Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Griffin (2020), Edition: Reprint, 416 pages
Description
"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 song-writing 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 Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury, and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation to conquering Broadway with Aida, The Lion King, and Billy Elliot the Musical. 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"--Amazon.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member msf59
In the early 70s, probably on a summer day, I was hanging out with my cousin, who is 2 years older and he put an album called Honky Chateau on his turntable. This was my introduction to Elton John and it blew me away. I don't think I had ever heard anything quite like it. It was so fresh and
With this wonderful and engaging memoir, it brought all those fond memories back. It begins with his childhood and his difficult parents, (both are real stinkers, to put it mildly) but it did make him the artist that he became. His fateful meet up with his song-writing partner, Bernie Taupin, is one the great “happy” accidents in rock n' roll history. He shares incredible anecdotes about the rock hierarchy, of those times, becoming close friends with John Lennon and Freddy Mercury. Of course, his intense drug addiction and recovery are also examined, along with his sexuality and his involvement with the AIDs crisis. In the later chapters he talks about his marriage and his children, all beautifully rendered, like the rest of the book, in an easy narrative style filled with humor, honesty and warmth. I think this one will go down as one of the best rock memoirs...period.
**This was awesome on audiobook, narrated by the actor who played John in the biopic "Rocketman".
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inventive, at least to my young ears. I followed John faithfully, through the next several years, as he piled on the hits and became one of the biggest rock stars on earth.With this wonderful and engaging memoir, it brought all those fond memories back. It begins with his childhood and his difficult parents, (both are real stinkers, to put it mildly) but it did make him the artist that he became. His fateful meet up with his song-writing partner, Bernie Taupin, is one the great “happy” accidents in rock n' roll history. He shares incredible anecdotes about the rock hierarchy, of those times, becoming close friends with John Lennon and Freddy Mercury. Of course, his intense drug addiction and recovery are also examined, along with his sexuality and his involvement with the AIDs crisis. In the later chapters he talks about his marriage and his children, all beautifully rendered, like the rest of the book, in an easy narrative style filled with humor, honesty and warmth. I think this one will go down as one of the best rock memoirs...period.
**This was awesome on audiobook, narrated by the actor who played John in the biopic "Rocketman".
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LibraryThing member Carmenere
I'm not saying this because I've been a fan of Elton John for at least 45 years but as a reader who enjoys an honest, open and heartfelt memoir.
This book is certainly the best I've read in a long time. Even if you've seen the movie Rocketman, you've only seen half of the story. Elton reveals much
His life and career is not all fun and feathers. Multiple addictions created decades of decadence, debauchery and overindulgence. Death of friends and acquaintances due to drugs, alcohol and AIDS could have made a victim of Elton John too. It is amazing he survived to tell his story.
Yet, the beauty of this book can be found in his odyssey from high living self-centeredness to breaking down and discovering self love, self care, and real, lasting love. A catharsis which is downright inspirational.
Me is also a story of the music industry as it was in the 70's & 80's, its hedonistic lifestyle and of a serendipitous partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin that has survived through the years and continues to this day.
Absolutely recommend this book with the highest regards.
This book is certainly the best I've read in a long time. Even if you've seen the movie Rocketman, you've only seen half of the story. Elton reveals much
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more in his book. His life and career is not all fun and feathers. Multiple addictions created decades of decadence, debauchery and overindulgence. Death of friends and acquaintances due to drugs, alcohol and AIDS could have made a victim of Elton John too. It is amazing he survived to tell his story.
Yet, the beauty of this book can be found in his odyssey from high living self-centeredness to breaking down and discovering self love, self care, and real, lasting love. A catharsis which is downright inspirational.
Me is also a story of the music industry as it was in the 70's & 80's, its hedonistic lifestyle and of a serendipitous partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin that has survived through the years and continues to this day.
Absolutely recommend this book with the highest regards.
