Sir Elton John has signed a deal believed to be worth up to £6m with publisher Pan Macmillan for a “no holds barred” autobiography, due to hit shelves in 2019.
Macmillan won a fierce bidding war for what it called the “holy grail of publishing”- the first memoirs penned by the singer, famed for his flamboyant lifestyle and brutal honesty about himself and others.
“It’s come as quite a surprise how cathartic I am finding the process of writing my memoirs.” Sir Elton John
The deal, brokered by Andrew “the Jackal” Wylie, the literary agent with a reputation for extracting huge advances for his clients, comfortably surpassed the £800,000 David Cameron is set to receive for his story.
Elton: ‘Cathartic process’ writing memoirs
Ghost-written by music critic Alexis Petridis, the rock memoir promises to be a “no holds barred account of Elton’s life and work as the most enduring singer songwriter of his generation.”
It will cover the singer’s battles with drink and drugs and his campaign to combat the spread of HIV, after living an openly gay life since 1988.
Sir Elton, 69, said: “I’m not prone to being a nostalgic person. I’m often accused of only looking forward to my next gig or creative project.”
“It’s come as quite a surprise how cathartic I am finding the process of writing my memoirs.”
“As I look back, I realise what a crazy life I have had the extreme privilege of living.
“I have grown up in a period of extraordinary change in our world – and have had the joyful honour of rubbing shoulders and working with so many of the people at the heart of these changes.”
The singer added: “My life has been one helluva rollercoaster ride and it’s still lumbering on. I hope readers will enjoy the ride too.”
The ‘holy grail’ of publishing
Jeremy Trevathan, Publisher, Macmillan UK, added, “Elton John’s memoir is a Holy Grail of book publishing. Publishers around the world have long contemplated the excitement and potential of such a wonderful project.”
“When the material arrived we were overwhelmed by how authentic, open, charming and, yes, commercial it was.”
“I’m more than proud that we will be working with Elton and David to bring out this fantastic book.”
Sir Elton’s book is the latest in a wave of memoirs from rock’s elder statesman. Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run topped the bestseller lists this month.
Keith Richards, Morrissey, Sting and Neil Young and Bob Dylan have told their stories with Phil Collins set to join the list next week.
