Elton: The Biography Review

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Elton: The Biography ReviewIn his 60-odd years on earth, Elton John has been, first and foremost, a gifted composer, spirited performer and recording star with worldwide sales of 200 million+ albums including 21 platinum albums; a workoholic; a drug addict; an alcoholic; a multi-millionaire whose shopping excesses have become legend; a hetereosexual; a homosexual;, an AIDS crusader and humanitarian of the first rank; a unbelieveably generous, caring friend who can throw hissy fits at the drop of a hat; and, in 1997, a knight of the realm. Author David Buckley details the life of this complicated, conflicted musical superstar in this entertaining, even-handed book from Chicago Review Press.
Pudgy, balding, gap-toothed, four-eyed piano player Reginald Dwight was probably the most unlikely candidate for pop superstardom ever when he began playing piano for the Bluesology group in 1962. Yet, within a few years, the now-rechristened Elton John, having mated his gift for memorable musical melodies with the lyrics of collaborator/ lyricist Bernie Taupin, would became a major force in the music industry, creating such masterpieces as 'Daniel,' 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting,' 'Your Song' and 'Crocodile Rock.'
The first third of Buckley's book covers the years 1947 to 1974 and detail the making of "Elton John, Superstar." Seeing Reg Dwight morph into Elton John, create the wonderful songs (and others) mentioned above and develop his larger-than life persona makes for fun reading.
Sadly, despite the ever-growing success of Elton the performer, Elton the person remained an unhappy man, hobbled by low self-esteem and uncertainty about his sexuality dating from his childhood. Those inner demons subsequently developed into deep self-loathing. In the early 1970s those demons combined with a cocaine addiction and alcoholism to set Elton on a ten-year downward spiral, as described in the at-times depressing middle third of the book.
The man and the music suffered in equal amounts until the death of AIDS victim Ryan White in 1990 showed Elton the insanity of his lifestyle. The years since, which form the final third of the book, have seen him rebound, creating new music, some of it the equal of "golden years" titles and finding a whole new audience via his 'Lion King' score. And it seems he has finally conquered those inner demons and found some peace of mind.
Buckley's book is an entertaining, incisive look at Elton's life and career. The author's comments on the music and the man are thoughtful, insightful and entertaining. Buckley has a marvelous way with phrases ("...the audience are clapping like seals at feeding time..."). Likewise he sprinkles the text with a number of quotes or observations from Elton and his contemporaries, business partners and friends that show us the person behind the legend. Elton, in particular, comes across as a witty, drop-dead honest and analytical individual, especially about himself. By book's end, you have learned a great deal about that pudgy, gap-toothed guy and you're happy he's "still standing after all this time."
Recommended.Elton: The Biography Overview

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