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This episode contains strong language, mentions of disordered eating,

and descriptions of drug use.

There's also at least one trashed hotel room.

Please be advised. It's December 1986 in Sydney, Australia.

Elton John is at the Sydney Entertainment Center doing a concert with a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

He's dressed in a black sequined coat with tails and silver stars and a red wig he describes

as Tina Turner on an acid trip. The orchestra's playing the opening overture,

but Elton isn't headed toward the stage. He's running for the exit like the buildings on fire.

Elton's in the middle of a mix between a diva tantrum and a panic attack.

This is the last show of a long tour, and he's physically exhausted. But more than that, he's physically exhausted.

But more than that, he's been having problems with his voice,

serious problems for months now.

He never knows from song to song or note to know what kind of sound he'll make.

Sometimes his voice is fine and normal.

Sometimes it's raspy and croaky.

Sometimes in the middle of a song he'll open his mouth and no sound will come out at all.

Okay that's terrifying for a singer. Yes he's scared and deep down he feels like maybe he has it coming.

After all his self-indulgence and reckless living

maybe the check is finally coming due.

...