Sir Elton

Description

'Norman writes like an angel . . . anyone who can read will admire the intelligence, the detail and the robust good sense of this biography. It captures the flavour of the times every bit as distinctively as it captures the personality of Elton John' Sunday Telegraph Elton John is one of the biggest stars in the world, a man whose extraordinary career has resulted in timeless songs and sold-out world tours. But how did the sensitive boy from Pinner, who started out pounding the piano in a pub, become such an iconic figure? Philip Norman's acclaimed biography paints a frank but sympathetic portrait, from Elton's rise to success to the attempted suicides, from Watford football club chairman to flamboyant Versace shopaholic, from the draining addictions to his turbulent personal relationships and the extraordinary moment in Westminster Abbey when 'Candle in the Wind' turned into a requiem for his friend Diana Princess of Wales. Covering the first five decades of Elton's life, setting him in the context of the changing music scene, this is a vivid, perceptive, superbly researched account of a musical legend.

Philip Norman was born in London and brought up in Ryde, Isle of Wight. He joined the Sunday Times at the age of 22 and became a renowned interviewer for its iconic colour magazine with subjects ranging from Elizabeth Taylor and Little Richard to P.G. Wodehouse and the Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. In 1981, he published Shout!, a ground-breaking biography of the Beatles which has been continuously in print ever since and is regarded as the definitive history of the band. This was followed by internationally-bestselling biographies of the Rolling Stones, Buddy Holly, John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton. He has also written novels (becoming one of the original 20 Best of Young British Novelists) short stories, radio and TV plays and two stage musicals, This Is Elvis and Laughter In The Rain: the Neil Sedaka Story.

He's got me spot on * Elton John * Norman writes like an angel, Sir Elton could talk the hind leg off a donkey, and anyone who can read will admire the intelligence, the detail and the robust good sense of this biography. It captures the flavour of the times every bit as distinctively as it captures the personality of Elton John' * Sunday Telegraph * This biography stands as a definitive insight into the life of the balding, bespectacled pub pianist who conquered the world' * The Times * Eloquent, analytic, erudite but never dull, Norman writes with a verve and vitality which is well-suited to his colourful subject' * Yorkshire Post *