Sir Elton John has confessed he had a ‘complete meltdown’ while recording his latest record with longtime friend Brandi Carlile. 

The legendary musician, 77, said goodbye to the stage and live performing for good after his Farewell Tour which came to an end in July 2023. 

And now the star has admitted he suffered an ‘adrenaline crash’ following the run of shows, which also included his incredible Glastonbury headline slot. 

Starring in the latest addition of Rolling Stone UK, Elton discussed the process of recording his new album Who Believes In Angels? in just 20 days. 

He said: ‘We went in with nothing prepared. So, the first two or three days were very fraught. I was very, very unhappy… I was full of self-doubt… 

‘But the album really didn’t get started until I had a complete meltdown.’

Sir Elton John has confessed he had a ‘complete meltdown’ after suffering an ‘adrenaline crash’ following his Farewell Tour as he discussed recording his latest record with Brandi Carlile

Talking about recording the album with Brandi Carlile he admitted: ‘We went in with nothing prepared. So, the first two or three days were very fraught. I was very, very unhappy…’

In breathtakingly awkward scenes from his documentary, the pop legend is seen slamming his headphones down and tearing up a piece of sheet music as he tells aghast onlookers: ‘I’m going home’ as he brands the session a ‘f***ing nightmare.’

Speaking in the recent interview he explained: ‘I’ve never really gone into a process like that before, and it was frightening for me. I was really, really afraid. 

‘It’s always good to have fear, but I had a lot of fear… But after we got off to a really bumpy start, it all settled down. 

‘The tenseness, the anxiety in the studio helped the electricity of the album without question… It’s got balls, and it’s got freshness, and it’s got energy. 

‘Exactly what I wanted it to be, and it came out exactly how I visualised it.’

Despite his dramatic moments in the studio, collaborator Brandi gushed over working with the star as she said: ‘He is explosively funny. You can’t keep up with him. He is going to win in a battle of wit. 

‘He’s encyclopaedic about music, always enthusiastic. He’s calling people, helping young people, generous, and just kind of a blast to be around.’ 

Elsewhere in the interview Elton also spoke about the resilience of those who identify as LGBTQ+ having used his platform to fight for the rights and wellbeing of the community. 

He added: ‘It’s always good to have fear, but I had a lot of fear… But after we got off to a really bumpy start, it all settled down’

Despite his dramatic moments in the studio, collaborator Brandi gushed over working with the star as she said: ‘He is explosively funny. You can’t keep up with him’

In awkward scenes from his documentary, the pop legend is seen slamming his headphones down and tearing up a piece of sheet music as he brands the session a ‘f***ing nightmare’ 

Read More Sir Elton John reveals the real reason for THAT furious studio meltdown

He said: ‘Gay people are very strong. It’s like, don’t f**k with them, don’t f**kwith us. When it comes to what actually matters, don’t f**k with us. They’re going to make a noise.’

Elton’s new album, which is set for release on April 4, features a collection of songs collection of songs that touch on the music icon’s legacy while looking firmly to the future.

One song in particular тιтled When This Old World Is Done With Me sees Elton singing about his eventual death. 

Getting candid on what it was like to write about such a deep topic, he said: ‘When you’re 77 years of age and you have a family and you have two children, there’s only a certain amount of time you’ve got left. 

‘Hopefully, I’ve got at least another 20 years. But when you’re actually confronted [with it] on a song, it’s like, “Oh my God.” It really surprised me. I wasn’t expecting it. I don’t like talking about it, but you have to be realistic.’

It comes after reports Elton’s health has ‘deteriorated so badly he has had to sign his autographs with his initial, E and a kiss’.

The star contracted a severe eye infection in July which left him blind in his right eye, with ‘limited vision’ in his left.

And now the musician’s fans ‘were warned he had to simplify his signature’ on the limited edition sets of his new album, according to the Sun.

The legendary musician, 77, said goodbye to the stage and live performing for good after his Farewell Tour which came to an end in July 2023 (pictured at Glastonbury)  

In an interview with The Guardian, Sir Elton confessed that he now has a newfound respect for sight-impaired people and understands how lucky he is.

He told the publication: ‘I’m an optimist permanently, I’ve got bad eyesight at the moment.

‘There have been days I’ve been miserable, but then I think about how lucky I am, I’ve got a new respect for sight-impaired people, but I’ve got a great life and hopefully my sight will improve.

‘I’ve beaten addiction, health issues and can pick myself up, dust myself off.’

The April/May issue of Rolling Stone UK is out now.