Rocket Man

In a new book, legendary celebrity photographer Terry O’Neill celebrates Elton John’s life

- Emma Babbington

As one of the most important celebrity photographers of his generation, Terry O’Neill has documented the lives of rock stars, actors and royals since the 1960s. Elton John, The Definitive Portrait, with Unseen Images, is a pictorial biography of the legendary pop star and includes some of O’Neill’s most famous images of the singer as well as previously unpublished photographs; from publicity shots to his life on stage, as well as more intimate, behind the scenes pictures.

In the following extract, the 81-year-old London-born photographer reveals how he first met and photographed John at his London home in 1972.