The short answer is yes, John Reid can still receive royalty income from Elton John, but the structure is more business contract than ongoing manager fee. Their partnership peaked in the 1970s when Reid managed Elton John and earned commission on record deals, tours, and publishing. Today, any money is tied to specific agreements they signed after the management relationship changed, not to a current management role.
The Classic Management Era and Its Earnings
In the 1970s, John Reid managed Elton John and took a percentage of earnings, which was substantial during the most profitable years. That period included landmark albums and world tours, and Reid’s cut came from concert ticket revenue, record sales, and endorsement deals. Because management contracts from that time were often loosely structured, some deals included royalty pass-throughs or backend points that could pay out for many years.
Publishing and Song Royalties Explained
How Song Royalties Work Today
Song royalties are separate from management fees and are usually collected by collecting societies and music publishers. Elton John and Bernie Taupin write the songs, so they own the publishing and receive performance royalties whenever tracks are played. John Reid does not own the underlying songs, so he does not get those creative royalties unless a specific contract says otherwise.
Backend Deals and Contract Terms
Modern Business Agreements
After the classic management period, Reid and Elton John signed business agreements that sometimes included royalty triggers tied to catalog usage, reissues, or brand deals. These are one-off contracts, not a general ongoing royalty right, and they only pay when certain conditions are met. Because such deals are confidential, the public sees only headlines, not the exact numbers or terms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Reid can still receive money from Elton John under specific, limited contracts, but he does not get a general royalty stream from the catalog. The idea of an open-ended royalty share from songs or tours is not accurate under today’s agreements. Most income comes from historic deals rather than current management arrangements.