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LibraryThing member FormerEnglishTeacher
This book holds the record for the most dropped names for a memoir. Sir Elton loves to list the people he parties with, dines with, argues with. And it’s an eclectic bunch to be sure. The drug use in his life is epic, and as he lists his maladies at the end of the book (cancer, heart trouble,
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life-threatening diseases along the way), it’s a minor miracle that he is approaching his mid 70s and is still kicking. One endearing part of the book is the fact that no one pokes more fun at Elton John than Elton John, and that’s refreshing. I haven’t seen the biopic “Rocketman,” but I can’t imagine that it is any better than this autobiography. Although not for the faint of heart, you’ll learn an awful lot about the last five decades of rock and roll along with finding out what it’s like to live inside the entertainment world of the same time period. Well worth the read. Show Less
LibraryThing member TooBusyReading
This Elton John autobiography is the best one I've read (or actually, heard) since I read Willie Nelson's It's a Long Story: My Life. I wasn't sure I'd love this book after Elton referred to a “housewives' choice ballad.” I am, among many other things, a housewife, and I like some ballads. Oh
Elton is remarkably candid about himself and his life. And he has an equally remarkable sense of self-awareness, a hard earned attribute. He is incredibly funny, especially when he is poking fun at himself. He quotes Roger Ebert about his first sound track, calling it “a sickening piece of corrupt slop” but not all the critics enjoyed it as much as that.
Elton does a lot of name-dropping but it doesn't come across as “look at me – see who I know!” Of course, if you are Elton John, you are usually the name-dropee, not the name-dropper. I enjoyed hearing about the people in his life, has lifelong friendships, the people who came and went and sometimes back into his life. I enjoyed hearing how his life has changed, how he has matured, what kind of person he is now.
For the most part, Elton did not read the book but the narrator. Taron Egerton, made you forget that. Altogether, this is a very funny, very heartfelt, and thoroughly enjoyable book.
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well, once I got past that, I loved this book. Elton John, and I'm going to take the liberty of calling him Elton, had a rough childhood. And he grew up knowing that having a bad temper was a natural way of life. He wasn't always a nice person, but then, who of us is ALWAYS a nice person?Elton is remarkably candid about himself and his life. And he has an equally remarkable sense of self-awareness, a hard earned attribute. He is incredibly funny, especially when he is poking fun at himself. He quotes Roger Ebert about his first sound track, calling it “a sickening piece of corrupt slop” but not all the critics enjoyed it as much as that.
Elton does a lot of name-dropping but it doesn't come across as “look at me – see who I know!” Of course, if you are Elton John, you are usually the name-dropee, not the name-dropper. I enjoyed hearing about the people in his life, has lifelong friendships, the people who came and went and sometimes back into his life. I enjoyed hearing how his life has changed, how he has matured, what kind of person he is now.
For the most part, Elton did not read the book but the narrator. Taron Egerton, made you forget that. Altogether, this is a very funny, very heartfelt, and thoroughly enjoyable book.
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LibraryThing member Biggaz
Candid and from the heart. Ther's no sugar coating here. Very enjoyable.
LibraryThing member Jthierer
This is exactly what a celebrity memoir should be. It's honest without sharing things that other people may want to keep private (see: how he handles his brief marriage to a woman), its funny without glossing over really bad behavior, and you understand how the past has informed the man he is
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today. Even if you aren't a huge Elton John fan I would still recommend this as an exploration of how fame can change a person for good and for bad. Show Less
LibraryThing member -Eva-
Elton John's own story about his life, from his childhood as Reginald Dwight to today's Elton John. I picked this up after watching Rocketman. I have enjoyed Elton John's music since I was little, but have never been a superfan, so I didn't know very much about his life and the movie made me
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interested in finding out how much of the movie was true and what happened after the movie ended. Turns out, a lot and a lot. :) I was very much surprised and pleased at his willingness to confess to some craziness and stupidity without making any excuses and was impressed with his journey, both on and off drugs. Of course, the fact that he is very funny helps enormously - I have a hard time not liking a person who makes me laugh, no matter what else their personality holds. I've recommended this book to many people, Elton John fans or no, and will continue to do so, it's just that good. Show Less
LibraryThing member cdyankeefan
What an incredible story of an incredible life. Told with self deprecating humor,Sir Elton doesn’t hold anything back when he looks back at his life. He recounts the highs and lows of his life with equal honesty. There are a lot of laugh out loud moments and a lot of amazed wonder at how he
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survived some of the escapades he found himself in. This is an absolute must read for any Elton John fan. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheEllieMo
A very candid autobiography; Elton knows his lifestyle is not “normal” but most people’s standards, he knows he has a dreadful temper that contributes to his “diva” reputation, and he sends himself up throughout the book - the anecdote about demanding an hotel stop the wind blowing
This is the autobiography of a man who has been to some dark places mentally and physically, but got the help he needed, and now is in a much better place. Having read Demi Moore’s memoir last year, there is a striking contrast between hers, where there was an overwhelming air of a huge amount being held back, and this open and candid book.
