Legendary singer Elton John, 78, reportedly lost his composure backstage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, November 8, 2025, as delays in the show’s schedule triggered an angry outburst directed at event organizers. The incident occurred at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where John was scheduled to perform a tribute to the late Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson.
According to sources, the show was running behind schedule, causing John to become increasingly frustrated as he waited to take the stage. Eyewitnesses reported that the 1994 Rock Hall inductee began yelling at organizers about the delays, expressing his concerns about his travel arrangements. “What the hell is wrong with you people? Nobody knows what they’re doing!” John allegedly shouted during the backstage commotion. He also reportedly complained, “My plane is waiting!” as the delays continued.
The backstage tension created what sources described as scrambling and discussions in the hallway as staff members worked to address John’s concerns and keep the ceremony on track. Despite the heated moment, John eventually composed himself and took the stage to deliver his scheduled performance without further incident. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony represents one of music’s most prestigious events, honoring artists who have made significant contributions to the evolution of rock and roll.
Once onstage, John performed an emotional rendition of “God Only Knows” as a tribute to Brian Wilson, who passed away in June 2025 at age 82. Notably, John performed the tribute without his piano, a departure from his typical performance style. During the tribute, he spoke warmly about Wilson’s influence on his career, calling the Beach Boys legend his idol and crediting him with shaping his approach to songwriting and piano playing more than any other artist.
The memorial section of the evening also honored Sly Stone, creating a broader tribute to influential figures in rock and roll history. These memorial tributes serve an important function at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremonies, allowing current artists to pay homage to those who paved the way for modern music and ensuring their contributions are remembered by new generations of fans.
This incident marks not the first time John has exhibited temperamental behavior at high-profile music events. According to sources, a similar situation occurred during a 1999 rehearsal for VH1’s “Divas Live” event, when Tina Turner attempted to show John how to play “Proud Mary” on the piano. Turner later recounted in a 2000 interview with “60 Minutes” that John exploded during the rehearsal and stormed off in a rage. She explained that the mistake was trying to show Elton John how to play his piano, acknowledging that her approach had been misguided. However, Turner also noted that John later apologized for his behavior during that incident.
The parallels between the 1999 incident and the recent Hall of Fame ceremony suggest a pattern of reactions when John feels his professional standards are not being met or when circumstances interfere with his preparation and performance schedule. Such moments of temperament are not uncommon among performers who have spent decades at the highest levels of the music industry, where precision and timing often make the difference between a memorable performance and a disappointing one.
John’s relationship with Wilson dated back decades, with the British musician having long cited the Beach Boys founder as a major influence on his musical development. John has spoken publicly about how Wilson influenced his songwriting more than anyone else, particularly when it came to composing songs on the piano. The emotional weight of performing a tribute to someone he considered an idol may have contributed to John’s sensitivity about the ceremony’s timing and execution.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony represents a significant moment in the music industry calendar each year, bringing together legends and contemporary artists to celebrate the evolution of popular music. The event typically runs for several hours and includes multiple performances, speeches, and induction ceremonies, making timing and coordination crucial elements of the production. When delays occur, they can create cascading effects that impact multiple performers and segments of the show.
Despite the backstage drama, sources confirmed that John ultimately went onstage without any visible problems and delivered his performance as scheduled. For John, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994, the evening represented an opportunity to honor a musician he deeply admired, making the delays particularly frustrating in the context of such an important personal tribute.
Representatives for Elton John have not publicly commented on the reported backstage incident at the time of the ceremony.
