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Me: Elton John Official Autobiography Kindle Edition
INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
In his first and only official autobiography, music icon Elton John reveals the truth about his extraordinary life, from his rollercoaster lifestyle as shown in the film Rocketman, to becoming a living legend.
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.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHenry Holt and Co.
- Publication dateOctober 15, 2019
- File size48105 KB
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“[Me] pushes the envelope. . . . The movie Rocketman gave a reasonably accurate overview of the Elton John story―but it barely scratched the surface of what’s in this memoir. The lurid parts will get all the headlines. But [it is really about] the man’s hard-won self-knowledge.”
―The New York Times
"Thought you got all of Elton John's story in the rollicking biopic, Rocketman? Well, consider that merely a tasty appetizer ahead of this ultra-rich and heavy dinner."
―NBC News
“Magnificent. . . . While Me is as colorful as you’d expect from an artist famous for his outlandish stage costumes and outsize temper tantrums, it is also so much more. . . . Fans who think seeing Rocketman was enough and can ‘eventually’ read his memoir, we can tell you: do not wait a long, long time. Me is a riveting, laugh-til-you-cry, heartfelt page-turner.”
―Entertainment Weekly
“[Elton] proves himself an engrossing, fluid and alarmingly forthcoming writer. . . Like [his] songs, Me overflows with whimsical characters, twisted humor, winking self-aggrandizement and stark pathos. . . . An absorbing and unfettered joy.”
―TIME
“By turn hilarious, touching, and surprising. . . . In between the countless anecdotes with stars from across the decades, John’s enthusiasm for music continues to shine through. . . . It's wonderful to read [and] compelling evidence that Elton John was born to be [a star].”
―The Independent
“Outrageously enjoyable. . . . [Elton] is utterly, astonishingly, hilariously self-lacerating. . . . His clear-eyed honesty and his ear for the comic line make him a deeply appealing memoirist.”
―The Guardian
“Excellent. . . . [Me] mines a rich seam of salacious and self-deprecating anecdote, heady scandal, personal struggle, and ultimate redemption, all delivered with a total lack of self-consciousness.”
―The Wall Street Journal
“A uniquely revealing pop star autobiography. . . . Me is essential reading for anyone who wants to know the difficult road that [Elton has] walked.”
―Rolling Stone
About the Author
Elton John’s career achievements to date are unsurpassed. One of the top-selling solo artist of all time, in August 2018 he was named the most successful male solo artist in the Billboard Hot 100 chart history. Elton’s many honours include two Oscars, six Grammys, thirteen Ivor Novellos and a BRIT Award.
When not recording or touring, Elton devotes his time to a number of charities, including his own Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $450 million in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2019 he was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian award, and in Britain was made a Companion of Honour in recognition of his services to music and charity. He is married to David Furnish, and they have two sons.
Sir Elton John’s career achievements to date are unsurpassed. One of the top-selling solo artist of all time, in August 2018 he was named the most successful male solo artist in the Billboard Hot 100 chart history. Elton’s many honours include two Oscars, six Grammys, thirteen Ivor Novellos and a BRIT Award.
When not recording or touring, Elton devotes his time to a number of charities, including his own Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $450 million in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2019 he was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian award, and in Britain was made a Companion of Honour in recognition of his services to music and charity. He is married to David Furnish, and they have two sons.
Product details
- ASIN : B07PK1ZF4K
- Publisher : Henry Holt and Co. (October 15, 2019)
- Publication date : October 15, 2019
- Language : English
- File size : 48105 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 400 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #109,717 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #15 in Popular Music (Kindle Store)
- #40 in Pop Artist Biographies
- #84 in Popular Music (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Sir Elton John, CBE, is a multi-award winning solo artist who has achieved 38 gold and 31 platinum or multi-platinum albums, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, and holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, 'Candle in the Wind 1997'. In August 2018 Elton was named the most successful male solo artist in the Billboard Hot 100 chart history, having logged 67 entries, including nine Number 1s and 27 Top 10s. Elton launched his first tour in 1970 and since then has performed over 4,000 times in more than 80 countries. When not recording or touring, Elton devotes his time to a number of charities, including his own Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $450 million and funded programmes across four continents in the twenty-four years it has existed. He is married to David Furnish, and they have two sons.
