The documentary delves deep into Elton John’s peak in the 1970s, showcasing impressive archival footage while alternating between that era and his 2022 Farewell Concert at Dodger Stadium.
One striking scene in Elton John: Never Too Late captures Elton during the ’70s in a revealing moment. In a clip from a 1971 TV interview, a youthful, shaggy-haired Elton, sporting rectangle-framed glasses, sits at a piano with lyrics handwritten by his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin. He casually explains his songwriting process using “Tiny Dancer” as an example. Elton shares how he recognized the word “ballerina” in the lyrics, which led him to decide the song needed a slow tempo. He then demonstrates how he improvised the chords and sang along, revealing how naturally his creative process flowed, often completing songs in 20 to 30 minutes.
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What stands out is how effortlessly Elton describes this process, as if the song almost wrote itself. This moment illustrates the genius of his talent and the spontaneity of pop music in that era.
Though his work seemed casual, the 1970s were marked by some of the best music albums, including Elton’s and those of other icons like Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin, and Queen. Elton, the reigning pop icon of the time, had an unpredictable career, constantly innovating without ever planning to. His songs flowed from him with the ease of breathing.
In the late ’60s, Elton was a shy young Brit who composed for artists like Tom Jones and Lulu. His partnership with Bernie Taupin was serendipitous, forged after responding to an ad in New Musical Express. They met when Elton was handed an unopened envelope of Taupin’s lyrics at Liberty Records.
Their debut album Empty Sky (1969) didn’t take off, but their second, Elton John (1970), saw success with the help of producer Gus Dudgeon, who had worked on David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” Dudgeon and string arranger Paul Buckmaster created the distinctive early Elton sound by recording live with an orchestra, reminiscent of Phil Spector’s approach.
No one could have anticipated the impact of Elton’s legendary performances at the Troubadour in Los Angeles in 1970. The documentary features rare footage of these electrifying shows that spellbound the audience. Elton’s onstage persona soon evolved into an outrageous blend of glam rock, with flamboyant outfits and eccentric stage moves, though he admitted that his physique was far from athletic.
While Never Too Late does cover familiar ground regarding Elton’s struggles with addiction and fame, the documentary, co-directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, offers fresh insight by focusing on his creative peak from 1970 to 1975, including his iconic Dodger Stadium performance in 1975. It balances this with footage from his 2022 Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, showing Elton as a gracious family man, doting on his two sons with Furnish.
Elton looks back on his ’70s life with detachment, often reducing that intense creative period to “just work.” Yet the film highlights how much more his artistry was—comparable to Beethoven composing symphonies, not just “work.” The film also revisits his 1976 Rolling Stone interview, in which he publicly discussed his bisexuality, a courageous step for the time, paving the way for his eventual sobriety in 1990.
While the documentary could have delved deeper into the cultural significance of Elton’s music and style, Never Too Late still honors his legacy, capturing the joy and innovation that defined his career.
