New documentary Touched by Gold explores Elton John's connection to gold
Gold has inspired his art, his music, and his sense of individuality
A new documentary about Elton John called Touched by Gold, has been released and is a moving exploration of gold’s enduring influence on culture, creativity, and society. Featuring the legendary singer, who narrates his life story through a golden lens, this documentary sees him reflecting on how the precious metal has inspired his art, style, and individuality throughout his extraordinary career.
From dazzling stage costumes to signature accessories, gold has long been a defining feature of Elton’s identity, embodying both flamboyance and timelessness.
"From the moment I was presented with my first gold disc in 1970, gold has been there throughout some of my defining moments - my gold awards, the microphones I’ve used for some of my biggest albums, and even the gold lamè suit I wore on stage at Glastonbury," said Elton.
"Throughout my career, gold has always had a magic that inspires my music, my style and the way I express myself."
Touched by Gold also highlights how gold has been used in the development of HIV detection technologies. This is a cause that is close to the singer's heart through the work of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Elton set up the foundation back in 1992, and since then it has raised more than $650 million to expand access to health care, combat HIV stigma, and help end AIDS.
What is the documentary film called?
The film is called Touched by Gold.
Is there a trailer?
Yes, there is a trailer, you can watch it below.
How to watch the film
You can watch the film below, as it has now been added to YouTube.
Take a look through other music documentaries you can watch:
Pet Shop Boys: Then and Now (iPlayer)
For the first time ever, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe let a camera crew backstage on their 'Dreamworld' tour in this BBC documentary with Alan Yentob called Pet Shop Boys: Then and Now.
Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story (Disney+)
Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story is a four-part documentary series following the story Bon Jovi right from the beginning up to the present day. Speaking of handing over control to the documentary's director, Jon explained it was: "The whole truth, nothing but the truth.
"We relinquished all control to the director, which, if you're going to do it, we felt that it should be just to speaking the whole truth. Each of our individual truths, really, and then not to sanitise it to your point."
Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible (iPlayer)
Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible is a feature-length film which includes interviews with the likes of Bob Geldof, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie, Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan, The Specials' Jerry Dammers, and Texas' Sharleen Spiteri, along with Manic Street Preachers' James Dean Bradfield, writer Irvine Welsh, actress Molly Ringwald and many album producers.
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band (Disney+)
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band was directed by Bruce Springsteen's longtime collaborator Thom Zimny (Springsteen on Broadway, Willie Nelson & Family, Sly), and it's produced by Zimny, Jon Landau, Springsteen, Adrienne Gerard and Sean Stuart.
The Beatles: Let It Be (Disney+)
This documentary film starring The Beatles was first released in May 1970, in the middle of the band's break-up, but has now been re-released after being restored, on Disney+. The film follows the band as they record songs and rehearse for their last album 'Let It Be'.
WHAM! (Netflix)
From Chris Smith, the director behind the infamous Fyre Fest documentary, fans get the chance to follow Wham! from their early beginnings to the height of their success. The documentary includes footage from George and Andrew's personal archives such as never-before-seen footage, and previously unheard interviews.
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese (Netflix)
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese is described as 'Part documentary, part concert film, part fever dream', by Netflix. The film captures America in the autumn of 1975, and the music that Bob Dylan performs during that time.
Dolly Parton: Here I Am (iPlayer)
Dolly Parton: Here I Am is a documentary following the country singer from her humble beginnings, up to her present global success. The film includes archive footage and interviews with Dolly herself, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
What Happened, Miss Simone? (Netflix)
What Happened, Miss Simone? is a documentary from director Liz Garbus, who weaves together never-before-heard recordings and rare archival footage of the iconic singer, along with many of her well-known tracks.
Amy (Channel4, Apple TV, Prime Video)
Amy is an Oscar-winning documentary about the late singer, who died at the age of just 27. Amy uses extensive archive footage, along with personal videos to delve into the singer, behind the famous face fans knew. Starting in the early years, and following her as she makes her big break into the music industry.
