In his first and only official autobiography, music icon Elton John reveals the truth about his extraordinary life, which is also the subject of the smash-hit film Rocketman. The result is Me – the joyously funny, honest and moving story of the most enduringly successful singer/songwriter of all time.
Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three, he was performing his first gig in America, facing an astonished audience in his bright yellow dungarees, a star-spangled T-shirt and boots with wings. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.
His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with the Queen; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation. All the while, Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.
In Me Elton also writes powerfully about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father. In a voice that is warm, humble and open, this is Elton on his music and his relationships, his passions and his mistakes. This is a story that will stay with you, by a living legend.
About the Author:
Sir Elton John, CBE, is a multi-award winning solo artist who has achieved 38 gold and 31 platinum or multi-platinum albums, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, ‘Candle in the Wind 1997’. In August 2018 Elton was named the most successful male solo artist in the Billboard Hot 100 chart history, having logged 67 entries, including nine Number 1s and 27 Top 10s. Elton launched his first tour in 1970 and since then has performed over 4,000 times in more than 80 countries. When not recording or touring, Elton devotes his time to a number of charities, including his own Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $450 million and funded programmes across four continents in the twenty-four years it has existed. He is married to David Furnish, and they have two sons.
‘Me’ is his first and only official autobiography.
My Review:
I absolutely adored the film Rocketman and having grown up with Elton’s songs over the past 50 years I couldn’t wait to listen to the audio version of ME – Elton’s first and only official autobiography narrated by Taron Egerton who played Elton in the film.
ME is a frank, raw and brutally honest account of Elton’s life from his early childhood growing up as an only child in Pinner to the world-famous mega superstar he is today. He openly admits his flaws, his addictions, his fears and shares some hysterical stories about so many famous people. The man is a true DIVA, he’s an incredible gossip and drops names left, right and centre. He talks in length about his addiction to Cocaine, Alcohol and Bulimia, and shares his painful road to recovery via rehab and AA meetings. Elton talks about his mother and their rocky and difficult relationship, his estranged relationship with his distant father and he’s overriding need for acceptance and love.
ME is fascinating, amusing, heartbreaking and often painful to read (listen to). Having listened to Elton’s songs throughout my childhood and adulthood and recognising many of the famous people he met, helped, befriended, fell out with, was mesmerising. I cried, I laughed, I played his music and rewatched Rocketman and absolutely, thoroughly loved every second of his story. Thank you Elton for your honesty, your bravery and your music.