'Me' is his first and only official autobiography.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book engaging and entertaining. They appreciate the author's honesty and openness about his life. The story is described as fascinating and inspiring, with stories about famous people and events. Readers learn a lot about Elton John through the autobiography in his own words. They appreciate his talent and consider him one of the greatest artists of our time. The details are enjoyable but not too much that you get bogged down.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book's readability and content. They find it interesting, entertaining, and authentic. The print is small, but the content is worth reading. Readers appreciate the history and original content in the book.
"...Oakland with Billy Joel, in their dueling pianos concert.... absolutely incredible, cementing me as a forever fan!!!!!" Read more
"...was perhaps my favorite audiobook of the year because some Elton stories are hilarious and they need to be told right...." Read more
"...This was marvelous. What an unapologetic, authentic, entertaining autobiography...." Read more
"...That was too much. I saw him live in the early 90s and it was a good show but didn't blow me away...." Read more
Customers appreciate the author's honesty. They find the book unapologetic and authentic, with an engaging narrative. Readers appreciate the author's candor in describing his life, past, and insecurities. The book reads like a conversation, with the unvarnished truth being told at times.
"...of insecurities, his many years of substance abuse, told in it's unflattering truthfulness...." Read more
"...This was marvelous. What an unapologetic, authentic, entertaining autobiography...." Read more
"...I immediately went home and downloaded ME. This autobiography is real. I felt his honesty come right off the page...." Read more
"...Elton John's biography brought to my mind other adjectives... human, honest and matter of fact...." Read more
Customers find the story engaging and inspiring, with a personal reflection on the artist's life journey. They appreciate the linear narrative and mention that it's a wild ride from start to finish.
"...He's lead an incredible life and lived through many lows, to share it all with his millions of fans! His accomplishments are truly an inspiration!!..." Read more
"...Elton has a way of being nostalgic, candid, yet also respectful with his evolution...." Read more
"...This was marvelous. What an unapologetic, authentic, entertaining autobiography...." Read more
"...sincerity in befriending children with AIDS, his determination to stand up to false journalism, his honesty, and his ability to laugh at..." Read more
Customers enjoy the candid and unfiltered autobiography. They find it inspiring and easy to read, with Elton's story told in his own words. Readers appreciate that he is transparent and openly discusses his life. The book fills in gaps with details they had not heard about, including relationships with artists and fans.
"This book is Elton John unfiltered and so wonderful!..." Read more
"This book is about the evolution of Elton John...." Read more
"...I’ve played with my childhood heroes and some of the greatest artists in the history of music; I’ve played with people who were so hopeless they had..." Read more
"...While painstakingly honest, the book reveals a more well-rounded Elton John and not just the dark and unhappy side of him...." Read more
Customers appreciate Elton's talent and achievements. They describe him as an extraordinary man, a true superstar, and a classy showman. The book details his life as an emerging musician and performer, as well as his struggles, challenges, and accomplishments.
"...this man's life, his challenges, his losses, his successes and his immense talent...." Read more
"...not be disappointed, but feel like you've read the story of an incredibly gifted and talented person who has, like many people, had to struggle with..." Read more
"...He is brutally honest in describing the good times, his euphoric rise to stardom, his insecurities, his depression, the horrors of drug abuse, the..." Read more
"...book as it tells us about Elton John's life and his struggles and accomplishments." Read more
Customers appreciate the candid and intimate autobiography of a well-known music icon. They find it honest and open about his life, including both public and private aspects. The details are enjoyable without being too much. Readers feel the book provides more clarity than the movie and is a must for any Elton John fan.
"...Elton has a way of being nostalgic, candid, yet also respectful with his evolution...." Read more
"...The details are there and enjoyable but not so much that you get bogged down reading one year of his life at a time...." Read more
"...every single story, as Elton stated he loves... This was beautiful, candid, from Elton. I learned things I didn’t know...." Read more
"...He even shares some personal and embarrassing moments...." Read more
Customers find the book heartfelt, authentic, and honest. They describe it as heartwarming, heartbreaking, and humorous. The book is described as personal, funny, sad, shocking, and much like Elton John's life.
