THE LIFE AND TIMES OF NICK CROWSON

Me Elton John (autobiography)

Book Review, July 2020

This book is written within the structure of a prologue, epilogue, sixteen chapters an index and three sections of black and white and colour photographs. There are no chapter headings or sections to indicate particular parts of the authors' life, which would interest the specific reader. That said, the information provided is maintained in general chronological order.

Elton John aka Reg Dwight was born into a strict, argumentative, nay quarrelsome family environment, whose parents were always , apparently, on the edge of a row - for which the young boy and adolescent seemed to be presented as the cause. Throughout the course of the book, he blames or attributes his own short temper as a strong family trait. Though his father leaves the scene to be replaced by a more amenable step-dad, his mother is a cause for disagreement, squabbles and frustration throughout his life - for which in certain parts they did not contact each other at all.

He does, however, form several strong relationships during his life and career.

We learn little about school life and qualifications and also his regular Saturday attendances at The Royal Academy Of Music, where he enjoyed performing in the choir and playing some of the more rhythmic classical music. His musical education, obvious skill and aptitudes are similarly not addressed. I would have liked to hear more about his inspirations, challenges and development. That is perhaps not advanced out of modesty. We do get a genuine account of his perceived shortcomings and reactions of those around him. He certainly cannot be accused of egocentricity in this autobiographical sense.

After playing in bands at pubs and clubs he soon realised he wished to be a solo performer and his association with songwriter Bernie Taupin, was to prove the catalyst to stardom, which his own lyric writing failed to provide. Their association was to be long-lived and very successful in terms of top selling albums. We are not treated to an appendix or listing of album chronology, sales or relative success.

This is an autobiography, without statistics. Other key themes are his sexuality, which was slow to mature, given an initial family based restraint and lack of focus. His marriage to a woman in the form of the sound engineer, Renate Blauel in 1984 drew puzzled looks from those who knew him best. He later founded a long term relationship with David Furnish, to whom he eventually married, when same sex marriages were legalised.

He set up his own Aids Foundation, raising awareness and finances to combat its effect.

Another side of his life is a passion for football and particularly Watford FC, where he would be a regular visitor growing up. Eventually, he became chairman and main financial backer, where his association with Graham Taylor forged Watford from a lower league side to the top division, culminating in an FA. Cup Final performance.

As his success grows he becomes an avid collector of things and memorabilia, which would eventually take up chunks of space at his sizeable mansion. He also developed a drug habit as his disposable income increased but paid a price of undergoing treatment at an American rehabilitation centre.

An entertaining read, with a genuine and open quality, which portrays the world renowned songster in a realistic (well for pop stars, anyway) and engaging fashion.