Both John and Jackson had extraordinary music careers that many artists could only wish for, and at times, their paths crossed.
In his 2019 memoir, Me, the 77-year-old “I’m Still Standing” singer shared surprising remarks about the King of Pop, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 50.
In a remarkable excerpt shared by Radar Online, Elton John mentioned that he had known Michael Jackson “since he was 13 or 14” and described him as “the most adorable kid you could imagine.”
John believes things took a turn when Jackson started distancing himself from reality as his mental health declined, especially in the later stages of his life.
Hinting at Jackson’s struggle with painkillers, John wondered “what prescription drugs he was being pumped full of.”
By the 2000s, the “Rocket Man” singer concluded that Jackson had “totally lost his marbles.”
However, Elton John insists that Jackson’s issues began much earlier than that.
John recalled a moment in the ’90s when he and the “Billie Jean” singer were having lunch, and he noticed that Jackson looked unwell, his face covered with makeup and plaster.
“The poor guy looked awful, really frail and ill,” John said.
Things took a strange turn during the lunch when Jackson suddenly left the table “without a word.”
John claims that Jackson was later discovered in his housekeeper’s cottage, “quietly playing games” with her 11-year-old son.
In another part of the memoir, John summed up his feelings about Jackson, saying: “He was genuinely mentally ill, a disturbing person to be around.”
Even though Michael Jackson has millions of fans across the globe, his reputation took a hit after the accusations highlighted in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland.
The film, directed and produced by Dan Reed, centers on Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who claim that they were s**ually abused by Jackson when they were children.
After Leaving Neverland aired, the Jackson family spoke with Gayle King on CBS This Morning to address the accusations that the “Thriller” singer had abused young children at his Neverland Ranch.
The Jackson family argues that Robson and Safechuck came forward because they wanted financial gain.
Marlon Jackson, the singer’s brother, remarked: “I want them to understand and know that this documentary is not telling the truth. There has not been not one piece of evidence that corroborates their story.”
Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009, as a result of a deadly mix of prescription drugs.
According to ABC News, the Los Angeles coroner’s office determined that Jackson’s death was caused by acute propofol intoxication, with the effects of benzodiazepines also playing a role in his death.
The coroner further classified Jackson’s death as a homicide.
His personal physician, Conrad Murray, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2011. He served half of his four-year prison sentence, as reported by People.