After The Show | Elton John: A Coming Out Story. Finding Love, Living Openly, and Changing LGBTQ+ History
🎹 Listen to Elton John’s “Your Song” on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/38zsOOcu31XbbYj9BIPUF1?si=idGnFS_wTUecHAcT2BFEzA&utm_source=copy-link
Elton John could fill Madison Square Garden, then go back to his hotel and wonder whether anyone really knew him.
In October 1976, he told Rolling Stone he was bisexual. The world had plenty to say about it. But saying those words didn’t end the loneliness or make the years ahead easy.
Released on the eve of that interview’s 50th anniversary, “After the Show” follows Elton’s coming-out story through addiction, recovery, his friendship with Ryan White, and the life he eventually built with David Furnish and their sons. We also return to Princess Diana’s funeral, when a familiar voice helped millions of us find somewhere to put our grief.
Along the way, I share my own memories of discovering Elton’s music—and what I understand differently now, having come out at 49. There’s even a detour through a jeans commercial some of you will remember a little too well.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens after you finally tell the truth, this one’s for you.
Follow The Secret Is OUT wherever you listen, and share this episode with someone who knows Elton’s songs but might not know his story.
REFERENCES & FURTHER READING
• Cliff Jahr, Rolling Stone: “Elton John Comes Out as Bisexual in Rolling Stone’s 1976 Cover Story.” Originally published October 7, 1976.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/elton-john-lonely-at-the-top-rolling-stones-1976-cover-story-238734/
• Ian Parker, The New Yorker: “He’s a Little Bit Funny.” August 1996. A profile exploring Elton’s recovery, private life, and relationship with David Furnish.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1996/08/26/elton-john-profile-hes-a-little-bit-funny
• Elton John AIDS Foundation: “Our History.” Ryan White’s influence, the Foundation’s beginnings, and its work confronting HIV and stigma.
https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/about-us/our-history/
• Elton John’s official website: “1990s.” Career milestones and the impact of “Candle in the Wind 1997.”
https://www.eltonjohn.com/timelines/1990s
• PEOPLE: “Elton John and David Furnish’s Relationship Timeline.” Their relationship, civil partnership, marriage, and family.
https://people.com/music/elton-john-david-furnish-relationship-timeline/
MUSIC CREDITS
Music licensed through Uppbeat:
• “Beautiful Space” by Corinne
• “Head High” by Goldeny
• “Feeling Cool Tonight” by Airstream
• “Slender” by Cedric Vermue
• “Air Between Us” by Hele
• “Story Unfolding” by Evoli
• “Float” by Tristan Barton