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KiKi's Reviews > Me
Me
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Growing up in a middle class, Black Jamaican-Canadian immigrant Christian household, music usually consisted of gospel with snippets of reggae (and bits of New Jack Swing and 90s R&B on my little yellow Walkman tucked away under the duvet as my mother told me after my baptism ‘worldly’ music would be my downfall. Whatever, Mom). But it also consisted of countless hours of CHFI, the popular Toronto soft rock station. Elton John’s endless string of hits played, adding to the soundtrack of my life. It’s hard to name a favourite with “Sad Songs (Say So Much)”, “Bennie and the Jets”, “The Bitch Is Back”, “Nikita”...but a mainstay is “Healing Hands”. I can’t explain it other than one word: “triumphant”.
Living in a fairly sheltered existence I knew very few gay people; all but one were celebrities and one was Uncle Elton (respect for elders by calling them “Aunty” or “Uncle” is prevalent in immigrant or Black American culture). I didn’t know what it meant to be gay or what it involved. I just knew Uncle Elton was living his truth and making great music that contributed to my 80s childhood.
And what a truth. Uncle Elton doesn’t shy away from it - he describes his horrible temper, rampant drug use, abusive relationships, being a “fkboy” (as the millennials say) and the music. Man, the music. I especially noted his connection to Black artists and the love he received from Detroit radio stations, Queen Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and even a performance on “Soul Train”.
His humour is second to none. I laughed at several parts; his ongoing nonsense with Rod Stewart takes the cake (the sign “takedown” was particularly hilarious).
What a life, man. Easily one of my favourite biographies. Now to see him in concert (hopefully) after COVID-19 exits stage left.
Living in a fairly sheltered existence I knew very few gay people; all but one were celebrities and one was Uncle Elton (respect for elders by calling them “Aunty” or “Uncle” is prevalent in immigrant or Black American culture). I didn’t know what it meant to be gay or what it involved. I just knew Uncle Elton was living his truth and making great music that contributed to my 80s childhood.
And what a truth. Uncle Elton doesn’t shy away from it - he describes his horrible temper, rampant drug use, abusive relationships, being a “fkboy” (as the millennials say) and the music. Man, the music. I especially noted his connection to Black artists and the love he received from Detroit radio stations, Queen Aretha, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and even a performance on “Soul Train”.
His humour is second to none. I laughed at several parts; his ongoing nonsense with Rod Stewart takes the cake (the sign “takedown” was particularly hilarious).
What a life, man. Easily one of my favourite biographies. Now to see him in concert (hopefully) after COVID-19 exits stage left.
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