David Hirshey, the HarperCollins editor who brought in Pete Townshend’s memoir has been quoted saying, “It appears that the entire Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is now sitting in front of the computer.” It seems Sir Elton John, too, has been tapping away on a different keyboard than his usual.

Once a leader among hedonistic pop stars, John’s decades-long battle with drink and drugs–as well as his sexual escapades–were notorious, even in the no-holds-barred world of rock and roll. Today, still outrageous in style and humor, the now be-knighted John is responsible for many charitable works, chief among then the Elton John Aids Foundation he started in 1992.

The first full autobiography by the flamboyant, multiple Grammy-winning superstar is being co-written by and music critic Alex Petridis, English journalist, head rock and pop critic for the UK newspaper The Guardian. Publisher Henry Holt (Macmillan) has described the book as “a no-holds-barred account of Elton’s life and work.” Known for his outrageous style and behavior, his sense of humor and for his universal likability, Sir Elton’s life should be worth a read. (Macmillian reportedly believes it’s worth at least 6,000,000 pounds sterling ($7.3MM USD), ’cause that’s what they paid Sir Elton.)

Book sales are down, but rock memoirs are on the rise, with Keith Richards’ Life (Back Bay), Slash’s Slash (HarperCollins), Steven Tyler’s Does the Nose in My Head Bother You? (Ecco) and Sammy Hagar’s Red (HarperCollins) among the high-earners on Amazon. We’re betting Sir Elton’s will join that Best-seller list.