A Book A Week

"When you reminisce about the good ole' days, you naturally see it through rose-tinted spectacles. In my case in particular I think it's forgivable because I was probably literally wearing rose-tinted spectacles at the time."

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)