One-on-One with David Frost: Elton John--My Gift Is My Song

Best to put my heart on my sleeve right up front here: in my opinion, Elton John is the single greatest solo rock/pop artist of the past 30 years. This madman from across the water (he's a true Brit) is not only still standing, he continues to crank out the hit albums (as I write, I'm listening to the latest, the soundtrack for The Road to El Dorado). In this nearly two-hour interview, which combines footage from an earlier 1991 interview, as well as concert snippets, Frost asks a mature, sober 50-plus Sir Elton about a variety of topics, including his early upbringing; wildly successful (and also just plain wild) '70s; gay life (in both senses) during the '80s; and drink-free, drug-free, long-term relationship, hard-working '90s. Surprised that he's still alive (he was fitted with a pacemaker in July of 1999, after the present interview), Elton John seems a bit less flamboyant and more subdued in the wake of the terrible summer of 1997 (when friends Gianni Versace and Princess Diana died) and his recent 50th birthday (though the wig he wore was almost as big as Tammy Faye Bakker herself). Still, the unmistakable boyish mischief-making twinkle appears in his eye more than once as he shares funny anecdotes from the past and quips about everything from collaborator Tim Rice's late lyrics ("11th hour") to shopping ("only addiction I have left"). Sure to appeal to his many fans--now spanning five decades ('60s to '00s)--this engaging portrait of the artist is enthusiastically recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)