Elton John Reportedly Melted Down at 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: ‘What the Hell Is Wrong With You People?’

Rocket man, or drama king?

Elton John reportedly blasted off backstage at the Saturday, November 8, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony when delays before his tribute to late Beach Boys musician Brian Wilson sent him into orbit.

Per an onlooker to Page Six, John gave backstage staff an earful, yelling “My plane is waiting!” and adding, “What the hell is wrong with you people? Nobody knows what they’re doing!” 

Sir Elton’s flare-up came just moments before he was set to perform a moving tribute to Wilson who died in June at 82. Thankfully, the music icon, 78, eventually cooled down and delivered an emotional rendition of “God Only Knows,” telling the audience Wilson was his “idol” and calling him the biggest influence on his songwriting.

It’s not the first time John’s temper has made headlines. Back in February, he took to Instagram to share behind-the-scenes footage of himself during the 20-day recording of his album Who Believes in Angels? “It’s a f**king nightmare,” he yelled while slamming his headphones onto his piano.

In 1999, the late Tina Turner recalled on 60 Minutes how the singer “went into a rage” during a VH1 Divas Live rehearsal, before later apologizing for the blow-up.