Elton John released a post on Twitter commemorating a landmark 29 years of sobriety. The ‘I’m Still Standing’ singer went clean back in 1990, and proclaimed fondly in his Twitter post, “Thank you to all the selfless people who have helped me on my journey through sobriety. I am eternally grateful.”
The film, ‘Rocketman’, named after his famous 1972 hit, explored the more intimate and darker moments of the icon’s earlier life, including his battles with addiction, mental illness and his sexuality, (portrayed by Kingsman actor Taron Egerton).
On the film, John said, “And it’s difficult to watch because I thought, ‘God, I don’t want to go back there. Thank God I came out of it’.”
“This is how my life was, and I didn’t want to cover it and gloss it over,” John admitted. “And it’s difficult to watch because I thought, ‘God, I don’t want to go back there. Thank God I came out of it’.”
29 years ago today, I was a broken man.
I finally summoned up the courage to say 3 words that would change my life: “I need help”. Thank you to all the selfless people who have helped me on my journey through sobriety.
I am eternally grateful.
Elton xo pic.twitter.com/VlQ0IfpIFH
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) July 29, 2019
Social media reaction on Twitter has been overwhelmingly positive toward the singer, with responses ranging from one fan saying, “Sir Elton, you are a legend, not because you’ve had no struggles, but because you reached out for help, and conquered them. All my best, for the very best”, to another saying, “You are a true inspiration, my friend”.
Just last month, John was hailed by French President Macron as a ‘melodic genius’, awarding him the Legion d’Honneur, the most prestigious civilian award in France, regarding Elton’s ongoing work with the LGBT community, and charity work in battling AIDS. The Elton John Aids Foundation has garnered more than £310 million in support of tackling the disease.
In his speech, John said. “Like music, the fight against AIDS has been my passion for many many years,” John told the crowd. “And like music this fight reminds me every day of the extraordinary power of the human spirit. And that things that bind us are stronger than those that divide us. It is this magical human spirit I will carry with me as a proud member of the Legion d’Honneur.”
