Curtain up for the piano handstand: The London wax museum “Madame Tussauds” presents its “most structurally complex” figure to date: Elton John, playing the piano, with both feet in the air.
The “Rocket Man” – he flies again
The new sculpture, which will be unveiled on December 20, depicts a moment from the early days of Elton John’s high-flying career – literally. The Baker Street attraction is based on the 1975 Midsummer Music Festival performance at Wembley Stadium. The singer – blue glitter jumpsuit, large glasses, platform boots – floats on his grand piano, anchored only with his hands on the keys:
“Elton John is a true living legend and colorful personality, so we knew we had to go above and beyond to create this character,” commented Steve Blackburn, wax museum manager, in a statement. “Capturing Elton’s phenomenal stage presence – and his iconic keyboard handstand – in one figure is quite a challenge, and the result is one of our most technically demanding figures to date.” The songwriter had worked with the sculptors before, the first time in 1976.
The stunts are history
Although he is in good company next to the likenesses of pop and rock greats such as Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Amy Winehouse, Freddie Mercury and David Bowie, the 77-year-old seems far from being ready for the museum. In 2023, the pianist celebrated his stage farewell on his five-year tour “Farewell Yellow Brick Road”. However, he recently announced that he wanted to continue writing new music.
“The fire never went out. And it will never run out because I’m always looking for new things. Now I just have the freedom to do it at my own pace,” said the recently almost blind musician on “The Late Night Show.” Despite health setbacks, he was convinced: “Of course there will be new Elton John music.” In September, his eyesight had deteriorated dramatically after an infection in the summer in southern France, which is currently making it difficult for him to write and read.