Elton John Recalls Doing 'Mountains of Cocaine' with John Lennon, Was the 'Catalyst' for Yoko Ono Reconciliation

Mar. 15, 2025

Sir Elton John, John Lennon.Photo:Dave Benett/Getty, Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Dave Benett/Getty, Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Elton Johnrevealed he may have a hand in reunitingJohn LennonwithYoko Ono.In the “Tiny Dancer” hitmaker’s new documentaryElton John: Never Too Late— which premiered at theToronto International Film Festivalon Friday, Sept. 6 — John, 77, reflected on his storied career and divulged some memories with a few famous friends, from Lennon and Ono toAndy Warhol.The “Candle in the Wind” artist reflected on a late-night drug binge in a New York City hotel room where he and Lennon had “mountains of coke coming out of our noses” at 2 a.m. He noted that he was “being paranoid,” and thought when he heard a knock at the door: “Is that the police?”The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!John continued, “It took me about five minutes to walk across to the peephole, and I saw it was Andy Warhol. And I went to John, ‘Andy,’ and John went, ‘No way!’ So he kept ringing the bell.”Sine the Grammy winner knew that the famed visual artist “carried the camera everywhere - the Polaroid,” they didn’t want to let him in the room.“Like no thanks,” John said. “That was the fun part of cocaine.”Sir Elton John performs in April 2023 in London.Simone Joyner/Getty ImagesJohn also revealed that he helped Lennon and Ono reconcile.“I was probably the catalyst of John and Yoko getting back together,” the “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” singer said in reference to Lennon’s surprise appearance at John’s Thanksgiving Day 1974 concert at Madison Square Garden.“If I hadn’t told him to do the show, maybe he had never met Yoko again,” he said. John’s guitarist, Davey Johnstone, has previously stated that Lennon was unaware Ono was at the concert, perInside Hook.“Of course, they did get back together and they hadSean [Lennon],” John continued. “He became in love again, and so his wildness, he kind of stopped the drugs, stopped the craziness. I was happy for him.”He quipped, “Didn’t stop my craziness.”Yoko Ono and John Lennon at London Airport on July 14, 1971.R. Brigden/Daily Express/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Lennon and Ono first met in London in 1966 and married in Gibraltar in 1969 — one year before and the Beatles split. They separated for 18 months and reunited in 1974.The following year, in October 1975, the pair welcomed their son together, Sean.  In 1980,Lennon was shot and killedwhile walking into their New York City apartment.Elton John: Never Too Lateis set to premiere on Disney+ on Dec. 13.

Elton Johnrevealed he may have a hand in reunitingJohn LennonwithYoko Ono.In the “Tiny Dancer” hitmaker’s new documentaryElton John: Never Too Late— which premiered at theToronto International Film Festivalon Friday, Sept. 6 — John, 77, reflected on his storied career and divulged some memories with a few famous friends, from Lennon and Ono toAndy Warhol.

The “Candle in the Wind” artist reflected on a late-night drug binge in a New York City hotel room where he and Lennon had “mountains of coke coming out of our noses” at 2 a.m. He noted that he was “being paranoid,” and thought when he heard a knock at the door: “Is that the police?”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

John continued, “It took me about five minutes to walk across to the peephole, and I saw it was Andy Warhol. And I went to John, ‘Andy,’ and John went, ‘No way!’ So he kept ringing the bell.”

Sine the Grammy winner knew that the famed visual artist “carried the camera everywhere - the Polaroid,” they didn’t want to let him in the room.

“Like no thanks,” John said. “That was the fun part of cocaine.”

Sir Elton John performs in April 2023 in London.Simone Joyner/Getty Images

Simone Joyner/Getty Images

John also revealed that he helped Lennon and Ono reconcile.

“I was probably the catalyst of John and Yoko getting back together,” the “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” singer said in reference to Lennon’s surprise appearance at John’s Thanksgiving Day 1974 concert at Madison Square Garden.

“If I hadn’t told him to do the show, maybe he had never met Yoko again,” he said. John’s guitarist, Davey Johnstone, has previously stated that Lennon was unaware Ono was at the concert, perInside Hook.

“Of course, they did get back together and they hadSean [Lennon],” John continued. “He became in love again, and so his wildness, he kind of stopped the drugs, stopped the craziness. I was happy for him.”

He quipped, “Didn’t stop my craziness.”

Yoko Ono and John Lennon at London Airport on July 14, 1971.R. Brigden/Daily Express/Getty

R. Brigden/Daily Express/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Lennon and Ono first met in London in 1966 and married in Gibraltar in 1969 — one year before and the Beatles split. They separated for 18 months and reunited in 1974.

The following year, in October 1975, the pair welcomed their son together, Sean.  In 1980,Lennon was shot and killedwhile walking into their New York City apartment.

Elton John: Never Too Lateis set to premiere on Disney+ on Dec. 13.

source: people.com