Sir Elton John’s band feared he had been shot on stage after the singer was left bloodied by a metal “hash pipe” hurled by a fan.
The ‘Rocket Man’ singer, 77, was playing a gig in Greensboro, North Carolina, when the incident happened – which sparked panic among him backing musicians and team as it left him unconscious with blood pouring down his face before he had to be hauled into the wings for medical treatment.
In an extract from Elton’s book ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ reported by RadarOnline.com, he said about being struck in the temple with the drug pipe chucked at him from the crowd: “Fans have often thrown things onstage when I’m playing, but usually it’s been something reasonably soft. Not in Greensboro.
“As we ploughed through a rendition of ‘Burn Down the Mission’, someone hurled a metal hash pipe toward the stage from the crowd. I didn't see it coming.
“The silver pipe smashed against my temple, drawing blood, and I completely blacked out.
“The band kept playing because it took them a second to realise what had happened.
“They told me later they thought I’d been shot because they saw blood pouring down my face.”
Elton added his bodyguard at the time Jim Morris, who was a former Mr Universe, dragged him to the side of the stage before a paramedic bandaged his head.
The Grammy winner recently shocked fans after announcing at the West End premiere of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ alongside his husband, David Furnish, he was unable to watch the performance as he’s “lost” his sight following an eye infection over the summer.
Speaking at the London showing, he told fans: “I’ve lost my eyesight and cannot see the stage.
“As some of you may know, I have had issues, and now I have lost my sight.
“I haven’t been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed it.
“To my husband, who’s been my rock because I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews... it’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it, and it sounded good tonight, OK.
“Thank you for coming!”
