Dressed in a flamboyant devil’s outfit, Elton John enters an addiction rehabilitation session, and recounts his life in a flashback (The Bitch Is Back). Young Reginald Dwight grows up in 1950s Britain, raised by his cold, unaffectionate mother, Sheila, and more loving grandmother Ivy. Reginald is interested in music and hopes to perform for his father, Stanley, who takes no interest in his son nor his talent (I Want Love). Reginald begins piano lessons, eventually making his way into the Royal Academy of Music. Stanley abandons his family after Sheila has an affair with another man. Reginald develops interest in rock music, and begins performing in local pubs (Saturday Night’s Alright). As an adult, Reginald joins the band Bluesology, which is hired to play backup for a touring American soul band. One of its singers recommends that Reginald write some songs and put his old life behind him if he wants to become a famous artist. This inspires Reginald to change his name to Elton John.