“That’s the worst thing. American Idol”: Elton John recommends gigging over instant fame on TV for new artists

Sir Elton John shares advice for upcoming musicians, asking them not to go for instant fame on television shows, “That’s the worst thing."

Legendary singer-songwriter Sir Elton John had a few words of wisdom to share for singers who aspire to make it big. In his latest interview along with Brandi Carlile for a Rolling Stone UK cover story, the singer asks new artists to take risks and not settle for instant fame through TV shows like The Voice and American Idol.

That experience stood me in great stead for when I became Elton John because I had backbone,” he said.

“And backbone is so important, because the worst thing that can happen to you in the industry are things like X Factor and instant fame on television, where you have no experience of playing live. You get put on stage, you go, and you can’t do it. That’s the worst thing. American Idol — just the worst. Take risks. Go and play in a pub."

“And honestly, make friends,” added Carlile “Get a community around you.”

The Rocket Man continued, talking about the importance of putting oneself out there.

Just keep trying to play live. That’s the way you improve as a musician and songwriter. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing to 40 people. The more experience you get playing to nobody, the better. Because when I played in Musicology, we played to hardly anybody sometimes.

Elton John, though, hasn't been a young talent in a while, the Cold Heart singer definitely has had a hand in nurturing today's talent, from Dua Lipa to a rising star like Chappell Roan. Talking about the Goodluck Babe singer, who also won her first Grammy this year, he said,

Sometimes, you know, they get a little overwhelmed. Chappell was a little overwhelmed with her sudden success — although she’d been writing for a long time, it really kind of ballooned very quickly. I just try and calm her down and say, ‘Listen, it’s fine. It’s fine. Do what you want. Don’t listen to anybody. Walk at your own speed. Do not listen to the record company saying, ‘We want another album, we want another album.’ Do it when you’re ready to do it.’ I’ve got that experience. I’ve been through everything in my life as far as knowing what to do in music, seeing people come, seeing people go. Sometimes they disappear much too quickly.

Sir Elton John, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 1998, is preparing for his upcoming collaborative album with Brandi Carlile, Who Believes in Angels?