Book Review: “Me” by Elton John

Very rarely do I ask a publisher for a review copy of a book, but when I heard about the release of the autobiography Me by Elton John, I knew I wanted to get an advanced copy! Unfortunately, the copy showed up too close to the release date for me to get it read and reviewed in time, so I set it aside until I could give it the time and attention it deserved.

And it didn’t disappoint…

This book is everything you would expect it to be. Flamboyant and over the top like the man himself! It’s a real page turner, with never a dull moment. And at just about 350 pages, you almost feel like there is so much he had to leave out in order to keep it down to a decent size.

But don’t get me wrong…Elton doesn’t hold back in the stories he does tell. In fact, there are a couple of TMI moments when you want to yell at the page and say, “I could have done without that little tidbit, El!” Still, he keeps it real and quite humorous. He admits his downfalls, excesses, addictions and flaws whether it be with people, drugs, or sex. He talks openly and honestly about his family, friends and foes on the way to stardom including Freddie Mercury, George Michael, Ringo, Rod Stewart, John Lennon, Billy Jean King, Gianni Versace and his tumultuous relationship with his own mother.

And for the Beatles fans, every Beatle gets a shout out at some point in his story and he even mentions May Pang and John’s Lost Weekend.

I know a lot of these rock star autobiographies are just a lot of hoo-ha, with so much of their lives glossed over and conveniently forgotten. There is also a tendency to want to make themselves appear to be like you and me, but I can honestly tell you that they are not like you and me and they are not approachable without being accosted by their bodyguards. But taking that all into consideration, Elton does do a great job of letting us all know what a prima donna he can/could be, his tantrums and his addiction to buying expensive luxuries that he doesn’t really need. And for that reason…

I rate this book, 4 out of 4 Beetles!