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because it was annoying him being just one example. This is the autobiography of a man who has been to some dark places mentally and physically, but got the help he needed, and now is in a much better place. Having read Demi Moore’s memoir last year, there is a striking contrast between hers, where there was an overwhelming air of a huge amount being held back, and this open and candid book.
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LibraryThing member CarltonC
A really enjoyable read, which as you would expect from Elton John, is frank and refreshing.
I didn't get into Elton John's music until the eighties (Too Low for Zero), but his string of seventies hits were always around as I was growing up, and I have explored the early albums since.
This
I didn't get into Elton John's music until the eighties (Too Low for Zero), but his string of seventies hits were always around as I was growing up, and I have explored the early albums since.
This
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autobiography is fascinating in filling in about Elton up to stardom, that was probably the most interesting part for me, but he has done so much of which I was aware at the time, but had forgotten. Show Less
LibraryThing member Charrlygirl
Funny, fearless and brutally honest- this is what you want in a rock bio.
LibraryThing member sbenne3
A great read about a wild life. I love reading people's stories and this one did not disappoint. it is candid, reads quickly, and gave me a new appreciation of his talent.
LibraryThing member indygo88
Elton John has lived the kind of life that could probably fill an autobiography three times as long as this one, but he's managed to write one that's just the right length while covering all the highlights of his life and career. Beginning with his younger years as an only child growing up in
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Pinner and progressing to present day, this seems to cover it all: his partnership with Bernie Taupin, his emerging sexuality and subsequent relationships, his rise to fame, the excessive drug use and ultimate rehabilitation, AIDS-related deaths and fundraising, deaths of famous celebrities that he was close to (John Lennon, Gianni Versace, Princess Diana, George Michael, etc.), his marriage, his children, his relationship with his parents, health scares, and above all, the music. There's lots and lots of name-dropping, but in this case, it's all relevant and interesting, as Elton has become one of the most famous musicians in the world and has earned the right. I found it refreshing to hear some not-so-flattering words about others in the business -- he's not afraid to be honest in his opinions. Elton has certainly lived a full life and has settled down in his older years, but he continues to be an icon in the music industry. Show Less
LibraryThing member midkid88
This was an amazing listen. I knew of him and had listened to his hits before, but I didn't know much about him. I have many actual laugh out loud moments which then brought the strange looks my way from my neighboring people. Totally recommend.
LibraryThing member hemlokgang
I was 17 when I saw Elton John perform in Chicago, opening with "Funeral For A Friend", wearing bright yellow feathers. I have always loved his music, loved watching him play the piano. I have seen him in concert three times total. And now I feel like I know him as a person. I listened to the audio
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version, read by Elton himself. What a lovely ability to make himself vulnerable, to poke fun at himself, and to share his strengths and foibles with the public. I could hardly put this down! He shares his ups and downs, his playfulness and his temper, his impulsive loves and his sorrows. I highly recommend listening to this book! Show Less
LibraryThing member norinrad10
This is a fun autobiography by an extremely interesting fellow. Its frank, bawdy, and unflinchingly entertaining. The best measure of a music book, in my estimation, is does it make you want to go back and listen to the records? "Me" most assuredly does, even those I've previously dismissed.
Do
Do
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yourself a favor. Pick this one up and savor it. Show Less
LibraryThing member lbswiener
Me Elton John clearly was written from the heart. It truly took a lot of guts to publish a book that goes so deeply into one's own life. Elton said at the end he did it for his sons. One laughs and cries along with Elton John. He recalls incidents like the first time that he and Bernie come to
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America and landed at LAX in Los Angeles. He talks about that he and Bernie thought that a Cadillac limo will be waiting for them. How excited they were. To their surprise their promoters decided to promote Elton as soon as he put a foot on American soil. It is a remarkable life that Reg has led. This book received five stars in this review. Excellent and highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member NCDonnas
So I'm not sure what to rate this. On one hand - I have loved Elton John for most of my adult life. I love his music, his over the top persona, and his many and substantial contributions to charity. This book made me laugh out loud many times. It was just as shocking and gossipy as I was hoping it
But.
