George Michael, Eminem, Rufus Wainwright, Rumer and Plan B are just a few of the many artists whose careers were aided by having the presence of such a high-profile superstar in their corner during their early days.

But as Elton surveys the record industry in 2011 - and the way it typically handles new artists - he is not happy. Elton's own slow-burn rise to fame was dogged with setbacks.

But too frequently it now appears to him if an ...