Sir Elton: The Definitive Biography

by Philip Norman

He was born Reginald Kenneth White in 1947, and he began his career in his teens pounding the piano in a pub. The world, though, would know him as Elton John, the name that for the past three decades has epitomized rock-music superstardom. From blockbuster albums like Friends and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road in the 1970s to award-winning scores in the nineties for the film and Broadway show The Lion King and the current stage hit Aida, Elton John has never failed to dazzle his audiences—and never more so than at the funeral of his close friend Diana, Princess of Wales, when he moved an entire nation with his poignant and powerful performance of “Candle in the Wind 1997” (“Goodbye England’s Rose”). Epically conceived and masterfully told, Philip Norman’s biography of the inimitable, legendary Elton John searches out the man behind the performer in glittering costumes and sky-high boots. Norman explores the draining addictions, the failed marriage, attempted suicides, a multimillionaire’s supposed money troubles. He examines Elton’s compulsions and coming out; he illuminates the creative drive that continues prodigiously and brilliantly to produce new music. What emerges is a frank, sympathetic portrait so truthful that Elton himself has said, “He’s got me spot on.”

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction, History

592 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm about a third of the way through. Disappointed so far. This book is a bit tedious putting way too much emphasis on irrelevant facts. I want to know about Elton, not just a chronological listing of all the gigs and people he met that got him where he is. What’s he like? I still don't have a real sense of him. I'll keep going, but I must admit to skimming a few pages in the process of finishing this book.

Gave up... Elton really should have written his own biography. I think they are much better when they are written in the first person or maybe it is just that I prefer them that way.

[Bookish Enchantment (Katherine Quirke) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sensitive and articulated unauthorised biography of Elton John. In fact Elton has favorably stated that this is quite an accurate account of his life.

Only Elton can fill in the gaps.

For compelling reading by Philip Norman and for a great insight to the life of a legendary music star.

[dyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phillip Norman focuses on forming a clear picture of Elton throughout his journey, supported by anecdotes from people who knew him personally. The downside to this is that he lets their opinion blindly override some aspects of Elton’s. For instance, Elton’s politeness from childhood was written as a running theme of his personality, however his temper tantrums in later years conflicted this idea. From Norman’s discussions with Stephen James, he seems to pity Dick James throughout, citing his role as a father figure to Elton. As a heterosexual man, he doesn’t properly address Elton’s sexuality, which is understandable. However, the ambition to create a clear picture of Elton really paid off in the detailed interpretation of his childhood, which I have yet to find a better account of.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty comprehensive biography published in 1991 when Elton was 43, with subsequent short update section ten years later.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

#110 of 120 books pledged to read during 2018

Philip Norman wrote a good biography of the Beatles many years ago, but this 1991 book (with an updated 1998 section to include Princess Diana's funeral) is just loaded with factual errors. Not only that, the author thought every album I liked was terrible, and vice versa, so that didn't help any. Look elsewhere for a good biography of Elton John.

[Anna Bak · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last 200/150 pages of this books is just plain awful writing, mostly. Biased, gossipy, contradictory.
In general: Come on, “Daisy Duck?”
A big number of many people’s opinions on Elton’s sexuality, about how he really is... straight. Just as though the author of the book wanted to believe it himself. Come on (2.)
Unnecessary comments on Elton’s appearance every few pages.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well told biography including plenty of commentary from people in Elton's life. I found this as enjoyable and more detailed than the Rocket man movie that was recently made. Definitely complemented what I remembered from the movie.

[Stephen Higham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a Philip Norman biography. So readable, so detailed. It was fun listening to this after Elton’s autobiography - three times the length and covers about 2/3s of the EJ story. Mostly it’s interesting to see what aspects of his own life EJ prioritises (remembers).

[Chris C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think if you're an Elton fan then why not read this, I thought it was ok and I'm not a massive fan.

[George Kingsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love reading Philip Norman's rock biographies, there's something about his style that elevates them above the countless other sensationalist 'tell all' books. Where most writers would focus on the juicy bits that will have fans foaming at the mouths with tales of endless groupies, expensive drug habits and raucous inebriated adventures, Norman is a true journalist at heart and focuses on the details big and the small.

Norman researches his subjects in almost too methodical manner, finding press clippings from long-defunct local newspapers or interviewing office boys, distant relatives and even the smallest of traffic that have passed through the life of famous face, I really admire his professionalism and lack of embellishment.

Where other books would paint a non-stop picture of Elton snorting and cavorting his way through the seventies in a wide variety of garish sequinned outfits, Norman also recognizes the artist who preferred inanimate objects to people and listened to the Top 40 every Sunday evening.

Like with all Norman's books, the author can't resist psychoanalyzing his subjects, aided with some rather cod-philosophy on the life and purpose of a rock star. During these bits, you can't help wondering whether the author would rather be on the stage than behind a keyboard!

Though there is some indirect co-operation with Elton, you can't help believe that there is a lot of guesswork afoot, though I recognize this is a sin of all unauthorized biographies (perhaps even some autobiographies too!)

I was disappointed that this updated version of the book didn't seem to cover anything past the 90's at length, but rather skimming past a few key milestones.

Having said that I had a great time reading this book and enjoyed it much more than Elton's autobiography, which it in itself is more of a patchwork of recollections rather than a life story.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid overview up until the late 80s, and I think this was one of the first bios to come out, so it broke some ground in that respect. That said, it was written initially in 1990ish, with an update in 2000, so it's now 20-30 years out of date with some things, which feels especially dated in the author's handling of addiction and sexuality in particular (the explanation of bisexuality could not be more "well-meaning but utterly clueless 1990 straight dude Explains Homos" if it tried). Some superbly absurd anecdotes appeared here for the first time, though.

[Debi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I decided to read this after watching the film, to see if it shed a different light on his upbringing. It does. Who to believe?

[Neil Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mostly enjoyed this book, particularly up to the mid 70's era, with its in depth analysis of his childhood and early career. After that it just seemed to tail off a little.