Network Entertainment, the team behind the recently released Brats documentary, has started production on a documentary following the life and career of lyricist Bernie Taupin, best known for his long-time creative partnership with Elton John.
The documentary is being directed by Matthew Miele (Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion) and will feature newly commissioned interviews and archival content. The team will follow Bernie on a trip back to his hometown of Lincolnshire, where he’ll explore the roots of his creativity and the origins of some of his biggest hits.
Elton John will, of course, be interviewed, alongside a collection of artists including Brandi Carlile, Alice Cooper, James Hetfield, Annie Lennox, Lulu, Gary Oldman, Ringo Starr, and Pete Townshend.
Taupin shared his thoughts on the doc: “Reticent as I am to scrutiny, this project has been enlightening both on an emotional and analytical level. The originality of all parties involved has made participating in it much easier as I loosen my grip on the cards I hold closest to my chest.”
Producer Miele shared, “I think many people are unaware that the phenomenon that is Elton John is really two people. And as talented and flamboyant as the melody maker of that duo has become, one can’t help but be curious about the one who writes the words, the storyteller. Having the opportunity to chronicle the brown dirt cowboy, aka Bernie Taupin, has been a story I have been working toward my entire career.”
Taupin collaborated with John to create an incredible number of hits, including, but not limited to, “Your Song,” “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time),” “Tiny Dancer,” “Candle in the Wind” and “Bennie and the Jets.” The duo were awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in March of this year, and Taupin was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November. He recently wrote the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling autobiography, Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton, and Me.
Listen to the best of Elton John on Apple Music and Spotify.
