Elton John has opened up on his struggle to make it big in the industry, recalling a time where he was paid just £15 a week.

These days, he’s one of the most successful artists of all time, having sold over 300 million records worldwide and has a number of accolades under his belt including five Grammys and two Academy awards.

And looking back on his over fifty year career, Elton, 77, who now reportedly has a £450million fortune, has told how that struggle to achieve his dream gave him a ‘backbone’ and allowed him to really ‘appreciate’ his success.

During an interview with Nick Grimshaw on his BBC Radio 6 Music Breakfast Show on Tuesday, the pair were talking about the success of Filipino-British singer-songwriter Beabadoobee who finally had a number one record this year after years of ‘plugging away’.

Speaking about the artist’s hard work made Elton then reflect on his own journey to becoming a world renowned singer, noting that the success you finally have is ‘so much better’ when you’ve had to struggle for it.

He explained: ‘I had to struggle. It’s so much better if you have to struggle, because then you really appreciate it when you make it. You’ve got the experience. 

Elton John has opened up on his struggle to make it big in the industry, recalling a time where he was paid just £15 a week [pictured in 2023]

These days, he’s one of the most successful artists of all time, having sold over 300 million records worldwide and has a number of accolades under his belt [pictured in 1965]

‘I used to be in Bluesology, we used to drive around, it was a tussle, it was a struggle. Fifteen quid a week, got to pay for your equipment, your food, your gas, your everything. 

‘But when I made it… it gives you backbone, it makes you appreciate… when you make it, you cannot believe it, and you’re so happy.’

After chatting about other up and coming artists, Elton then went on to share his advice about other aspiring musicians hoping for their big break.

He told Nick: ‘Just be yourself. You’re going to struggle when you start, you’re not going to write the best songs, maybe, that you’ve ever written. Be prepared to have some ups and downs, but never, ever give up.’

The Rocket Man hitmaker continued: ‘If you really believe in yourself and people know that you’ve got talent, then you’re on to a good thing. There’s so many bands around like H๏τ Wax, Let’s Eat Grandma who are from Norwich. They’re amazing, they’ve been round a long time and they haven’t yet exploded, but they will, because I think they believe in themselves, they love what they do. 

‘Just love what you do. I’m in a profession that I cannot believe because I’m doing what I wanted to do all my life. Not that I wanted to be singer-songwriter Elton John, I just wanted to be in a record store or a disc jockey or something, as long as I was involved with music. It’s the greatest gift you can possibly have.’

And while Elton, who in his career bagged ten number ones on the UK singles chart, revealed he’s still wracked with nerves when releasing a new track.

On if he ever has self-doubt when debuting a new song, he said: ‘Oh, all the time, it never goes away. 

Looking back on his over fifty year career, Elton, 77,  told how that struggle to achieve his dream gave him a ‘backbone’ and allowed him to really ‘appreciate’ his success [pictured in 2023]

Elton opened up about his career during an interview with Nick Grimshaw [pictured] on his BBC Radio 6 Music Breakfast Show on Tuesday

‘I used to be in Bluesology, we used to drive around, it was a tussle, it was a struggle. Fifteen quid a week, got to pay for your equipment, your food, your gas, your everything’ [pictured in 1974]

‘But when I made it… it gives you backbone, it makes you appreciate… when you make it, you cannot believe it, and you’re so happy’ [pictured in 2024]

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‘When you play new tracks to people, you still feel the same as you did when I was playing Empty Sky, my first album, to somebody. It never goes away, nor should it. Fear is the greatest motivator.’

Elton’s words comes after Chappell Roan paid an emotional tribute to him and praised the megastar for his importance to the LGBTQ+ community.

The Pink Pony Club hitmaker, 27, had joined Elton on stage at his annual post Oscars party on Sunday night, where they duetted on a number of tracks including Let the Sun Go Down on Me.

And amid their performances, Chappell, who publicly came out as gay last year, reportedly gushed over the singer for his ‘sacrifice’ to the community.

The Mirror reports that the star became overcome with emotion and struggled to get her words out as she told Elton: ‘You have sacrificed so much for the queer community and you made it so I could be the artist I can be.’

To which Elton remarked that he ‘loved her’ an that she was ‘the best’ before thanking her for joining him on stage.

At the star-studded party, Chappell then launched into a rendition of Elton’s hit Your Song, which she dedicated to her parents before once again praising Elton.

Elton’s words comes after Chappell Roan paid an emotional tribute to him and praised the megastar for his importance to the LGBTQ + community 

The Pink Pony Club hitmaker, 27, had joined Elton, 77, on stage at his annual post Oscars party on Sunday night, where they duetted on a number of tracks including Let the Sun Go Down on Me

She said: ‘I’m gonna sing a song that’s one of my favourite songs of all time. I think it’s like, I don’t know, maybe the best song of all time. 

‘I dedicate it to my parents because they introduced me to Elton John, so I would not even be here were it not for them, and obviously, Elton, this is your song.’

She added that it was ‘scary’ singing the track in front of the person who rote it and sang it.  

Elton also shared some sweet words for Chappell too as he hailed her as one of the biggest stars in the world.

He said Chappell ‘not only speaks with her voice on stage, she speaks with her voice off stage in a candid and wonderful way’.