Sir Elton John has interviewed Lana Del Rey for Rolling Stone’s first ever Musicians on Musicians issue.

The musician, 72, talked to the 34-year-old songstress about her widely panned 2012 SNL performance, as well as well as reflecting on his own experience of the music industry.

The Rocketman singer told Lana it was ‘distressing’ to see her ‘crucified’ for the much-talked about live show, which saw her branded the ‘worst guest of all time’ by some viewers and celebrity peers.

in conversation: Sir Elton John has interviewed Lana Del Rey for Rolling Stone’s first ever Musicians on Musicians issue, on stands November 5

The incident that almost derailed her career was Lana’s first televised performance ever.

She sung dreamy pop hits Video Games and Blue Jeans from her debut album, but her set was deemed lackluster by her critics.

Elton told her: ‘You came through that awful thing in that Saturday Night Live [in 2012]. Which was so distressing for someone like me to see someone so crucified. I’ve watched it, and it wasn’t that bad!’

Thanking him for his support, Lana agreed: ‘It wasn’t terrible!’

‘It wasn’t terrible at all’, Elton replied. ‘I don’t know what the agenda was there, but where was the #MeToo movement there? […] That’s the first time I ever talked to you.

Incident: The Rocketman singer told Lana it was ‘distressing’ to see her ‘crucified’ for her much-talked about Saturday Night Live performance in 2012

Memorable: She sung dreamy pop hits Video Games and Blue Jeans from her debut album, but her set was deemed lackluster by her critics

‘I rang you up and said, “Listen, I just want to offer my help. I know you’re sober and everything, but just don’t take any notice of these people.”

‘Most people, that would have flattened them forever. It was an outrageous assault.’

Elton also touched upon another memorable gaffe from days of SNL past – when Ashlee Simpson was exposed as lip-syncing along to a pre-recorded track.

Comparing the two, Elton said: ‘You recovered from that incredible shellacking. I’m sure it gave you a lot of trauma. But it also gave you incredible backbone.

‘And I didn’t think it was a major f**k-up. I saw Ashlee Simpson and, yeah, that’s a major f**K-up. That’s funny. Not to her it isn’t, but it’s very funny to watch.’

Elsewhere in the interview, Elton also reflects on his own illustrious career, discussing his three-year Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour.

Coming to an end: Elsewhere in the interview, Elton also reflects on his own illustrious career, discussing his three-year Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour

‘I’m really enjoying it. If I wasn’t, it would be an awful long way to go without enjoying something’, he said.

‘There’s something about the American audiences. They’re more effusive. More stoned.’

Elton said he can’t wait to retire and and focus on raising his two sons Elijah, six, and Zachary, eight, with husband David Furnish.

On giving up life on the road, Elton said: ‘I’ve been traveling since I was 16. My life has been so unstructured.

‘If we hadn’t had children, David and I would have been two very wealthy gay guys going around the world, but to what purpose?

‘The purpose now is to make sure that our boys have the best education, the best chance of doing things, and, most of all, they’re filled with love.

‘And that they have fun. Because, boy oh boy, do they give us a lot of fun.’

Elton’s chat with Lana is just one of 10 epic conversations between music’s biggest names in the latest edition. 

The Musicians on Musicians issue of ROLLING STONE hits newsstands nationwide on November 5th. See it all exclusively at RollingStone.com. 

New issue: Elton’s chat with Lana is just one of 10 epic conversations between music’s biggest names in the latest edition