Elton John, Rolling Stone no. 223, October 1976

Elton John cover story: "Elton's Frank Talk - The Lonely Love Life Of A Superstar"

Elton's career took a hit after 1976. In November 1977 John announced he was retiring from performing; Taupin began collaborating with others. John secluded himself in any of his three mansions, appearing publicly only to attend the matches of Watford, an English football team of whom he was a lifelong devotee, and that he later bought. Some speculated that John's retreat from stardom was prompted by adverse reactions to the Rolling Stone article.

Elton John: "There is nothing wrong with going to bed with someone of your own sex,"

A carreira de Elton teve uma queda após 1976. Em novembro 1977 John anunciou que estava parando de fazer shows; Taupin começou a colaborar com outros artistas. Elton John se exilou em algumas de suas três mansões, aparecendo publicamente somente aos jogos de Watford, uma equipe inglesa de futebol de quem era um devoto torcedor, e que comprou mais tarde. Algumas especulações relatam que o recuo de  John ocorreu por reações adversas ao artigo da revista Rolling Stones.

Elton John: “Não há nada erradamente com ir para a cama com  alguém de seu próprio sexo,”