The criticism around Elton John’s temper is back in the headlines after new backstage claims surfaced. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, long celebrated as the “Rocket Man”, is facing renewed scrutiny for allegedly volatile outbursts.
According to insider accounts, his temperament reportedly erupted again around the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. Consequently, talk has centered on whether age and pressure have sharpened those flashes of anger.
Elton John has become ‘impossible’ and his temper ‘worse than ever,’ claims source
Multiple insiders told #ShuterScoop, cited in Rob Shuter’s substack, that Elton John’s temper has escalated. One source said, “He used to be a lovable diva….Now he’s just… nasty. He screams, he snaps, and he doesn’t care who’s watching.”
Meanwhile, witnesses cited by Page Six recalled a flare-up before showtime, with John barking, “My plane is waiting!” An eyewitness added, “He was red-faced, veins popping — pure fury. People were whispering, ‘He’s worse than ever.”
Contextually, the singer-pianist has a history of combustible moments. Previously, fans remembered his “Divas Live” rehearsal clash with Tina Turner over a suggested piano arrangement. As per Page six, she told “60 Minutes” in 2000: “I made a mistake when I needed to show him how to play ‘Proud Mary.'” The singer added, “The mistake is you don’t show Elton John how to play his piano.”
Yet, insiders now argue the fuse seems shorter. A longtime associate said, “He’s got zero patience….If things don’t go his way, he explodes.” Even so, he reportedly composed himself afterwards and delivered an emotional tribute to Brian Wilson, underscoring the enduring power of his performance.
Furthermore, production timelines can magnify strain: tightly stacked cues, VIP travel, and live cameras leave little room for error. Therefore, crew friction can spike quickly, especially around departures and backstage resets. Still, the temper chatter of Elton John persists because the contrast is stark. On one hand, there’s the Grammy-strewn showman, and on the other, a boss who, according to sources, can be “impossible” when plans slip.
