With Pride month now in full swing, I'm happy to showcase a few books that either feature LGBTQ+ characters or are written by LGBTQ+ authors. Elton John's autobiography Me certainly fits the bill. John has been out and proud for the majority of his decades-long career. The film Rocketman showcased his life story albeit with a tendency to lean more toward the side of fantasy than reality. Taron Egerton, who played John in the film, narrated the audiobook version that I listened to. Me finds the famed singer at his most candid, reflecting on his remarkable life, career, and the things to come.Born Reginald Dwight, Elton John started from very humble beginnings. He was a quiet and shy child who easily faded into the background, a far cry from the flamboyant superstar he would one day become. He took to the piano at a young age, naturally picking out tunes by ear. Eventually, his family allowed him to begin lessons, and he proved to be a natural. He jokingly blames his short, stubby fingers for being the reason he couldn't have a career as a classical musician, but his own stint at London's Royal Academy of Music would beg to differ. John's musical passions were with the up and coming rock and roll music that he could hear on the streets. He joined bands and found moderate success playing and touring. It wasn't until a rejection from a music label that he found his big break. As part of the rejection, the music executive gifted John an envelope of lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. This fateful act would inspire the fruitful collaboration that would soon skyrocket Elton John to superstardom.
Once Elton John comes into his place of fame and fortune, the story gets really wild. He holds no bars in describing the years of literal sex, drugs, and rock and roll. John candidly describes his struggle with addiction and the impact it had on his personal and professional life. He reminisces about his drug-fueled tantrums and benders that left him near death on multiple occasions. John also reflects on the struggle of coming to terms with his homosexuality, a battle that even saw him in an unhappy marriage to a woman for some time. Ultimately, dealing with his drug addiction and accepting his sexuality were the keys to bringing Elton John to the place he is today, happily married, and a father to two young children. In the end, this book, he writes, is meant to be a record for those kids, a kind of definitive resource to cut through all the gossip and celebrity surrounding his life.
I've always had a fondness for Elton John and his music. I've played piano for most of my life and spent many nights playing his tunes at piano bars during my college years. Yes, John emits a larger than life persona and has his fair share of demons, but he has always been willing to own up to them. As a result, Me is a pretty thorough and forthright autobiography. It reads more like stories shared between old friends at a party than a traditional memoir. This conversational style gives the book a lightness that makes for easy reading, especially when John touches on the darker points in his life. At the heart of this life story is the journey of a man facing his demons and rockstar sense of entitlement. In the end, he has transformed his life into one of giving back and really trying to make a difference in the world. John's early and continued support of AIDS research and treatment, both through raising awareness and financial support, has been a large part of his latest act. As he ends his touring career (yes, he says this is really the end) and settles into being a more hands-on father, I look forward to seeing where his life will take him next.
For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2019, 41)
I love Elton John's music...and he's led such a fascinating life. I really want to read this one. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a pretty great autobiography!
DeleteI love his music, this sounds deightful and fasinating.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a fan of his music, but this book really helped me appreciate him as a person too!
DeleteOh my stars, I was that horrid child who played Crocodile Rock over and over and over on a family road trip.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with reading memoirs b/c there is always that little voice in my head that wonders if its the whole story, but this sounds like Elton John really opens up to his readers and shows who he was, is, and wants to be. I want to read more memoirs so I'm adding it to my list.
I was shocked at how candid he is in this one. Now I'm going to have Crocodile Rock in my head for the rest of the day lol!
DeleteI watched the movie and I never knew he had led such a wild life
ReplyDeleteThe first part of his life, in particular, was pretty crazy!
DeleteI've always liked Elton John.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI grew up on Elton John's music, and was well aware of his wild life back then, but I am shocked to hear her was a shy child. Wow! He has had an incredible career.
ReplyDeleteHe certainly has! I was astounded to see how different his actual personality is from his stage persona.
DeleteHe is amazing, isn't he -- and you're right, this sounds incredibly forthright and I think that's what makes it all the more attractive read to me. I adore that about him!
ReplyDeleteMe too. He isn't afraid to look back critically on his actions.
DeleteI LOVE Elton John. I've seen his movie in the cinema a while ago and I'd love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteBohemian Rapsody the movie is also something I'd highly recommend!
Bohemian Rhapsody was a good one too!
DeleteI really enjoy his music. It's good he got a memoir out so his children got an honest, "from the horse's mouth" account of their father's life. I think being famous would be very difficult and compound any struggles or weakness a person has. I would never want to be famous.
ReplyDeleteI also loved Bohemian Rhapsody (seeing your comment above). Sooo good. Queen's music was fantastic and I forgot about it until seeing the movie. My daughter and her husband added a bunch of their songs on the playlist and we listened to them over and over for a while whenever we got together for dinners last summer.
I don't envy him being in the public eye at all. It is so fun to have music connected to those special family memories!
DeleteI do love Elton's music, and I think it's fantastic that he's so open in his memoir! You don't get that much with celebrity books.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
It was so refreshing to see him be as frank as he is.
DeleteHow cool that you play piano. I've loved his music for years. I rushed out and bought this when it was released but haven't read it yet. You've made me really excited for it!
ReplyDeleteI guess I never really think about it, but it is cool that I play piano! If you already have this one then you must read it asap!
DeleteThis sounds like a great read. I love that it reads in a conversational style, more like stories shared between old friends at a party than a traditional memoir.
ReplyDeleteThe style really made it an easy and fun read.
DeleteI saw you talking about this one - on IG maybe? - and meant to look it up at the library but forgot lol So thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThe movie is on Prime and I plan to watch that too.
Karen @ For What' It's Worth
I did post it to my insta too! The movie only deals with the earlier part of his career, but it is a fun companion to the book.
Delete