Elton John recalls horrifying on-stage attack when he ‘blacked out’ amid fears he had been shot

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA: Elton John recounted a terrifying moment from his decades-long career when a metal hash pipe hurled from the audience left him bloodied and unconscious during a concert.

The incident occurred in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1974 as John, 77, performed his hit 'Burn Down the Mission'.

Elton John's near-disaster incident

Speaking about the shocking event, Elton John revealed in his new book, 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road', “Fans have often thrown things onstage when I’m playing, but usually it’s been something reasonably soft. Not in Greensboro.”

The music legend explained that the pipe struck his temple mid-performance, causing him to black out while blood streamed down his face.

His band initially thought he had been shot, leading to chaos on stage.

“I completely blacked out. The band kept playing because it took them a second to realize what had happened,” John shared.

The singer’s bodyguard at the time, Jim Morris, a former Mr Universe, rushed to his aid, dragging the unconscious performer offstage.

“There were feathers everywhere,” John recalled, referencing his elaborate stage costume.

“A paramedic was bandaging my head,” he added.

Despite the harrowing experience, John now reflects on it fondly, calling it one of his “favorite” tour memories.

Elton John opens up on battling vocal cysts in Australia

Another grueling chapter in Elton John’s touring career unfolded during a series of shows in Australia where he battled painful vocal cysts.

Despite being advised by doctors to cancel his performances, John chose to continue, citing the financial stakes and his commitment to fans.

“Too many people were involved in the tour and too much money was at stake. And I still wanted to sing,” he explained.

By the final night of the tour in December 1986, John was physically exhausted and emotionally strained.

“I could barely get words out,” he admitted while the show was being broadcast live on television.

During a performance of 'Rocket Man', John felt his voice falter but persevered, determined to give fans his best.

“I didn’t want to give up mid-show,” he said. Three weeks later, he underwent throat surgery that altered the sound of his voice but allowed him to continue performing.

Elton John's ongoing health battles

Elton John’s health challenges have mounted in recent years as he has undergone numerous surgeries, including hip and knee replacements, and survived life-threatening conditions such as appendicitis in 2013.

In 2020, he contracted pneumonia, and earlier this year, a bacterial infection in France caused a severe decline in his eyesight.

He now has “low vision” after the infection spread to both eyes.

John has also battled prostate cancer and underwent a stent procedure to address heart issues in 1999, according to Radar Online.