There were a couple paragraphs in the book that made light of some actions that I don't think were even slightly amusing. In fact, it seemed predatory and it has affected how I feel about the book and about Elton John. I understand that he made some questionable choices in his drug and alcohol addled state, but the way this was presented was more like "look how clever I was" when in actuality he was using his money and power in a similar manipulative way as men like Harvey Weinstein and finding it amusing. Still finds it amusing. Or at least didn't acknowledge that it was rather awful of him.
"I did things on coke that I would never have had the courage to do or try if I hadn’t been. It takes all the inhibitions out of people. Even straight guys sometimes. You gave them a couple of lines and they’d do stuff they wouldn’t ordinarily do in a million years. Then regret it in the morning, I suppose – or occasionally come back for more."
"I was an observer, a voyeur. I’d kind of set up my perversion, have two or three guys doing things for me to watch. That was where my sexual pleasure came from, getting a bunch of people who wouldn’t normally have sex with each other, to have sex with each other. But I didn’t really participate. I just watched, took Polaroids, organized things."
So while I otherwise really enjoyed this book - I don't know what to do with that part of it. I'm surprised more people hasn't mentioned it in their reviews...
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would be with plenty of stories that included other celebrities. It was certainly wildly entertaining and fascinating.But.
There were a couple paragraphs in the book that made light of some actions that I don't think were even slightly amusing. In fact, it seemed predatory and it has affected how I feel about the book and about Elton John. I understand that he made some questionable choices in his drug and alcohol addled state, but the way this was presented was more like "look how clever I was" when in actuality he was using his money and power in a similar manipulative way as men like Harvey Weinstein and finding it amusing. Still finds it amusing. Or at least didn't acknowledge that it was rather awful of him.
"I was an observer, a voyeur. I’d kind of set up my perversion, have two or three guys doing things for me to watch. That was where my sexual pleasure came from, getting a bunch of people who wouldn’t normally have sex with each other, to have sex with each other. But I didn’t really participate. I just watched, took Polaroids, organized things."
So while I otherwise really enjoyed this book - I don't know what to do with that part of it. I'm surprised more people hasn't mentioned it in their reviews...
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LibraryThing member Steven1958
I read the book and listened to the audio at the same time. The book was outstanding, the audio exceptional. The audio read by Taron Egerton was well worth listening to. The story of Elton John does not hold back. He shares the good, the bad AND the ugly. You don't need to know, or like his music
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to appreciate the extraordinary life this man has led. Show Less
LibraryThing member KatherineGregg
I enjoyed reading Elton John's autobiography which is a great companion piece to the movie Rocketman. It was interesting to learn about his friendships with Rod Stewart and John Lennon, his road to sobriety, and his lifelong collaboration with and deep affection for lyricist Bernie Taupin.
LibraryThing member ftbooklover
Me: Elton John Official Autobiography tells the story of the remarkable life of Sir Elton John in his own words. He takes an incredibly candid look at not only his triumphs, of which there are many, but also his failures and the bad choices that he has made. The framework of this book traces his
This is a very well written book that reads like fiction because John's voice comes though so loud and clear, making the story flow easily. The pictures included in the book add visuals of the people who are mentioned throughout the story. Overall, this is a wonderful look into the life of a rock star, so good, in fact, that I didn't want it to end.
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very successful career, but sprinkled throughout, he also shares events that shaped him as a person. John's sarcastic sense of humor, at times, makes the book both funny and tragic, but it comes across as a very realistic reflection of his life and career. He talks about "what ifs" that might have changed his life, but in the end, he is at peace with the choices he has made because of the happiness he has found in his life.This is a very well written book that reads like fiction because John's voice comes though so loud and clear, making the story flow easily. The pictures included in the book add visuals of the people who are mentioned throughout the story. Overall, this is a wonderful look into the life of a rock star, so good, in fact, that I didn't want it to end.
