The Many Lives of Elton John is the enlightening story of Reg Dwight. A child who longed to be loved, he was mentally abused by his father and bullied by his classmates. In his character Elton John, Reg's dream became reality... at least on the surface. He could hide behind extravagant costumes. And he found solace in giving expensive gifts to friends, enjoying afternoon teas with Queen Elizabeth, indulging in mammoth shopping sprees at Cartier's, collecting art and antiques, and alternating between eating binges and fad diets.

A confessed alcoholic, he was prompted to stop drinking only by the death of AIDS victim and close friend Ryan White. Prone to mood swings and depression, Elton has made many enemies. He considered suicide rather than marry fiancée Linda Woodrow. And the only dialogue he has had with his father is their bitter exchanges on the tabloids. "Quite frankly, some of his songs are rubbish," Stanley Dwight says.

Elton's professional life has also been tainted by anger and enmity. Ray Williams, the talent scout who paired him with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, was fired as a result of Elton's irrational tantrums. Steve James lays the responsibility for the death of his music publisher father, Dick James, on Elton, blaming John's prolonged and venomous litigation. Elton's relathionship with Taupin has had many highs and lows as well.

Stanley Dwight has said that his son's career is based largely on luck, but The Many Lives of Elton John shows how real talent and determination can overcome countless obstacles.

The authors' extensive research included personal interviews with friends, family, and colleagues.

Al meer dan twintig jaar lang is Elton John één van de meest consistente, succescolle muzikanten ter wereld. Te dik, onaantrekkelijk en biseksueel is hij niet het prototype van een superster. Dit is het verbijsterende relaas over zijn weg naar het sterrendom, een reis, die net zo onwerkelijk is als zijn extravagante optredens.

Elton John is het verhelderende verhaal van Reg Dwight. Het naar liefde hunkerende kind werd geestelijk mishandeld door zijn vader en gepest door zijn klasgenootjes. In de persoon Elton John werd Reg's droom werkelijkheid... tenminste, aan de oppervlakte. Hij kon zich verschuilen achter buitensporige podiumkledij. En hij vond troost in het geven van dure cadeau's aan vrienden, ging op theevisite bij koningin Elizabeth, en leefde zich uit tijdens het winkelen bij Cartiers, het verzamelen van kunst en antiek en wisselde strenge diëten af met grote feesten.

Als erkend alcoholicus kon alleen de dood van een AIDS-slachtoffer, zijn goede vriend Ryan White, hem ertoe brengen met het drinken te stoppen. Ten prooi aan grote stemmingswisselingen en depressies, heeft Elto vele vijanden gemaakt. Hij overwoog zelfmoord te plegen, in plaats van met zijn verloofde Linda Woodrow te trouwen. En de enige manier waarop hij met zijn vader communiceerde, was via hun bittere dialoog in de schandaalpers. 'Om eerlijk te zijn, sommige van zijn liedjes zijn waardeloos; de carrière van mijn zoon is voornamelijk gebaseerd op geluk,' zegt Stanley Dwight.

Maar Elton John bewijst, hoe werkelijk talent en doorzettingsvermogen ontelbare obstakels kan overwinnen.

Het uitgebreide onderzoek van de auteurs bestond uit interviews met vrienden, familie en collega's.

'The gentleman you've all been waiting for,,, the biggest, most colosssal, gigantic, fantastic ELTON JOHN!'

Dressed like the Statue of Liberty, Elton John croons, belts and roars his way through twenty-four songs at New York's Madison Square Garden. The stage set is a mock-up of an old Wurlitzer jukebox and its centrepiece is a saucer-shaped, silver-painted fibreglass piano that changes colours to fit the mood of each tune. Using his emotive baritone while pounding the keys of his piano, he fills the huge arena with rock 'n' roll, alternating between ballads, tender and mawkish, and buoyantly melodic pop-gospel tunes. Hit follows hit, ranging over the maudlin 'Funeral for a Friend', the melancholic 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me', the winsome 'Your Song' and one of the most evocative ballads of the decade, 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'.

As a performer, musician, and superstar, he ranks with the best in popular music. But despite his flamboyance and fame, surprisingly little is known about the personal history of the piano-pounding prodigy who began life as Reggie Dwight.

Now, in this ground-breaking book, bestselling biographer Philip Norman charts the epic course if Elton John's career - from his early days at a pub for pennies to his glittery peak as a rock icon of the 1970s, from his beginnings as an introverted singer-songwriter toh his recent roles as impresario, spokesperson, and celebrity.

Updated to include an exclusive conversation with Elton John, this sympathetic and probing portrait reveals not only the rock legent but also the complex, multifaceted man behind some of the best-known and best-loved songs of our times.

As his career gained momentum in the early Seventies Elton bubbled over with enthusiasm for rock and pop music and the music industry in general. Like a child given free reign in a toy shop, he rarely refuses an interview, whether it was with the then influential and all important music press or less important local media, and he always had a considered but frank opinion on the state iof his career, the state of rock or whatever it was that was on his mind at the time, musical or otherwise. He became a favorite with interviewers, and while he could never be accused of manipulating the media as skilfully as Bob Dylan or David Bowie, he was always good for a quote and never afraid to speak his mind.

Dieser Band von Jörg Fischer zeichnet in Text und Bild die lange Karriere des Künstlers nach.

Elton John was to bring originality, both in terms of music composition and stage presence, to the pop scene for over twenty years.

Through sheer determination and ambition, Elton made it to the top, though it was not easy. He struggled through problems with his weight, an unsuccessful marriage and a traumatic libel case, but he continued into the nineties still making hit records and donating time and money to AIDS charities. Elton John came through it all as one of pop music's most outrageous entertainers.

Since 1988 he has continued his enthusiasm for collecting in different fields. He loves the paintings, pottery and porcelain of the 18th and 19th Century. This has in no way diminished his interest in jewellery. As Elton himself has said 'Collecting is my passion. I love wearing my jewellery and I can't stop buying more and more.'

The jewels in this sale illustrate both his sense of style, his appreciation of fine quality and his gift of not taking himself too seriously.

Signed, The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Gowrie, Chairman Sotheby's Europe

Elton John contains over 90 photographs of the star in concert, behind the scenes, and in private. Featuring a discography and a comprehensive text, this book will delight Elton John fans who remember the glory days and those who are rediscovering his talents, or are discovering them for the first time.

Elton John and Bernie Taupin's creative relationship spans three decades. It began in 1967 when Taupin replied to an advertisement, looking for new talent, in New Musical Express. He had been writing poetry for some years and sent in a collection of lyrics; Elton John immediately began composing music to accompany them. This set the tone for their working relationship which produced some of the most well-known and popular songs in the world, from the rocking Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting,' 'The Bitch is Back,' 'Daniel,' and 'I'm Still Standing' to the poignant 'Candle In The Wind,' 'Sacrifice,' 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' and 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.' All were written in the longstanding and highly productive partnership of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Elton John and Bernie Taupin: The Complete Lyrics brings another interpretation to the songs. In this lavishly designed and presented book, Taupin's lyrics are brought to life with artworks by modern artists - famous and unknown - utilizing a multitude of techniques and media to create images which are arresting, beautiful and striking. The book also includes photographs covering John and Taupin's lives and careers, some of which have rarely been seen before. This volume is a perfect companion to this songwriting partnership's work and a wonderful celebration of its timeless qualities.

»Gewissenhaft recherchiert, kritisch geschrieben und spannend zu lesen gelingt hier ein Bildnis der Zwischentöne im Aufstieg des Popgenies, wie es in der Öffentlichkeit noch nie zu erfahren war.«