‘The rock memoir of the decade’ Daily MailIn 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 … time.
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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.
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‘Self-deprecating, funny . . . You cannot help but enjoy his company throughout, temper tantrums and all’ The Times
‘Chatty, gossipy, amusing and at times brutally candid’ Telegraph
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Being a bit obsessed with music,combined with the fact that Elton is pretty fascinating, made this seem like it might be an interesting read for me.
Elton is extremely open; between his candor and his self awareness, this truly was interesting. Combine that with quite a few laugh-out-loud minutes, and you’ve got a great read or listen. And it turns out he’s a brilliant writer.
About halfway in, preposterously, I started to feel as though I was getting to know Elton. Of course I absolutely do not know anything more about him than he chose to reveal, but getting this feeling across is a testament to his writing ability.
This is a fun read and look into the music industry; I do feel both fans and non-fans alike could enjoy this book.
Well done! 4 stars.
Note:
I listened to the audiobook and a bit of it is narrated by Elton himself, which is pretty cool.
Back in 1973, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was the first album I bought, using money saved from my paper round. From the opening bars of the first track, I became and have remained a fan of Elton John and his music.
From the moment I started reading his autobiography, I knew it would be as good as his music.
While this is a remarkably candid, warts and all autobiography, it’s also a funny, uplifting life story that reveals many triumphs over adversity as the singer songwriter slowly discovers who he really is and becomes comfortable in his own skin.
While his adventures and misadventures are often epic in scale, the issues at the heart of his behaviour are no different to those that might be experienced by anyone whose parents argued and struggled to show their love for their children. His determination to confront his demons and his search for true love are only different in their scale and for being played out in the full gaze of the public and media.
Throughout the highs and lows, Elton John never loses his love of music or performing live. Despite his short temper and tantrums, he remains a warm and funny man who cares deeply for those he loves and respects.
I can’t recommend this moving and life affirming story enough. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll understand why he’s the ultimate entertainer.
As a fan of Elton John, and someone who loved the biopic, Rocketman, I was eager to read this book. I was not disappointed. I appreciated the candor, and the style was an easy read. It was like sitting down with Elton and reviewing his life. I enjoy Cinderella stories, of ordinary people with extraordinary talent, succeeding. It was inspirational and entertaining. If you like Elton, this is your book.
ME : ELTON JOHN : Narrated by Elton John & Taron Egerton
Read : 02/02/20 – 06/02/20
The Rocketman Blows Your Mind Into Outer Space Beyond The Yellow Brick Road With This Amazing Autobiography, Me!
Outrageous, Outlandish, Opulence,
Over The Yellow Brick Road & into Outer Space!!!
So Bright, The Glitter & Glam Will Blind You.
The Razzle & Dazzle, The Fortune Of Fame, The Infamous & Their Stories Will Blow You Into Space Soaring Higher Than The Rocketman’s Soared Before!
Both The Man, The Music, His Fame, The Legacy & His Charity Work, His Family, The Lengendary Man Himself, This is Sir Elton John, No Bars Hold!!!
His Tears, Tantrums and Tiaras.
Shockingly Serious Scandals And Snickers & Snigger’s that’ll have You Rolling On The Floor Clutching Your Sides In Laughter One moment to the next, holding back the flood gate of tears with a lump in your throat the size of Uluru. Paparazzi Flashes, Fan mobs knocking grannies over & trampling them to, Sobs, Shouts, Shrieks.
Salacious rendezvous & a fella in every port to replace the last. Booze, Spliffs, snorts, pills & poppers. And One Seriously Sick Guitarist Scandalous Sexual Fetish With Chickens That’ll Be Scorched Into Your Memory Banks to the day you die!!! (He did not hire).
This story takes you through the early days of Reginald Dwights unstable miserable family life throughout every stage and range of his life.
From the highs & lows, of the man & the music.The good, the bad, the ugly & the down right incredible and unbelievable, and sensational and every emotion from apathy & arrogance to zeal & zest and back again!
The music, the hits, the misses, the ablums, the awards, the videos, the people, friends & foes, the deeply sad losses along the way, the AIDS epidemic, drugs, alcohol and suicide epidemic & the horrific murders of those we all love & admired from Freddie Mercury, ex friends & lover’s of Elton’s, to Gianni Versace, John Lennon, Princess Diana & George Michael.
Finally seeing sense, Elton entered rehab, with an ex-lover, choosing to sober up, changing his ways. The relationship never survive, but Elton continued turning up to Alcoholic Anonymous & Narcotics Anonymous meetings everyday for three years straight.
And always the first place he would visit upon landing in a foreign country, heading straight to a meeting.
Elton is such an advocate of AA, NA Body disorder syndrome he is known to reach out to any star in trouble these days for a helping hand. The sign of a true superstar!
Looking after himself & his music, his career, Elton finally found his soul mate, long time partner / husband David Furnish & began a family with his husband & their two beautiful boys Zachary and Elijah, whom Elton finally gave up a life on the road for.
David set about recording & producing the film Rocketman, while the final tour, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” World Tour was set with over 300+ shows over a three year period. Elton has not retired, just no more tours, trying for a more normal life or as normal as possible a life for Sir Elton John & family can be!
The Best Damn Autobiography I’ve Ever Read & Listened Too At The Same Time.
Elton John, Taron Egerton & Alexis Petridis Are Masters At Their Crafts!!! This topped Rocketman The Biopic for me, as it took us through both Reg & Elton’s full Life, not just parts of it up to a certain point.
How on Earth this Superstar has continued shooting up the charts decade after decade & not lying 6 foot under & worm food s is beyond me.
