Me recounts John’s childhood experiences as Reg Dwight, growing up in the 1950s in
Pinner, North London, and his studies at the
Royal Academy of Music. In the early chapters, John describes his early musical influences, collecting
gramophone records and seeing performances at venues such as the
Harrow Granada, including artists such as
Little Richard,
Jerry Lee Lewis and
Eddie Cochran. The book traces Elton John’s career from early days playing piano at the
Northwood Hills Hotel, his first music industry job working at
Mills Music on
Denmark Street in London, and playing with
Bluesology and
Long John Baldry. In the early 1970s, John recalls responding to an advert in
New Musical Express to audition for
Liberty Records. After an unsuccessful audition, John recounts how
Ray Williams put him in touch with lyricist
Bernie Taupin, initiating a celebrated writing partnership that was to last for decades. Throughout the book, John describes his associations with numerous people in the music industry, including his romantic and business partner
John Reid. He covers his various romantic involvements, including his marriage to Renate Blauel. The book contains frequent references to noted cultural figures of the day. John describes a 1976 meeting with
Elvis Presley, whom he found to be in a poor state of mental and physical health. He also writes about his associations and friendships with personalities such as
Elizabeth Taylor,
Rod Stewart,
Freddie Mercury,
John Lennon,
Gianni Versace and
Diana, Princess of Wales. John recounts numerous memorable social occasions, including a dinner in the 1980s when
Sylvester Stallone and
Richard Gere exhibited rivalry over the attentions of Princess Diana. He also describes a socially awkward lunch party in 1993 with
Michael Jackson, who John considered was "genuinely mentally ill" and "disturbing to be around". In various chapters, the book addresses John's
depression and suicide attempts, his
cocaine addiction and
alcoholism, and his later
prostate cancer diagnosis. Recurring topics include his difficult relationship with his mother, his estrangement from his father and the famous "Dwight family temper". He admits he spent his whole career "trying to show my father what I'm made of". In later chapters, John's memoirs reflect on his reaction to the
AIDS pandemic, the loss of friends and colleagues to
HIV/AIDS, his support for
Ryan White and the establishment of the
Elton John AIDS Foundation. John describes the changes to his life following his marriage to
David Furnish, and writes about his family life with their two children. The autobiography culminates with Elton John's final tour,
Farewell Yellow Brick Road. == Publication ==