The Intriguing Relationship of Elton John and John Reid: Love, Music, and Betrayal
Featured in ‘Rocketman,’ Reid was John’s lover and handled the pop star’s affairs for 28 years before an epic falling out.
The Early Years of Elton John and John Reid In the early 1970s, John Reid was not only Elton John’s lover but also a witness to the rise of one of the greatest entertainers in the world. As Elton John’s manager for 28 years, Reid amassed a significant fortune, which he often spent lavishly on luxuries such as travel, clothing, and homes, much like John himself.
Reid is a prominent character in the musical fantasy film Rocketman, where Taron Egerton stars as Elton John and Richard Madden as John Reid. Additionally, Reid was portrayed by Aidan Gillen in the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, due to his management of the rock group Queen during the mid-1970s.
Reid’s Reluctant Start as John’s Manager Born on September 9, 1949, in the Scottish town of Paisley, John Reid grew up near Glasgow. The son of a welder and a shop worker, he briefly attended Stow College in Glasgow before moving to London in 1967. At 18, Reid entered the music industry as a promoter for EMI and, by 19, was managing the Tamla Motown label in the UK. It was at a company Christmas party that 21-year-old Reid met 23-year-old Elton John.
Their professional partnership lasted 28 years, during which Reid witnessed both the heights of John’s career and the depths of his personal struggles, including issues with alcohol and drugs, marriage and divorce, his partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin, lawsuits, and romantic entanglements.
“When I met Elton, I didn’t even realize his potential,” Reid told Scotland’s Daily Record. “I’ve never claimed to have discovered him. In fact, when he suggested I should manage him, I wasn’t enthusiastic.” Despite this initial hesitation, Reid accepted the role of John’s manager while they were already living together.
A Relationship of ‘First Great’ Loves Reid has described his relationship with Elton John as one of mutual first great loves. Their first sexual encounter, depicted in Rocketman, took place in San Francisco, marking a significant moment in John’s life. “I was a virgin until then,” John revealed at the UK premiere of the film. “I was desperate to be loved, desperate to have a tactile relationship.”
Their romantic relationship lasted from 1970 until 1975, a period during which John produced numerous international hits such as “Your Song,” “Daniel,” “Candle in the Wind,” and “Rocket Man.” Reid recalled the exhausting changes in John’s style, noting how he would frequently alter his appearance dramatically.
The relationship ended as John sought to explore his sexuality more freely, with Reid acknowledging that there were no dramatic fallouts. Nevertheless, Reid continued to manage John’s career until 1998.
Continuing Partnership and Ultimate Betrayal Despite the end of their romantic relationship, Reid remained John’s manager for decades. Both men became immensely wealthy, indulging in sports cars, yachts, jewelry, and property. Reid managed other notable acts, including Queen, Bros, Kiki Dee, Lionel Richie, Billy Connelly, and Michael Flatley.
However, Reid’s aggressive behavior occasionally made headlines. He was imprisoned for a month in New Zealand in 1974 for assaulting a journalist, arrested in San Francisco in 1979 for hitting a hotel doorman, and reportedly assaulted another journalist in 1984 after John’s wedding to Renate Blauel.
Both Reid and John struggled with substance abuse, and Reid checked into rehab in 1991, where John supported him. Unlike John, however, Reid relapsed and continued to struggle with alcohol.
In 1998, their professional relationship ended amid financial disputes. Auditors discovered a £20 million gap in John’s accounts, leading to a lawsuit in which John accused Reid of betrayal. Although Reid had already settled out of court for £3.4 million, the public fallout damaged John’s relationship with his mother, Sheila Farebrother, who blamed the split on John’s partner David Furnish.
Life After the Split Reid retired from the music business in 1999 and has since lived a quiet life. He appeared as a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor in 2005 and reportedly lives in either Australia or London. Despite the public portrayal of their relationship in Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody, Reid has not publicly commented on his depiction in these films.
Reflecting on his time with Elton John, Reid once said, “I’m fond of Elton and proud of the work we did together. One day I’ll bump into him, and there may be hugs and kisses. Or maybe not.”
true story behind Elton John and John Reid’s 28-year partnership, from their romantic beginnings and music industry triumphs to their dramatic fallout.