Whitney (Prime Video)
Whitney is a documentary film featuring exclusive performances and footage of the singer known for her hits such as 'I'm Every Woman' and 'I Will Always Love You'. The film had its world premiere as part of the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, with a cinema release soon after. And was nominated at the 61st Grammy Awards for Best Music Film.
The Beach Boys (Disney+)
Including never-before-seen footage and new interviews, The Beach Boys is a brand new documentary available now on Disney+. The documentary follows the band from their humble beginnings to their worldwide success.
Becoming Led Zeppelin (Cinemas)
The long-gestating Led Zeppelin documentary film Becoming Led Zeppelin is finally set to hit cinema screens on 7th February in the UK. The officially-authorised Becoming Led Zeppelin documentary traces the formation and early years of the fabled rock British band.
Cyndi Lauper's Let The Canary Sing (Paramount+)
Streaming platform Paramount+ have released a brand new feature-length documentary to celebrate the remarkable life and career of American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper. The documentary takes the audience on an engaging exploration of a renowned and pioneering artist who has left a remarkable legacy with her art.
Before We Was We: Madness by Madness (ITVX)
Before We Was We: Madness by Madness was added to ITVX in 2024. The documentary follows the band as they started out from their humble beginnings, before becoming for hits such as. 'Baggy Trousers' and 'One Step Beyond'.
Take That (Netflix)
Netflix announced in August 2024 that a new Take That series was in the works. They said 'A new TAKE THAT series is in production! With access to Gary, Howard and Mark and featuring interviews with Jason and Robbie, this series will give unprecedented insight into one of Britain's most successful and beloved bands.'
Elton John: Never Too Late (Disney+)
Elton John: Never Too Late was released in selected cinemas on 15th November 2024, followed by a Disney+ release on 13th December 2024. The documentary is directed by R.J. Cutler and Elton's husband David Furnish, who also serve as producers on the title. Following the release of the film Elton's greatest hits album 'Diamonds', released in 2017 finally reached Number 1 on the UK Album Chart.
Boybands Forever (iPlayer)
Boybands Forever is a three-part series on BBC Two and iPlayer. The series has interviews with the likes of Robbie Williams and Brian McFadden. The executive producer is Louis Theroux.
Luther Vandross (Sky Arts)
Luther Vandross: Never Too Much is a documentary film which was released for one night only in the UK, on 30th January 2025, it was later added to Sky Arts for viewers to stream. The film follows the legendary singer featuring archival footage and interviews with the legendary singer's closest friends and collaborators to tell his story.
Boyzone: No Matter What (Sky Documentaries and NOW)
Boyzone: No Matter What was released on 2nd February on Sky Documentaries and NOW. The documentary features new interviews with the remaining band members Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Michael Graham.
Bono: Stories of Surrender
U2 frontman Bono is the subject of a feature-length documentary film called Bono: Stories to Surrender. It is available to watch on Apple TV+. The documentary is based on the Irish singer's 2022 memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, which featured 40 chapters, each named after a U2 song, and 40 accompanying original drawings by Bono.
Bruce Springsteen: When Bruce Springsteen Came To Britain
The documentary film features an exclusive interview with Bruce Springsteen, as he remembers his first UK gig at the age of 26, when he took to the stage in the Hammersmith Odeon (now the Eventim Apollo). The documentary includes stories from Bruce that he has never told before, opening up about how he suffered from PTSD after his first UK performance.
Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home
Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home is an hour-long documentary special about the last chapter of Ozzy's life. The documentary follows the singer in the last three years of his life with interviews from his family, including Sharon, Jack and Kelly.
Elton John: Touched by Gold
Touched by Gold is a documentary about Elton John's connection with gold. It is a moving exploration of gold's enduring influence on culture, creativity, and society. This documentary sees Elton reflecting on how the precious metal has inspired his art, style, and individuality throughout his extraordinary career.
Now read:
Elton John: Find out more about the legendary musician
A collection of Elton John's biggest career moments
Elton John's biggest collaborations of all time