Sir Elton should be dead several times over, this cat has 9 Lives!!! From suicide attempt/s, cocaine, alcohol, food & body problem images and addiction to playing gigs with a ruptured appendix, to nodules on his neck (if cancerous would have required voice box removal), pancreatic cancer & subsequent surgery, to open heart surgery and a pacemaker, The Bitch Is Back!!!
This Rocketman sure has the fuel for a long & prosperous life & career!
There are so many incredible scenes or moments in a journey this fabulously outrageous & long lasting, but one of my absolute favourite scenes is when Elton John agrees to be DJ & Wedding Singer for Rush Lindbergh’s wedding. This man is a right-winged, renowned homophobic! As Elton quotes… As a Wedding Singer I do not come cheap!
Many from the LGBTQ+ Community claimed Elton sold out, for the money, and yes he did, but not in the way they thought.
Elton had ulterior motives, seeing the bigger picture, and a massive donation with a whopping big homophobic cheque cashed straight to his AIDS Foundation!
Every penny went to the foundation!
Taron Egerton showed the world a younger facsimile of Elton in Rocketman, but this incrediblly gifted young actor & singer has gone one step further this time narrating Sir Elton John’s Memoirs in his fabulous book ‘Me’. His narrative is flawless, he knows exactly when to take a breath or where that pregnant pause is needed and when to throw in the added chuckle or to be deadly serious.
A top notch performance that I throughly loved. At first I was disappointed Sir Elton didn’t narrator himself, but I think he chose wisely. I actually preferred listening to Taron, I think I was used to the voice from the movie, even though I’ve heard Sir Elton’s voice since I was a infant.
While Elton narrates the dedication, prologue, the epilogue & acknowledgements. I think this is the perfect way to begin & cap it off.
The man he chose to portray himself on film, on paper & dics brilliantly handles the rest & I can not conceive anyone else taking on that role, doing it justice, nor surpassing his performance with the excellence Taron achieved.
I RATE BOTH BOOK & AUDIO ME
5 OUT OF 5
Not only do I highly recommend buying this book Me, but I suggest if you haven’t seen the Biopic Rocketman you do so immediately. Its Bloody Sensational!
The Man, the Story and the Music along the way will take you back in time sending shivers down your spine.
You will not regret it!
I borrowed a copy of this Hardback & the Audiobook from my local public library and this is my fair, honest and impartial review as always.
Reviewed By : Jewelz Pederick
From the
(Bye Love From The Crazy Australian BookWorm)!
I found it extraordinary. Elton jumped a lot of hurdles in his life. He has a loving heart. I’m very glad he found happiness! Elton deserves it!!
This is one of the most amazing books I’ve ever read. It made me laugh, it made me cry & it made me realize how short life is. The library only let me have it for 2 weeks because it’s a new release. I have read it twice & it’s simply a treasure. It is totally going on my “to buy” list.
A very enjoyable and interesting read, Me by Elton John gives a very direct insight to the life of a superstar. I didn’t expect this book to be as humorous as it was, Elton is a very down to earth guy who has lead a very interesting life filled with lots of ups and downs. I would recommend this book.
Loved this book. I will read it again.
I watched the movie on Elton and then read his book. I loved seeing the events that were mentioned in the movie through the eyes of the legend. They don’t all blend perfectly and even when they do blend, the twist on them was huge.
I recommend all lovers of his music to read his book.
Many years ago, I used to work as a courier for a concert promoter, I would travel up and down the UK delivering fans to concerts from the newest pop artist to the biggest rock star visiting our shores, I had seen more rock bands and music stars in the 3 years that I did that job than I could have imagined, some I loved some I hated. Elton John was one of those concerts and up until that time I didn’t really care for his music, One night I had one ticket left over and no one claimed it so I used and went and watched the most unbelievable talented charismatic born entertainer I had ever seen, From that day forward I was an ardent fan, i came home and devoured any and all that he had released or wrote or been part off. He is one of the most flamboyant men of our time. Talent oozes from him. So to see this book out I knew I had to read it, I was not disappointed and like a fine wine it was to be savored.
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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 1’s and 27 Top 10’s. 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.
He is without doubt one of England’s finest musicians.
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For far to many years the press in this country and abroad have painted him with a brush of a self indulgent, drug riddled unfit for purpose individual, who is prone to hysterical tantrums, he may have his moments don’t we all, and yes he probably did live a life of excess, how many of these so called rock stars and actors haven’t, they believe themselves infallible. When underneath it all they are frightened children who have no idea what they are doing until it is nearly and in some horrific cases too late.
Did Elton write this himself or use a ghost writer I honestly can not say have no idea if he did. The book is quite straight forward, its like someone keeping a journal kind of writing, almost uni formal
I read this over a few days rather than my usual straight read through, I thoroughly enjoyed it, For someone who has had a lived a life that is so far away from what us normal people have lived its hard to understand the excesses, but through it all he still managed to keep his humour he is extraordinarily funny generous he would never be someone you could forget and never ever be labelled as your average Joe in the street. What I loved about the book also it all the stories with regards to other musicians his relationships with royalty,and family. Princess Diana adored him. Him singing at her funeral broke me that day. I will never forget that day I finally got to see a real live living legend and never been more thankful that someone didn’t turn up for their ticket. I adore him, his work for charity his love for people and his friends is second to none. Long may he reign
Fabulous read from start to finish.
Oh, I adored this book. Elton has had – is having – the most incredible life. His autobiography is gossipy and hilarious, but also frequently moving and inspiring. I didn’t want it to end.