Elton John, one of the most successful and beloved musicians of all time, shares his life story in his memoir “Me.” The book takes readers on a journey through John’s childhood, his rise to fame, and his personal struggles with addiction and mental health. “Me” is a raw and honest account of John’s life, providing readers with an intimate look at the man behind the music.
Chapter 1: Early Life
John begins the book by sharing his childhood in Pinner, Middlesex, England. He was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, to Stanley Dwight and Sheila Eileen. John’s parents were strict and conservative, and he struggled to fit in with their expectations. At the age of seven, John began taking piano lessons and quickly showed a natural talent for music. However, his parents did not support his interest in music and instead pushed him towards a career in law or medicine.
Chapter 2: The Yellow Brick Road
In the early 1960s, John began playing in local bands and working as a session musician. It was during this time that he met songwriter Bernie Taupin, who would become his lifelong collaborator. Together, they wrote songs for other artists and eventually landed a record deal with Liberty Records. John’s first album, “Empty Sky,” was released in 1969, but it was his second album, “Elton John,” that catapulted him to fame. The album featured the hit single “Your Song,” which became a top-ten hit in both the US and UK.
Chapter 3: The Rocket Man
With the success of “Elton John,” John’s career took off. He released a string of successful albums, including “Tumbleweed Connection,” “Madman Across the Water,” and “Honky Château.” John’s music was characterized by its theatricality, with elaborate costumes and live performances that included playing the piano while standing on top of it. John also became known for his extravagant lifestyle, which included excessive spending, drug use, and a penchant for wearing glasses with no lenses.
Chapter 4: The Thin White Duke
In the early 1970s, John’s personal life began to unravel. He struggled with drug addiction and was diagnosed with bulimia. He also began a relationship with American record executive John Reid, which ended in a bitter breakup. Despite these challenges, John continued to release successful albums, including “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.”
Chapter 5: The AIDS Epidemic
In the 1980s, John’s life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with AIDS. He had contracted the virus from a blood transfusion during a surgery to remove a benign tumor from his spine. John’s diagnosis came at a time when AIDS was still a mysterious and deadly disease, and he was one of the first public figures to go public with his diagnosis. John used his platform to raise awareness about the disease and advocate for better treatment and care for those affected.
Chapter 6: The Phoenix
Despite his diagnosis, John continued to release music and tour. In 1992, he released “The One,” which featured the hit single “The One.” John also began a relationship with David Furnish, which led to the birth of their two sons, Zachary and Elijah. In 1998, John announced that he was cancer-free and had been able to stop taking medication for his AIDS diagnosis.
Chapter 7: The Final Bow
In the 2000s, John continued to tour and release music. He also began a successful partnership with the luxury brand Louis Vuitton, which led to the creation of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. In 2004, John announced his retirement from touring, but he continued to perform select shows and release music. In 2019, John embarked on a farewell tour, which was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
Elton John’s memoir “Me” is a raw and honest account of his life, from his childhood in England to his rise to fame and his personal struggles with addiction and mental health. John’s story is a testament to the power of music and the resilience of the human spirit. “Me” is a must-read for fans of Elton John and anyone interested in the life of one of the most successful and beloved musicians of all time.
Interested in reading the whole book?
Buy the book “Bedtime Biography_ Me” on Amazon