"...sensitive soul (duck suit not withstanding), a caring nature and a giving heart. I am very glad that I met this Elton John...." Read more
"...Very impressive! So, if you want an emotionally authentic, no-holds-barred, entertaining, self-effacing and warmly funny journey into the mind,..." Read more
"...It was simultaneously honest and emotionally raw, while also being uplifting, encouraging and absolutely hilarious!..." Read more
"...dreams and has two adorable little boys to which he is a kind and gentle parent...." Read more
Customers enjoy the wonderful music and timeless songs created by Elton John. They appreciate his unique musical talent and great songs. Readers describe him as one of the greatest of rock 'n roll. The memoir is considered one of their favorite reads about musicians.
"...Because they filled a difficult adolescence with the most wonderful music, and a sense of comfort...." Read more
"Read it in 3 days. A lot of history about EJ and many artists, musicians, and other well-known people who are alive and have passed on...." Read more
"...Elton has been blessed with a unique genuine musical talent that has turned Bernie's lyrics into a joy for many people...." Read more
"...My life has been greatly enriched by this man, one of the great musical geniuses of our time – and so much more. Thank you, Elton john." Read more
Reviews with images
deep self-knowledge brings Elton joy and optimism.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2024This book is Elton John unfiltered and so wonderful! From his early life, full of insecurities, his many years of substance abuse, told in it's unflattering truthfulness. His struggles and rise to stardom, getting sober and married and his highest achievement of becoming a dad and everything in between, including his promotion and active involvement in many AIDS foundations. He's lead an incredible life and lived through many lows, to share it all with his millions of fans! His accomplishments are truly an inspiration!! I saw him play in 2010 in Oakland with Billy Joel, in their dueling pianos concert.... absolutely incredible, cementing me as a forever fan!!!!!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2019This book is about the evolution of Elton John. You may like periods of his work, you may hate periods of his work, but what is absolutely fascinating about him is his ability to evolve and change. In fact, unlike a lot of artists, Elton himself still keeps up with current music and what's popular in the charts, just like he did when he was a kid, with intense fascination and appreciation for the ongoing evolution of music.
Elton was before my time; I've only discovered his music in the past year. I find that I tend to listen to an Elton John song on two levels. I listen to Bernie's lyrics and I listen to Elton's music. Sometimes Elton is strong and Bernie is weak, sometimes the reverse. Sometimes they are both strong or both weak. Above all, though, there's a brotherhood and a love of the craft of music underneath it all and this is reflected in the book. It's hard not to respect them both for taking risks and embracing evolutionary change.
Elton has a way of being nostalgic, candid, yet also respectful with his evolution. He has a very fresh approach to fleshing out characters we know from Rocketman into three-dimensional, real people. The movie was the Hollywood version of his life with many chance coincidences, people omitted, and things "cleaned up" to make a better movie. In reality, Elton worked very hard for his successes and the people in his life were not simple, cartoonish two-dimensional people. Success is very messy and there is always give and take. John Reid, the main antagonist of Rocketman, is portrayed in a much more positive light, for example.
The audiobook was perhaps my favorite audiobook of the year because some Elton stories are hilarious and they need to be told right. I found myself laughing loudly and nodding along with Taron Egerton, who played Elton in Rocketman, as he gives a very dynamic performance. Listening to the audiobook is very much like sitting with "Elton" at the recovery meeting from Rocketman. Taron doesn't just read the text with a flat voice, like a lot of audiobooks. He reads it with the enthusiasm and passion that make it seem like he was there, really creating a wonderful experience as a listener.
Elton, Taron, and team -- thanks for putting this out, you really did a great job with it.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020I originally rated this book four stars and a month or so later, decided it was without a doubt a five star read. I kept recommending it and thinking about it and loving on Elton’s infectious and unique personality. I watched the movie "Rocketman" and kept adding details where I thought they glossed over and narrated to my husband as we watched (haha sorry husband!) and it made me realize how much his book stuck with me. Then we saw his concert which was phenomenal and now I just can’t get enough Elton in my life which tells me this book deserves ALL THE STARS!!!!
