Elton, My Elton

by Gary Clarke

This biography of Elton John, the man who single-handedly accounts for some ten per cent of international music sales, is a mixture of personal experience, rock history and social comment that traces his life between the late 1970s and the 1990s. The book tells the turbulent tale of high times on the rock-star circuit, and the extravagant and extraordinary event of his own the drugs, the guys and the entourage, the battles and the bravado, as well as his sudden and traumatic marriage with Renate Blauel, a German tape operator. It also reveals the softer side of Elton, the strong relationship he has with his mother and especially his triumph over drug excesses.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Peter Mueller]

I actually didn't expect too much picking up this book to read about one of Elton's lovers but it is actually very well-written, fast paced, includes a lot of information not available but of interest to a long-term EJ fan, and is brazenly honest to boot. Elton's own autobiography skims over some of what Gary Clarke long before had disclosed, and I actually found Clarke's book to be even more readable and interesting than Elton's book 'Me' itself.

If you are an Elton John fan and enjoyed his new autobiography, this book will take you right into EJs world circa '83 and '84 and bring it to life even more than what Elton's own book did.

[YikesDepartment]

Nobody wins. Gary they could never make me hate you.

Fantastic read. Some of the only real insight we have into Elton’s personal life during the 80s. I feel so bad for everyone involved.

[Emily]

An interesting read but there are several glaring inaccuracies that I can’t overlook. Plus it ended on a pretty mean and bitter note.

[Gary Ego]

Absolute nonsensical drivel written by a bitter egomaniac seeking to capitalise an Eltons fame. I found this book a snore fest and an astronomical waist of my time.

[Katherine]

Reading Update: Three chapters in and I'm gripped in a way I never expected to be by a book by one of Elton John's ex-boyfriends. There's an almost horror movie element to this, like watching a car crash in slow motion, a pervading ickiness to the whole proceedings that makes me want to shout 'Run, Gary, run! Run away from Elton John and his many, many red flags!' As Elton said in later interviews, before rehab he didn't have relationships, he took hostages.