prevalent as it ever was. And nowadays pills, such as downers, are even more damaging.”
Eminem has a history of prescription drug abuse and was recently treated for a near-fatal methadone overdose. After a difficult start, the artist became friends with John. John, who has been in a civil partnership with David Furnish since 2005, was scathing of Eminem’s statements regarding homosexuality when they met at the Grammy Awards in 2001. However, during the lead-up to the release of Eminem’s album Relapse last year, the bond became increasingly essential to him.
John said: “I’m there if people want my help. If people ask for help you can tell them where they should go, but there is no point advising someone if they don’t want to do it. People used to tell me to clean my act up and I didn’t want to know,” “And I know that George has been very vocal in the papers saying that Elton should shut his mouth and how he is sure I would love him to come and bang on my door and ask for help.”
Of his own 16-year drug addiction, John said: “I didn’t want anybody’s help. I used to get very annoyed. In fact, I didn’t speak to some close friends for a year because they dared to tell me I was being an idiot.”
Lyricist Bernie Taupin, John’s songwriting partner, wrote Someone Saved My Life Tonight after he prevented his friend from committing suicide. Those “lost years”, the star told Baker, are still the subject of great regret. “Initially, it was fun, but I am not a man who can just do one of anything. I have got that kind of nature,” he said. “So I could not do one gram of coke, I had to do six grams and then I would want more. It ended up being incredibly depressing.”
“Elton John got me off drugs”: Eminem.
“Me and him have had similar lives and stuff,” Eminem explained in an interview with the Detroit Metro Times. “We became friends and I talk to him about things, career-wise.” Eminem and Elton didn’t always seem so sympathetic, however. The artists’ first meeting, at the 2001 Grammy awards, was spoiled by allegations of Eminem’s homophobia. But flash forward eight years and Eminem calls Elton the musician he most looks to for support. “I talk to Elton a lot.”
The friendship became particularly important after the release of Eminem’s album, Encore, and the rapper’s subsequent battle with drugs. Addicted to painkillers and after a near-fatal methadone overdose, Eminem rang up the man with the silly glasses.
“When I first wanted to get sober, I called (Elton) and spoke to him about it,” Eminem said. “He’s somebody who’s in the business and can identify and relate to the lifestyle and how hectic things can be. He understands … the pressure and any other reasons that you want to come up with for doing drugs.” “I reached out to him and told him, ‘Look, I’m going through a problem and I need your advice.’”
Watch Eminem & Elton John’s Stan Live from Grammy
