Music is a wonderful thing. Let me share my journey with Elton John as I get to know him through his book Me. Getting into mood here with the first song Let The Heartaches Begin sung John Baldry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6-v_x1XGCI and Winifred Atwell playing piano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaM_F4CU7QI
Everything is always connected to a place. Pinner in UK is the place of connection here. Pinner Hill Road 55 was the place where the Dwight family – including young Reginald – lived in the home of his mother’s mother. This is where nan’s piano was too and this is where the ordered record collection started to form: https://www.google.com/search?q=55+pinnerhill+road&rlz=1C1GCEA_enFI771FI771&oq=55+pinnerhill+road&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.6725j1j7&sourceid=chro
Elton John had drive and ambition from early on. He had time and he put effort in. He had luck too in meeting Bernie Taupin. And he had talent! But yet there were refusals and waiting to experience before fame. Elton John could only dream of famous people singing his songs or his songs living on to be sung by stars like Lady Gaga who had not even been born yet. But for now, let’s go back to 1971 and Elton John singing Your Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlPlfCy1urI
Elton John describes his age and times very thoroughly. At times too much so. This openness could, however, be deceptive. Is there perhaps something that is then hidden behind all these revelations? For example, some court battle scenes are very quickly rushed past. But as this is an autobiography, Elton John decides what is talked about and also how it is done. The cover will give some clues as to what is coming. Come to think of it, the title is very telling too. There is unavoidably the thought, that how much of all this Me is what is actually Reginald Dwight and how much is what he has made/portrayed of himself as Elton John.
Elton John has lived the so called high life. Sex, purchaces, food, drugs and parties were common. Jetsetting to gigs around the globe in between. Writing more songs too. Yet Elton has lost friends of all ages and there are songs connected with death. Candle In The Wind being the one that most people know and connect with Princess Diana, not always Norma Jean Marilyn Monroe. Skyline Pigeon is one of the earlier songs that Elton John then later sung in the funeral of 18-year old Ryan White (an early victim to AIDS because of blood-transfusion): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPzlGklVNb0
I need help. Elton John had to admit this and say goodbye to White Lady. 1990 Elton had to face that he had isolated himself from the society too. An American hospital and about 1400 meetings over three years were helpful, as were facing up to one’s own responsibility and taking charge of one’s own everyday needs. Looking after a dog and starting a photograph collection helped too.
Photographs connected Elton John with David Furnach, a 31-year Canadian living in London area in 1994. Music remained more than a passion, but family values started to appear including children later. I am glad that Elton John has found happiness there. I give Me 4⭐. Me is an inside look into the celebrity scenes and a good description of the past decades from his perspective. Elton John certainly has worked to make something of himself, and even this book is probably part of the Elton John push. I can understand that he wishes to leave something of himself, his own story to his fans, others and his children. In my journey here with Me I also had a good time – including watching Billy Elliot and paying attention to the music.
Taron Egerton reads the book Me on audible and he puts effort into identifyig with what he reads. It is so emotional that one needs to have breaks. Taron Egerton is very much into Elton these days, as he also stars in the new S 40 million Rocketman movie released this year.
Can You Feel The love Tonight from The Lion King – such a favorite…
graphicgrub 