Me Summary

How does a shy boy from suburban London, raised in a strained household, transform into one of music's most flamboyant and iconic personalities?

1. A Childhood Marked by Unhappiness

Elton John’s early years were not filled with warmth or encouragement. Raised in a working-class household in the suburbs of London during the late 1940s and ’50s, his upbringing was challenging.

His parents, Stanley and Sheila, had a tumultuous relationship. His father was often cold and overly strict, punishing Elton for trivial reasons like how he wore his school blazer. Sheila’s behavior was equally troubling, as she sometimes resorted to physical punishment, like beating the two-year-old Elton during potty training. Their constant fighting, coupled with their different ways of managing Elton, created a stifling environment.

Even after they divorced, Elton’s relationship with both parents remained strained. His father never acknowledged his musical achievements and refused to attend his concerts, while his mother controlled and criticized him well into adulthood. Remarkably, Elton went on to thrive, despite deeply affecting relationships that never gave him approval or unconditional love.

Examples

• His father disapproved of him in every aspect, never attending a single concert.
• Sheila openly criticized Elton’s lifestyle, even on his wedding day to David Furnish.
• Despite becoming wealthy, Elton’s relationship with his parents didn’t allow him to feel truly validated.

2. A Natural Talent for Music

Elton’s love for and talent in music appeared early. By age three, he could play melodies on the piano after hearing them only once. This prodigious gift was the only real solace in his childhood.

Even as a child, he obsessed over pop music and saved money to buy records. A pivotal moment came when he first saw and heard Elvis Presley, who became his idol. Yet, his passion for rock and roll clashed with his father’s desire for him to focus solely on classical piano.

His raw talent got him admitted into the Royal Academy of Music at just eleven years old. Although his classical training was rigorous, Elton dreamed of playing pop music. Sometimes, instead of attending his lessons, he spent hours on the subway fantasizing about the music he truly loved.

Examples

• Memorized songs and played them perfectly on the piano as a toddler.
• Was profoundly inspired by records from Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis.
• Passed the entrance exam for the prestigious Royal Academy of Music early on.

3. Years of Struggle Before Success

Elton John’s path to stardom wasn’t instantaneous. Starting at 15, he worked grueling jobs as a musician, playing at pubs and covering songs in studios.

While a teenager, he joined a struggling band called Bluesology and spent years on the road, playing small venues. His work as a session musician often left him imitating others and recording songs in ways that embarrassed him. Despite the low pay, these experiences sharpened his performance skills and gave him patience.

It wasn’t until 1970 that he got his big break. After years of perseverance, his self-titled album received glowing reviews, and his performance at the Troubadour nightclub in Los Angeles skyrocketed him to fame.

Examples

• Played in pubs where brawls routinely disrupted his set.
• Recorded humorous, awkward renditions of songs like “Young, Gifted, and Black.”
• His breakthrough Troubadour gig was packed with music legends who recognized his talent.

4. A Chance Collaboration Created Iconic Songs

Elton’s partnership with Bernie Taupin was pure serendipity and remains one of the most successful songwriting collaborations in history. It played a vital role in launching his career.

In 1967, Elton failed an audition but was handed a random envelope containing Bernie’s lyrics. He connected instantly with Bernie’s writing, and they began collaborating. While struggling to gain attention, the duo shared a room at Elton’s mother’s house and endured numerous rejections together.

Their efforts paid off with “Your Song,” a track that Elton composed in minutes using Bernie’s lyrics, setting them on the path to fame. Together, they created dozens of hits over the decades, cementing their legacy.

Examples

• Met due to a music producer randomly picking Bernie’s lyrics to give to Elton.
• Lived together in bunk beds while trying to make ends meet.
• “Your Song” became one of their earliest successes and is now iconic.

5. Fame Brought Eccentric Encounters

Elton’s fame introduced him to unforgettable moments and bizarre experiences with fellow celebrities and royalty.

He once mistook a disguised Bob Dylan for a gardener at his own party, asking him to leave. Another time, he dressed as a gorilla and joined Iggy Pop’s stage performance, only to be hurled off by security. And at a dinner party, he witnessed Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere almost coming to blows, apparently vying for Princess Diana's attention.

Even Queen Elizabeth danced with Elton at Prince Andrew’s 21st party, a surreal experience where the creaking floors almost drowned out the barely audible music.

Examples

• Failed to recognize Bob Dylan at a house party.
• Accidentally sparked a fight between Stallone and Gere at his home.
• Danced uncomfortably with the Queen due to near-silent music.

6. Conquering Addiction

Elton’s struggles with addiction consumed much of his adult life. He turned to cocaine, thinking it would cure his anxiety and shyness. Its effects initially made him feel invincible, but it also fueled destructive behavior.

Cocaine-induced binges often left Elton disconnected from his actions. On one occasion, he woke up to learn he had purchased a tram carriage requiring helicopters to deliver. He also battled bulimia, resorting to binge-eating and purging.

Ultimately, Elton entered rehab in 1990 after a particularly dark period. Though initially reluctant, he stayed committed and has been sober ever since. Rehab also allowed him to feel like a human again, not just a megastar.

Examples

• Twice walked out of rehab but returned to complete treatment.
• Recounted forgetting a tram purchase while high.
• Inspired close friends like Rufus Wainwright to also seek rehab.

7. Embracing New Artistic Challenges

Rather than cling to past glory, Elton embraced new artistic ventures throughout his career. He explored theater, film, and poignant public performances.

In the 1990s, he composed music for Disney’s The Lion King, winning an Academy Award for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” He also rearranged “Candle in the Wind” to honor Princess Diana at her funeral. Watching her family’s grief made this an emotional but defining moment in his career.

These projects, far different from his rock roots, allowed him to thrive creatively.

Examples

• Won an Oscar for writing The Lion King music.
• Tailored “Candle in the Wind” lyrics for Diana’s memorial.
• Chose to stop performing the Diana version to preserve its sacredness.

8. Finding Love and Stability

Despite years of heartbreak, Elton found lasting love with David Furnish. In marrying David, Elton also embraced fatherhood, adopting two boys who have transformed his life.

Their partnership is grounded in mutual respect and shared values. David’s influence also put distance between Elton and his mother’s manipulative tendencies, notably sparking Sheila’s display of resentment at their wedding.

Fatherhood has given Elton a deeper source of joy, and his family life reflects the love he long sought as a child.

Examples

• Married David Furnish in 2005 despite familial tensions.
• Fathers two children through surrogacy, prioritizing them in his life.
• Credits his family with balancing his personal and professional worlds.

9. Accepting Peaks and Valleys

Elton realized early that extraordinary fame doesn’t last forever. He reached the pinnacle of his career during a 1976 show at Dodger Stadium, after which he consciously embraced the ebb and flow of long-term stardom.

Rather than obsess over maintaining success, Elton diversified his artistic output and cherished his earlier achievements. This acceptance has helped him avoid professional burnout while tackling creative pursuits in different realms.

Examples

• Declared his 1976 performance as the peak and focused on evolving from there.
• Worked on musical adaptations like Billy Elliot.
• Doesn't aim to top his past but enjoys alternative creative projects.

Takeaways

1. Embrace your past, even the painful parts, as a foundation for growth and success.
2. Collaborate with others to achieve goals you cannot reach alone.
3. Seek help and support when facing personal struggles—it’s never too late to start over.