Read the official autobiography: ✅
Watch ‘Rocketman’: ✅
See Elton John LIVE on his official farewell tour!: ✅
“When you reminisce about the good old days, you naturally see it all through rose-tinted spectacles. In my case in particular, I think that’s forgivable, because I probably was literally wearing rose-tinted spectacles at the time, with flashing lights and ostrich feathers attached to them. But if you end up convincing yourself that everything in the past was better than it is now, you might as well give up writing music and retire.”
This was marvelous. What an unapologetic, authentic, entertaining autobiography. I literally laughed out loud on more than a few occasions and even shed a few tears.
I only wish I was more familiar with artists from the 1960s and 1970s so I could have had more context. I think for anyone who grew up listening to Elton and his peers, and even if you didn’t, this book will blow you away.
Here’s hoping our show isn’t a “very occasional” one ☺️
“I’ve played with my childhood heroes and some of the greatest artists in the history of music; I’ve played with people who were so hopeless they had no business being onstage and I’ve played with a group of male strippers dressed as Cub Scouts. I’ve done gigs dressed as a woman, a cat, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, a Ruritanian general, a musketeer, a pantomime dame and, very occasionally, I’ve played gigs dressed like a normal human being.
Top reviews from other countries
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Maximiliano SánchezReviewed in Mexico on July 11, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente compra.
Excelente libro. Llegó antes de lo esperado y en perfecto estado.
Maximiliano Sánchez
Reviewed in Mexico on July 11, 2022
Images in this review - IllaTReviewed in Italy on October 4, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
I love Elton, and I loved to read his ownwords. Witty and lovely!
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Jose Benito Barragan GarridoReviewed in Spain on May 23, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Blue jean baby LA lady....
Sir Elton John ha debido de rodearse de un excelente grupo de asesores literarios (also known as"ghostwriters") porque le ha salido un libro de memorias, ME, excelente. Muy ameno y tirando a divertido, las memorias están escritas en un English de lectura fácil y exento de complejidad. Amazon me ha enviado la versión USA/Tapa dura con impresión nítida y tamaño de letra idóneo. Encantado con la compra y el rápido envío.
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Paulo Sergio SakumotoReviewed in Brazil on March 8, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Uma auto-biografia faz diferença.
Uma auto-biografia faz muita diferença. É fantástico saber em detalhes como tudo aconteceu. A parceria de sucesso com Bernie Taupin e a escalada rumo ao sucesso e todos os percalços.
Atrás do gênio musical, percebe-se um ser humano sensível, bem humorado, simpático, daqueles que podemos convidar pra tomar chá em casa sempre.
Uma dica legal é a cada citação de um canção ou álbum, colocar pra tocar durante a leitura. Faz todo sentido imaginar as letras e o contexto em que elas foram feitas e vividas.
Pra quem é fã, um livro muito interessante!
Ps: li o original em inglês, mas creio que a versão em português deva estar ok!
- Vincent WalshReviewed in Canada on December 16, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, funny-sad and heartbreaking.
I loved this book, for the honesty-the laugh out loud humour, and the heartbreak.
It was very close to my heart in several ways; Elton almost buying a flat near to me in the early seventies, to the concert at Wembley(which I loved by the way), Paul and Ringo a few feet from where my 17 year old ticket buying self sat.
I was expecting a droll account of excess and ego driven tantrums (there is quite a bit of both), spoiled behaviour (☺️)and name dropping(ditto)-but..... it sings, it rolls with the punches-and it makes you glad to have been a part of it all.
My relationship with my mother is echoed here, as is my dalliance with drugs and alcohol-which haunt and taunt to this day.
There is a LOT to be enjoyed in this book, I thought that it was a great companion piece to Rod Stewart’s excellent autobiography from a while back.
In fact, I think I’ll let a bit of time go by and reread them together back to back-that sounds like fun.
This book will either affect you with empathy and/or sympathy, or leave you looking for a red hat and a gun.
Your choice, your life-your song.