Why is the International public so intrigued by the life of a Rock Star? Well, I suppose, who would not be? In this case, enter Elton John. One of the most flamboyant and remarkable entertainers of the 20th century. However, like all the rest of us, he has a story; it is a fascinating one! So, sit back, grab a drink of your finest coffee or beer, and go for a fantastic ride on the pages of this memoir; you will not regret it. This is not, by any means, an ordinary autobiography; instead, it tells the reality of a bullied teenager who turned into a legendary entertainer, a poster child for the ugly and dispossessed, for the shy and uncoordinated, and lastly, for the people who know they have talent, exceeded against exaggerated observations by their peers with hard work beyond expectation and defied the principals of believing what others say about them. This work is often, at times, sad and brutal, but honest and inspiring. Elton John’s story is not an easy one, but it does procure a perspective of the man himself that will surprise most of his readers, especially outside the musical matrix.
It begins in his hometown of Pinner England, where his family life is anything but white- fenced. It is replete with the struggle for recognition, acceptance, and respect. None of these will arrive to his senses happily or quickly; it will be a decades long process. In the meantime, he begins his odyssey on musical composition and piano playing, which he excels on a surreal level. Eventually, he will meet his greatest equal: his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin; they will go on to be the greatest songwriting team since Lennon/McCartney. From there, his career is thrusted onto the international stage of stardom on a level no one, especially Elton himself, could perceive. As the books plot thickens into what his life is sculpted into, it descends into a perfectly tragic blend of flamboyance, privilege, wealth, madness, and addiction. As Elton’s fame increases, so does his appetites for sex, money, recognition, and prominence in a place really not created for such an astute and rare artist as himself; none of his achievements are delivered without consequence. But he does so without remonstrance or assistance. As the book deepens, the stories get better. If there was any person who was so respectively affiliated with the people of his time, it certainly is Elton John.
While he gives brief glimpses into his recording procedure with his albums and songwriting techniques that him and Mr. Taupin have formulated, his theatrical establishments with countless entertainers and artists are revealed to us readers. Through deep and carefully woven confessions, Elton John provides us with insurmountable detail of immensely famous names; he also accrues lavish and outlandish friendships with, what I consider to be, the most famous list of celebrities ever! Freddie Mercury, Gianni Versace, John Lennon, Andy Warhol, Princess Diana, Rod Stewart, David Bowie, the list is amazingly endless. The parties, the associations, the serious conversations; Elton John peels our brains to the seed; it is so intricately composed, you will find yourself reading about each famous person several times over! It is that good! The anecdotes and authentic confessions of each person is dazzling and captivating, leaving your curiosity to roam endlessly in thinking you wish he can tell you more. (And, probably, he can.) He gets deeply personal about some of his friendships; he gently regales about his time spent with John Lennon, how charismatic and demanding he was, while sharing the intense and sensitive nature that made him who he was; the awkwardness of Andy Warhol, to the impeccable, pristine personality of Lady Diana. The lavish and clever sarcasm of Freddie Mercury, to the soft and colorful spirit of David Bowie. It’s all here, in one complete book of so many influential and enormous figures in humanity of the past fifty years; the confessions and tales of these marvelous people will make an appreciative and not-soon-to-be-forgotten impression on the reader; these are the stories we have been waiting for! However, Elton John, the man, himself, tells us his complicated and sometimes tragic story. There is a bit of darkness woven into this compilation, but drizzled with fresh petrichor, thankfully. 1
Elton John spares no gory details about his battles with cocaine addiction, alcohol, prescription drugs, his near-death experiences with all of this is deeply vined into his stunning tale of his wonderfully crafted, albeit risky lifestyle from time to time. His journey though his earned privileges come at an enormous cost, both personally and professionally. He also confesses on his pages about his sexual identity and his combative battles to identify with exactly who he is as a person and entertainer; the results he produces are staggering, yet much appreciative to persons who can relate to many of the same triumphs and defeats and setbacks in their own lives. The struggles and pain and disappointment Elton John endures and overcomes is anything short but impressive; however, there is also an abundance of lessons we can take from him. That no matter what life has delivered to you, good or bad, you are ALWAYS in control of you you process and overcome any struggle you feel has been placed upon you; you are your greatest tower of strength. He proves that by the life has lives now. Clean, healthy, raising a family, and continuing to be an inspiration and one of the greatest entertainers the world has ever known. His use of the people and relationships put in his own life have built in him the person he now stands for. His public commitments and raising awareness of various causes is a candid indication of how massive his influence is and how dedicated he is to the preservation and spirit of human kindness and prosperity. Elton John is a living and breathing testament to anyone who is in possession of self-doubt and uncertain outcomes as a direct assault upon their personal or professional life. This book is about a man’s journey into the unknown, no guarantee made on the outcome, but it is more of a lesson on gaining trust and confidence in yourself, being a leader, being creative in the manner in which you SEE it, and also admitting that your road was not an easy one. This book is full of plentiful examples of mistakes, corrections, but in the end, endurance.
If you are an Elton John fan, I’m confident this book will become an indispensable part of your life and book collection, if you are not an Elton John fan, this memoir should still be a perquisite in your reading collection, just because of the so many people he forged relationships with and told us about. The stories of the celebrities in this work is insatiable and mesmerizing. Nothing is left to doubt; I believe the testimonies to be sincere and personal. There is something in this work for all. It is my hope it inspires someone to not fear making a name for oneself and standing alone when it is not an option. He did.
© 2024, Mark Grago. All rights reserved.