With first-hand accounts from the people who knew him best, this book details Sir Elton's formative years: from training as a classical pianist at the Royal Academy of Music; his time as a jobbing songwriter in London's Tin Pan Alley; performing his first live gigs; and his eventual rise to superstardom in the '70s. Packed with exclusive interviews with everyone from Elton's first piano teacher through to band mates in Bluesology and the Elton John Band, managers Ray Williams and John Reid, collaborators such as Kiki Dee and Rick Wakeman along with personal friends.