Book review – Elton John’s autobiography is a flamboyantly funny read

The last time I gave a book five stars was for Alice Walker’s literary masterpiece The Color Purple, which unsurprisingly also went on to become a cinematic masterpiece.

I am by no means a world-renowned book critic but I have read enough to know a great book when I read one and Elton John’s Me – his official autobiography – is right up there with the best of them.

Written by John, together with writer and respected music critic Alexis Petridis, Me is a no-holds-barred account of the legendary musician’s life and work.

Sir Elton John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight) lives a life of opulence most of us only dream of. However, his accumulation of fame, worldwide respect as a musician and human rights activism was as treacherous as the yellow brick road in The Wizard of Oz.

John Elton in full regalia on tour in 1974. Picture: Sam Emerson

Were it not for his workhorse determination and perseverance (both in his personal life and the music industry), he might easily have faded away like scores of his peers during that period – from drugs, sex or the blinding pressures of fame.

And John is the first to admit he partook of the sex and drug parties that were de rigueur in the 1970s. Not shying away from his life’s journey and pitfalls, John does not mince words when describing the unimaginable highs and equally unimaginable lows of this journey.

That said, Me is filled with humour and lays testament to the fact that John’s talent for storytelling is as outstanding as his knack for creating memorable songs and throwing the best dinner parties in the world.

Known for his great sense of humour, he’s not afraid of making fun of himself or acknowledging when he acted horribly – like the time he and John Lennon left Andy Warhol standing outside their hotel room because, as Lennon pointed out: “Do you want him coming in here taking photos when you’ve got icicles of coke hanging out of your nose?”

Elton John performs during his charity concert at the Euro 2012 football championships fanzone. Picture: Sergei Supinsky / AFP

And yet, Me is so much more than a book by another great musician recounting their dabblings in sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll. It is also a story about the transformative power of music, social change over the last 60 years and redemption.

From the early rejection of his work with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin and spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar, to disco-dancing with the queen of England and creating an Aids Foundation that supports 55 countries, there’s no escaping the sheer resilience of Sir Elton John.

His book is a joyously funny, honest and moving account of one of the world’s most irrepressible and flamboyant musical geniuses, and will appeal to fans and detractors alike.

Info

Book: Me: Elton John
Author: Elton John and Alexis Petridis
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 9781509853311
Price: R385

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