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Love is the Cure: On Life, Loss, and the End of AIDS by Elton John
Book review of the iconic performer’s memoir.
With Elton John’s global three-year farewell tour currently underway and the United States release of “Rocketman,” the musical fantasy biopic about the iconic performer, it’s timely to revisit the singer’s 2012 memoir, Love is the Cure: On Life, Loss and the End of AIDS.
Elton John is a born storyteller. Through his music, John and longtime collaborator and lyricist Bernie Taupin have given the world countless unforgettable, moving words. Many of those songs are about love and in Love is the Cure, John writes candidly about how the world needs more of it — particularly in regard to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Love is the Cure provides a historical overview of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and a reminder of those lost to the disease, especially in the early mysterious, stigma-filled years. In particular, John writes poignantly about his friendship with Ryan White and his family, and the impact that the teenager made on him. During those years, John was spinning out of control with addictions to cocaine and food, and it was only until after White died that John was able to use his fame and connections to do something positive about the AIDS epidemic that…
