Where Is Elton John's Lover Turned Manager From Hell John Reid Today?

Apr. 27 2020, Updated 2:00 p.m. ET

Warning: minor Rocketman spoilers ahead!

There are a large number of unsavory characters in the Elton John biopic / musical Rocketman — but John Reid is no doubt the worst of the worst. 

Portrayed through Richard Madden, the song manager took good thing about Elton and made it very clear to the "Benny and the Jets" singer that he cared extra about industry than his well-being. At one level, John calls Elton a "prick" as he is being carted into an ambulance. 

WTF. 

Unfortunately, Elton (performed via Taron Egerton) was in love with John — who also made in look in Bohemian Rhapsody, FYI — and it wasn't until years later that their non-public and industry dating came to an end. 

Who is John Reid?  

The Scotland native met Elton on the Motown Recording Studio in the '70s (in the movie the pair met at a birthday celebration after Elton's efficiency on the LA music venue Troubadour) and in line with John, Elton "was a dumpy, balding little guy in a funny jumpsuit who used to go around cadging records."

The movie also portrays Elton dropping his virginity to John, a second the real-life Elton made positive was once included in the movie. "I’m so glad it’s in there because I am a gay man and I didn’t want to airbrush it under the carpet," he informed The Irish Mirror. "I was a virgin until then. I was desperate to be loved and desperate to have a tactile relationship. When they tear their clothes off in the movie, that was how it happened. It was in San Francisco."

They went on to be fans between 1970 and 1975, right through which period Elton launched some of his biggest hits together with, "Your Song," “Candle in the Wind,” and “Rocket Man."

Unfortunately, John proved to have a temper, and at one point in the film, John can be seen putting his hands on Elton before a performance. 

His violent tendencies were documented in a 1974 Rolling Stone article, and at the time John did not deny that he had anger issues.  

"They’re remoted incidents," John told Rolling Stone. "I don’t make excuses, I’m no longer specifically pleased with it, however any time anything like this has took place, it’s been in protection of Elton or Bernie, not for personal causes." 

Right... 

After 30 years, Elton and John's tumultuous relationship came to an end. 

Twenty five years after their personal relationship ended, Elton finally cut all ties with John but it was not amicable. In fact, in 1998, Elton sued John for allegedly stealing millions from him.

"John claimed to have found a £20 million hole in his accounts and sued Reid, an associate and accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers. John argued that his control crew had no longer met sure touring bills out of the "generous" fee he paid them," the Telegraph reported. "Reid and John settled out of courtroom — Reid paying John £3.4 million — however the case against PWC and Reid's colleague Andrew Haydon, either one of whom contested the allegations, hit the High Court in 2000." 

Where is John Reid today?

You would think that John's career would be over, but that couldn't be further from the truth. John, now age 69, most recently appeared as a judge on Season 1 and 2 of The X Factor Australia in 2005. 

He was expected to show up to the Cannes premiere of Rocketman but he did not attend. And who can blame him after his portrayal in not only this movie, but Bohemian Rhapsody (where is was portrayed by Littlefinger himself, Aiden Gillen) as well. 

But if the latest tabloid reports can be believed, he is retired, living in London (or Australia) enjoying his golden years out of the spotlight — and probably still living on the 20 percent he made off of Elton's career. 

"I’m fond of Elton and pleased with the paintings we did together,” John reportedly stated in the 2010s. "One day I’ll bump into him and there may be hugs and kisses. Or maybe not."

We are going to move with not. Watch Rocketman in theaters now. 

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