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LibraryThing member yukon92
Listened to the audio book:
Sir Elton doesn't mince words... he tells it like it was. If you are easily offended by colorful language you might want to skip this book, otherwise it is a very personal look into the life of this great musician. Taron Egerton (Elton in "Rocket Man") was a perfect
Sir Elton doesn't mince words... he tells it like it was. If you are easily offended by colorful language you might want to skip this book, otherwise it is a very personal look into the life of this great musician. Taron Egerton (Elton in "Rocket Man") was a perfect
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choice to read this audio book! Show Less
LibraryThing member thanesh
Me by Sir Elton John was indeed a pure please to read and a good follow-up to the movie. I know of Elton and his music which I have listened to all my life and I did attend a concert of his many years ago but this book allowed me to really get to really know him in a manner like never before. He is
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frank about his story - Worts and all which I appreciate. It was great learning about his younger days and how his talent developed and the chance encounter with Bernie that has changed the world of music. This man really has lived life to the fullest and then some. Enjoyed him sharing some of his experiences and relationships with other stars such as Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, George Michael and Gianni Versace as well as his telling of how Candle in the Wind was played at Diana's funeral. Was great to hear about his family and how he is living a fulfilled and fabulous life. Show Less
LibraryThing member amberwitch
The autobiography by Elton John is an easy and enjoyable read. It has it all - sex, drugs and rock and roll - and a self deprecating humour that on several occasions made me laugh out loud.
Not being a great Elton fan, or particularly well acquainted with the British music scene of the period, the
At times the deluge of names and places and records that only a connoisseur of 60-70 rock and roll will recognize can be a bit overwhelming, but if you can let it roll off your back instead of haring down rabbit holes to research and map all the characters and their relations, the flow of the narrative will keep you moving through to more entertaining passages.
Elton (or his helper) has a bad habit of introducing characters in the flow, and then only later provide their background and relation to Elton. There is also a lot of foreshadowing which both contribute to an occasional sense of messiness and jumping around. On the other hand, the meta commenting Elton provides is very endearing and gives a sense of getting to know him on a deeper level.
Not being a great Elton fan, or particularly well acquainted with the British music scene of the period, the
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movie about Elton John, Rocket man, provided some context. The book is so well written I assume Elton had help, but the voice seems to be all his own, wry and funny, factual and to the point even when recounting the absurd.At times the deluge of names and places and records that only a connoisseur of 60-70 rock and roll will recognize can be a bit overwhelming, but if you can let it roll off your back instead of haring down rabbit holes to research and map all the characters and their relations, the flow of the narrative will keep you moving through to more entertaining passages.
Elton (or his helper) has a bad habit of introducing characters in the flow, and then only later provide their background and relation to Elton. There is also a lot of foreshadowing which both contribute to an occasional sense of messiness and jumping around. On the other hand, the meta commenting Elton provides is very endearing and gives a sense of getting to know him on a deeper level.
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LibraryThing member pandr65
I enjoyed reading this book and fully recommend it. It carries Elton John's personality, often with his dry sense of humor. It is interesting to see his perspective on popular culture events and people, and from a human viewpoint. The writing is conversational and flows. Generally, the book follows
— Rebecca
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his life in time order, with topics that sometimes overlap the timeline of other chapters. The opening felt confusing to me, so I did not like how the book started, but the rest was great. At first, it seemed like a barrage of naming names, dates, and so forth, and I was surprised by the detailed quotes of things other people said from early in his life. Then later in the book, when he mentioned his diaries, and the style in which they were written, that would account for a lot of his specific information, and he noted his writing style. Note: There's plenty of adult language, which is fitting for this book, and which may be a consideration for potential readers who are sensitive to such. Editorial Note: I noticed that for companies and organizations, he uses the plural of a verb instead of singular. This was new to me, and since this was done repeatedly, I took it as deliberate. I'm from the U.S., and maybe that's a British thing. — Rebecca
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Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Autobiography/Memoir — 2020)
BookTube Prize (Octofinalist — Nonfiction — 2020)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Non-Fiction — 2019)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019
Physical description
416 p.; 8.26 inches
ISBN
1250770289 / 9781250770288